Williamstown has won their third consecutive game after disposing of a disappointing Northern Bullants outfit by 29-points at Preston City Oval on Sunday as James Hunter Smith reports.
Led by young guns Tom Liberatore and Mitch Wallis in the midfield, the Seagulls piled on seven unanswered goals in the second quarter to run out winners 16.13 (109) to 12.8 (80).
Despite being held to only two behinds in the third quarter to Northern’s six goals, their solid performance in the other three terms was enough to get them over the line.
Wallis led the way for Williamstown with 28 touches, while Nathan Djerrkura (27), Tom Liberatore (25) and Bulldog Justin Sherman (18) were also strong. Brian Lake and Jordan Roughead were prominent up forward with three goals apiece.
For the Bullants, Ahmed Saad was back to his usual best with five majors, while Brock McLean had a day out with 27 possessions to his name.
The win solidifies the Seagull’s top-two credentials as they find themselves two games clear of third-place North Ballarat on the Peter Jackson VFL ladder. The Bullants on the other hand remain in the top four, however boast a relatively unhealthy percentage.
Williamstown coach Peter German said he was pleased with his side’s current form especially after their tough recent schedule.
“When I looked at the fixture three or four weeks ago, we had [the] Bullants and Bendigo coming up, I thought it’s going to be a tough couple of weeks,” he said.
“So to come through both of them and get the four points…is pretty good.”
German admitted while his Seagulls are in a strong overall position, he didn’t want to get too carried away as his team structures are vulnerable from week to week.
“Sometimes you’re only an injury or two away from changing your whole side and structure and all those sorts of things,” he said.
“In this scenario that we’re in, you can’t get too comfortable because things can change.
“But at the moment we’ve still got some depth…in our seconds [with players] who can come up and play some good senior footy, so I’d like to think we’re in reasonable shape at the moment.”
After what was initially a close contest in the first quarter, the Seagulls slammed home seven straight goals in the second term to completely blow the game out of the water.
Helped by Liberatore’s brilliant clearance work and Djekkura’s tackling pressure, Williamstown were able to get on top of their opponents in a ruthless tirade of goals.
Patrick Veszpremi found an open Jason Tutt in the early stages of the quarter for a quick goal, and from there things went pear-shaped for the dumbfounded Northern outfit who found themselves trailing by 59 points at the main break.
However, in traditional Bullants spirit, they clawed their way back into the contest with their six goal to none third quarter to spark unseen life into the players.
Ahmed Saad slotted two early majors, prompting fellow teammate Brock McLean to nail a ripping goal from the tightest of angles.
Williamstown had no answer to Northern’s increased work rate and defensive pressure, and after Dennis Armfield later broke two tackles and converted from 45 metres out, the Bullants entered the final term trailing by only 21 points.
An animated Peter German at the three quarter time huddle spurred his troops as they came out firing in the forth quarter, piling on the opening four goals and putting the game well out of reach.
Brian Lake slotted two quick majors with the help from fellow Bulldog Justin Sherman who worked hard to find him open in the goal square, while Will Minson also got among the action with a goal to his name as Williamstown ran out winners 16.13 (109) to 12.8 (80).
German made special note of Brian Lake’s performance and said keeping him on the park is going to help him get back to full fitness.
“Brian was better today,” German said.
“I thought at least up forward he showed one-on-one he can still be a dangerous player.
“We know that Brian is still not at the peak of his powers with his conditioning, but just to keep getting him out playing week after week…that’s going to help with his improvement.”
Next week the Bullants face a vulnerable Sandringham outfit at the Trevor Barker Beach Oval on Saturday in a vital clash, while Williamstown take on East Perth in the Semi-Final of the Foxtel Cup at Etihad Stadium on Saturday evening.
Last Modified on 04/07/2011 17:27