Williamstown has produced a great escape, overrunning arch-rival Werribee by 26 points in a cut-throat VFL semi-final at North Port Oval on Sunday.
The Seagulls were dead and buried in the eyes of many at three-quarter time, staring down the barrel of a 32-point deficit and lacking the energy that has been a trademark of their 150th anniversary season.
PICTURE GALLERY: Williamstown v Werribee
A straight-sets finals exit was on the cards until the Gulls kicked nine goals to nil in the last quarter to set up a preliminary final showdown with the Box Hill Hawks.
Kane Lambert was far and away the most consistent Gull on the day, but his last quarter was simply mouth-watering.
The onballer swung the game in his side’s favour on the back of a 30-possession, four-goal game. He found a last quarter partner in crime in rover Adam Marcon.
Marcon worked hard both ways, winning his share of clearances and applying pressure without the ball. He kicked the first goal of the game and added another in the comeback.
Williamstown undoubtedly stole this one. They were second best for two and a half quarters, but their last 30 minutes were irresistible.
The Seagulls are just one win away from a grand final appearance in their first season back as a standalone club.
Sunday’s preliminary final at North Port Oval is an even-money game.
The Seagulls finished higher on the ladder than the Box Hill Hawks after the regular season.
But the Hawks won both meetings between the two sides by small margins.
Footscray will face Port Melbourne in the first preliminary final on Saturday.
The Bulldogs enjoyed the week’s rest after toppling the Seagulls in week one of the finals.
