WILLIAMSTOWN won its 10th straight western derby on Sunday, downing cross-town rivals Werribee by 83 points at Burbank Oval.
The match was hotly anticipated, given the form of both teams heading into the contest and the buzz built during a long off-season.
But it proved to be a fizzer, with the Seagulls dominating the game from start to finish.
Kicking with a slight breeze in the first term, Williamstown had 12 shots on goal to two, kicking 6.6 to take a massive 40-point lead into the quarter-time break.
The lead proved too large for Werribee to overcome. The Tigers threatened at times in the second quarter, but poor kicking for goal (2.6 for the quarter) and wasteful ball use undercut their efforts.
The conditions could not be blamed. Aside from a slight wind – certainly not a 14-goal wind – it was a sunny, dry day at Morris Street.
Williamstown’s pressure around the ball was exceptional, continuously forcing Tiger turnovers. Werribee’s forward line never fired, with kicks sailing over heads or falling short near a pack of players.
Leading by 41 at half-time, the Seagulls kept Werribee goalless as they piled on five goals in the third quarter. Another five came in the final term to extend the lead to the day’s biggest margin.
Patrick Veszpremi was outstanding for the Seagulls and was in absolutely everything, including the goals: he kicked three. Ben Brown was best for Werribee. Late into the final quarter he was still pushing himself and presenting well.
Seagulls coach Peter German said his side had maintained a high standard for four quarters. “We had a game plan that we knew was going to be demanding; could we handle that for four quarters?,” he said. “I couldn’t have been more pleased with the way we went about it. We were relentless; we’ve worked on our defensive side of the game. The clearances were also really important; it gave our forwards lots of opportunity.”
SCOREBOARD
Seniors
Williamstown 19.15 (129) d Werribee 5.16 (46)
Williamstown – goals: P. Veszpremi, B. Jolley, C. Wood, S. McCallum, F. Roberts 3, M. Talia, C. Nastasi, D. Pearce, E. Carr. Best: W. Wheeler, P. Veszpremi, M. Austin, B. Jolley, C. Wood, S. McCallum. Werribee – goals: B. Brown 2, S. Clouston, K. Harper, A. Maric. Best – B. Brown, J. Wilson, R. Castello, W. Sierakowski, D. Currie, S. Sherlock.
Development
Williamstown 28.21 (189) d Werribee 5.7 (37).
Williamstown – goals: S. Deery, A. Gallucci, J. Mead, B. Casley 4, K. McConnon 3, J. Polizzi, N. Sing, D. Conway, A. Woods 2, B. Norton. Best: S. Deery, L. Hunter, A. Woods, D. Hoghton, N. Giles, K. McConnon. Werribee – goals: C. Williams, S. Zumbo, D. Jones, M. Sodomaco, C. Tudor. Best: M. Sodomaco, N. Laracy, J. Davis, L. Fairley, J. Bolton, D. Fort.
