By Jack Heverin
Close enough was unfortunately not good enough for Frankston, who slumped to their fifth successive loss on Mothers Day to Williamstown.
In near perfect conditions at Frankston Park, the agony amongst the Dolphins players after the final siren was obvious in the 21.13 (139) to 20.13 (133) loss, as the realisation set in that they lost a game they should not have.
It was Williamstown who did the early running, kicking seven goals to take a 29 point lead into quarter time. Frankston appeared stunned, as the Seagulls moved the ball from end to end with precision.
A stern quarter time speech from Dolphins coach Shannon Grant jolted the home side into action, as they went on a rampage kicking 10 goals for the term. When ruckman Brett Dore goaled at the 29 minute mark, the Dolphins hit the front to cap an amazing quarter of football.
Much of the second half was a shootout, with both sides playing attacking and direct football, having no issues finding an avenue to goal. The lead continually changed as both sides continued to take the game on.
In an epic final quarter, Williamstown struck first through another superb goal from sharpshooter Patrick Rose, though Frankston struck back 90 seconds later through Dale Whelan.
Bulldogs listed youngster Jarrad Grant goaled to push the Seagulls lead out to 13 points with 10 minutes to go, however everyone at Frankston Park knew the match was far from over.
Dolphins cumber Shane McDonald put the Dolphins within three points minutes later, however Rose capped a superb game with his seventh goal to give Williamstown some breathing space.
A goal to Aaron Murray at the 30 minute mark put Frankston within one straight kick, however they simply ran out of time in a superb contest.
For the winners, Rose was superb up forward and looked dangerous whenever the ball was in his vicinity.
Onballers Callan Ward and Ben Davies found the ball with ease, while Wade Skipper worked tirelessly in the ruck all afternoon.
In defeat, Marcus Marigliani was superb through the middle of the ground all afternoon. After a slow start to the season, it appears as though Marigliani has found some much needed confidence.
Aaron Murray presented well at full forward to finish with six majors, while Justin Berry was kicking them from every angle of the ground with four. Youngsters Michael Hibberd and Paul Rogasch were very important in Frankston's back half.
No doubt the Dolphins coaching staff will feel they did all the running in the match and should have come away with the four points in front of their vocal home crowd.
Frankston 2.5 12.7 16.10 20.13 (133)
| Williamstown 7.4 12.4 16.9 21.13 (139)
GOALS:Frankston: Murray 6 Berry 4 Whelan 3 Dickson 2 Proctor 2 McDonald 2 Dore
Williamstown: Rose 7 Grant 3 O'Keefe 2 Little 2 Egan 2 Ward 2 Galea Skipper Callan
BEST:Frankston: Dickson Rogasch Magner Murray Hibberd Marigliani
Williamstown: Rose Ward Davies O'Keefe Stretton Skipper
REPORTED PLAYERS:Frankston: S. Grant (Frankston) for abusing umpires
Williamstown: Nil
Last Modified on 11/05/2009 10:59