Tara Murray
Williamstown only just came away with the points in what was another history-making moment for Ben Jolley in the Victorian Football League.
Having recently become the third player to reach 300 games in the Victorian Football Association-VFL history, Jolley broke the games record on Friday night.
Jolley played game 303 on Friday night, surpassing the record set by Billy Swan.
It was somewhat fitting that the milestone came against the Bombers, where he was drafted to and started his VFL career.
Seagulls director of coaching Jeff Andrews said it was a special night for the club.
“It was great for Ben to do it against his old club,” he said. “He thought that Essendon might deny him one more time.
“It was funny having the 300 and a couple of weeks later he was getting the milestone. He’s a guru and I don’t think it will happen again.”
Andrews said there were a lot of similarities between Swan and Jolley, who both spent time at Port Melbourne and Williamstown and both live in Ascot Vale.
Jolley was among the standouts on Friday as he helped the Seagulls sneak home against the Bombers, 9.15 (69)-9.9 (63).
It took a while for both teams to get going in a seesawing game. The Bombers led at the first and third quarter breaks, while the Seagulls led at half time and the final siren.
Andrews said it wasn’t a game that many people would go back and watch.
“It wasn’t the prettiest game of football,” he said.
“We had to show a lot of fights and character. They had some quality AFL talent and a lot of pressure forwards.
“Credit to the boys, they were able to stand up a bit.”
Mitch Cox kicked three goals for the Seagulls, while Nick Ebinger chipped in with two goals.
Andrew said it was their experienced players that stood up when they really needed them to.
“Marty Hore, Oscar McDonald and Finbar O’Dwyer,” he said. “Mitch Cox has found some really good form the last couple of weeks. He kicked two or three and set up a few.
“Tom Downie was really good as well.”
The Seagulls sit in seventh spot after 18 rounds. They are just percentage behind sixth placed North Melbourne.
Andrews said they had to keep focusing on getting the wins as they try to secure a finals spot. The Seagulls this week face the Casey Demons.
“You look at the ladder and think 10-4 isn’t bad, but then there’s other sides around us that are 12-3,” he said.
“We have got four games to go and a few of the sides above us in the top six play each together.
“We just have to keep getting wins.”
