Williamstown has maintained its place in the VFL top four thanks to a 24-point win against Sandringham on Sunday.
The Seagulls made the perfect start to the match at Burbank Oval through the fast thinking of Dylan Conway, who snapped the opening goal.
The combination of Sandringham’s errors and sharp goal sense from the Seagull forwards put Williamstown up by 19 points midway through the first term.
Despite the Zebras finally hitting the scoreboard with a major of their own, Williamstown remained in control and took a 20-point lead into the first break.
The momentum continued when play resumed, with Conway’s second goal and majors to Jake Owen and Edward Carr putting the margin beyond 30 points.
As it appeared they were about to be blown away, the Zebras finally strung some goals together just before half-time.
Sandringham booted the final three goals of the quarter to reel the margin back to 21 points.
Williamstown wasn’t about to let the game slip away, emerging from the break keen to regain control. The Seagulls booted three goals to one in the third term, which proved to be enough to set up a 16.10 (106)-11.16 (82) win.
Conway, dangerous inside the 50-metre arc throughout the match, finished with four goals. He was well supported by Jack Johnstone, Ben Casley, Sean Hetherington and Carr, who all kicked two goals.
Samuel Dunell and Cameron Banfield were among the Zebras’ better players.
The victory means Williamstown remains in fourth spot on the VFL ladder, the Seagulls holding a 7-4 record.
Williamstown takes on 13th-placed Casey this week.
The competition for spots in the Seagulls’ squad will be tough after the club’s development league side enjoyed a 103-point smashing of Sandringham on Sunday. Williamstown had 10 individual goalkickers, including best-on-ground Michael Gibbons.
The Seagull development team is in second place on the ladder, four points behind the Box Hill Hawks.
Liam Twomey
