Harper Sercombe
Williamstown has turned all of its attention on its return to finals in the Victorian Football League.
The Seagulls lost to Sandringham in the last round of the home and away season on Sunday afternoon.
The Zebras started hot against the travelling Seagulls, booting the first six goals of the day. The Seagulls began to work their way back into the game after half time bringing the margin back to 22 points at three quarter time.
But the Zebras were able to hold on and kick away in the last term, winning 16.6 (102)-10.7 (67).
Being affiliated with AFL team St Kilda, the Zebras were always going to be tough to beat at home, Seagulls’ director of coaching Jeff Andrews said.
“It was disappointing, to be down 35 points (at quarter time) and lose by 35 points, it was where the game was won and lost,” he said.
“[Sandringham] were always going to be significantly better than their ladder position suggested … It’s probably the healthiest St Kilda list has been for the whole year.
“It was a tough day, but we certainly didn’t help ourselves. They were very good, the pressure was really good in the first quarter and we just didn’t deal with it as well as we would have liked.”
However, with finals just around the corner there were still plenty of positives for Williamstown including young midfielder Jack Toner and key forward Joel Ottavi.
Toner led all comers on the disposal count with 31, to go with his eight tackles, while Ottavi booted three majors.
“[Toner] was really good against Brisbane and young players can be a bit up and down but he’s franked that form and maintained it, which is really pleasing to see,” Andrews said.
“It looks like he’s gone to a new level which is really pleasing.
“[Ottavi] battled mentally and got some rewards with a few goals and marks.”
With a week off now to refresh while the VFL wildcard round takes place, the Seagulls will be resting and waiting to see who they will face at home for the first round of their finals series.
“Some players we’ll rest up, some players will get more work, we can be really specific with what all of the individuals need,” Andrews said.
“It’s been a long season, but we get to rest up and freshen up and regroup and get back to playing the way we want to play.
“When we attack our first final, which will be the club’s first home final in many, many years, in two weeks time so we’re looking forward to it.”
For that first final the Seagulls will be able to welcome back some key names including their skipper .
Andrews said Josh Pickess, captain Cam Polson and midfielder James Cousins will all be available.
Polson has missed the last two games with a quad injury, while Pickess and Cousins will return from respective knee and ankle injuries.
Williamstown will play the lowest ranked winner of the Richmond and Collingwood game, or the Casey and North Melbourne game.
