By Lance Jenkinson
Williamstown beat traditional rivals Port Melbourne in a tight and tense Victorian Football League season opener under lights for the first time at Downer Oval on Saturday night.
Leading by one point at three-quarter time, the Seagulls outscored the visitors two goals to one in the final term to run out 10-point winners.
Sam Martyn kicked the game-sealing goal for the Seagulls in time-on of the last quarter.
Williamstown ruckman Nick Meese was adjudged best-on-ground. The imposing big man had 42 hit-outs to go with 15 disposals and was a menace defensively with eight tackles.
Seagulls’ captain Adam Marcon started the season in fine fashion with a 25 disposal, two-goal game performance.
New recruit Ben Kennedy impressed in his first showing with the Seagulls, collecting 25 possessions to go with five tackles.
Nick Rodda was the Seagulls other multiple goalkicker with two.
Williamstown will face Frankston at SkyBus Stadium on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Footscray hit the ground running with a 43-point win over Sandringham at the VU Whitten Oval on Friday night.
The Bulldogs were in control for most of the night, leading at every charge.
Newly acquired key position player Ryan Gardner snared four goals for Footscray.
Roarke Smith, who has made a name for himself as a defender at AFL level, moved forward and kicked four goals. Smith was busy with 21 disposals, six marks and four tackles.
Patrick Lipinski was the Bulldogs’ leading ball winner with 26 disposals, while also applying pressure with nine tackles.
Footscray will face Collingwood in a Friday afternoon game at Olympic Park Oval.
In the NAB League girls, it was a huge weekend for the Western Jets, who broke through for their first win of the season.
The Jets overran Greater Western Victoria Rebels by 22 points. Isabella Grant was best-on-ground for the Jets with 25 possessions and five marks, while Laura Wright was damaging with three goals.
In NAB League boys, Western Jets lost by 12 points to rivals Calder Cannons.
