WILLIAMSTOWN will travel to Box Hill for the second Victorian
Football League qualifying final this Saturday following a 17.9 (111) to
11.15 (81) win against Northern Blues.
The Blues had everything to play for with a finals spot up for
grabs, but it was the Seagulls who dominated the opening term, kicking
six goals from 10 shots.
PICTURE GALLERY: Williamstown v Northern Blues
Liam Jones was the chief beneficiary of some brilliant work up the
ground, slotting four goals. Skipper Ben Jolley and Lin Jong also added
majors to give the Seagulls a 33-point lead at quarter time.
Jones looked set for a monster day when he opened the account in
the second term, claiming his fifth goal. Williamstown added another
four for the quarter, including two to Anthony Anastasio, to lead by 41
points at the main break.
The game looked like it would be a major beating early in the
third term when Jolley and Patrick Veszpremi both scored to give the
Seagulls a 53-point lead. But the Blues settled and two late goals cut
the margin.
The Blues won the last term, lifting their intensity to kick four
goals. Had they converted any of the six behinds they also kicked, the
finish may have been exciting.
But Williamstown kept them at bay with goals to Jones, Cameron Wood and Nathan Hrovat and snared a 30-point win.
Willie Wheeler was outstanding for Williamstown, dominating at stoppages, while Wood was again good in the ruck.
Crucially, the Seagulls moved to third on the ladder and will have a seven-day break before they play Box Hill.
Williamstown football manager Chris Dixon was impressed with the win.
“We needed to set the tone early and we stressed numbers around
the contest to help us win the ball ,” he said. “We moved it well and we
were happy with the work rate.
“We know it’s going to be a really good game of footy against Box Hill.”
