Tara Murray
Williamstown turned the tables on Sydney in the Victorian Football League on Saturday.
After suffering a big loss to the Swans last year, it was the Seagulls that had the last laugh on Saturday.
Despite being without a win this season, the Swans pushed the Seagulls all the way.
The Seagulls were able to kick away late, winning 9.12 (67)-4.10 (34).
Seagulls director of coaching Jeff Andrews said it was nice to head to Sydney and come away with the points.
“I think last year we were beaten by a big score, so it was good to get the win,” he said.
“It was really tough for our boys, it was up and back and really taxing from a running point of view.
“From a ladder position, they still had 13 AFL-listed players and they still challenged us. They will win some games this year and they’re starting to get players back, their running players.”
Andrews said while the scoreboard showed a tight contest they thought they had played some pretty good football.
He said while the scoreboard suggested it might have been a windy day, there wasn’t much wind and nothing like what they get at Williamstown.
“It wasn’t high scoring but it was highly contested,” he said.
“We felt like we were in control for most of the day and we kicked away to a reasonable score late in the piece.
“There was a breeze to one end… Both sides missed some easy set shots, it was more inaccurate kicking than a windy day.”
Finbar O’Dwyer led the way with 28 disposals while Ben Jolley, Marty Hore and Mitch Cox had 26 possessions each.
Corey Ellison and Nick Ebinger kicked two goals each for the Seagulls.
Andrews said they were the four standouts in the win.
There was a good news story in the Seagulls win and that was the debut of Zac Pritchard.
Pritchard, who had seven possessions, has had to do it the hard way.
“He acquitted himself pretty well,” Andrews said.
“He came in before the 2022 season and did a knee at the start of the pre-season.
“We kept him around and he had a long recovery from an ACL injury.
“He wasn’t guaranteed to make the list and he made the list and has now got a game.
“It’s a good story for a local Western Jets player.”
The win came despite missing Mace Cousins and Harry Jones. Andrews said they were hoping would be back this week, if not they would be back after the bye.
The Seagulls sit fifth on the ladder with five wins from their seven games.
This week they face Carlton, which sits in 13th position.
Meanwhile, the Seagulls women’s side suffered another close loss to the Casey Scorpions.
The Scorpions led at every break in the 6.6 (42)-5.6 (36).
The Seagulls sit in 10th spot.
