VFL: Seagulls back in top flight

WILLIAMSTOWN is back in the Victorian Football League top four after a 32-point win against Northern Blues on Saturday.

Playing its first away game since mid-May, the Seagulls were slow to start but finished with a flurry of goals to kill the contest.

The Blues, fresh off giving Frankston a 56-point hiding a week earlier, matched the Seagulls for most of the afternoon.

It was a low-scoring affair at Princes Park for the first three quarters. Williamstown gradually inched in front during a three-goal second term after the Blues kicked two to one in the opening quarter.

Carlton ruckmen Shaun  Hampson and Robbie Warnock made life difficult for Williamstown in the middle. But the Seagulls’ seven-point lead going into the final break laid the platform for a fourth-quarter assault – they booted six for the term.

Experienced Ed Carr, former Bomber Brent Prismall, captain Ben Jolley and Bulldog Mitch Wallis were brilliant in the final term, winning clearances and driving the momentum.

Up forward, Tory Dickson kicked four goals, while Willie Wheeler was back to his best with three.

Seagulls football manager Chris Dixon was pleased with the players’ efforts.

“Despite the low scoring it was a high-quality game of football with a lot of pressure around the contests,” he said. 

Dixon also had praise for Wheeler, saying he could be a potential AFL draftee. “I would think he’ll get a fair bit of attention at the end of the year.”

Williamstown takes on ladder leaders Box Hill away this Sunday.