Williamstown got back to playing its brand of football and it paid off in the Victorian Football League on Sunday.
Coming off two straight losses, the Seagulls game against Southport on Sunday at DSV Stadium was crucial for the Seagulls finals hopes.
The Seagulls got off to the better start, but led by just four points at half time. They managed to extend that to 10 points at three quarter time and were able to maintain it in the final quarter, winning 9.9 (63)-8.5 (53).
Seagulls director of coaching Jeff Andrews said they just needed to go back to basics.
“After the last couple of weeks it was sure nice to get back on the winners list,” he said.
“We needed to get back to hard, tough footy. Southport is a pretty good side and they had a few players we needed to take care of.
“There were some ups and downs and certainly a scoring end. We’re proud of their efforts.”
With some slightly better conditions than the day before when wind made it hard across the area, teams were able to score at both ends of the ground.
Andrews said it took until early in the last quarter before they could kick away, with Southport kicking one late to reduce the margin.
Mitch Cox kicked two goals for the Seagulls.
Jake Greiser led the way with 23 disposals in defence.
Andrews said it was the defenders that were the standouts in the win.
“Marty Hore and Oscar McDonald down back were really good,” he said. “Jake Greiser, Fin O’Dwyer as well.
“In the second quarter they had well over 25 inside 50s and were only able to score a couple of goals.
“Harry Jones in the middle played well and Tom Downie played a role.”
The win has the Seagulls in seventh spot, currently in one of the wild card positions, with a game in hand of the two sides either side of them.
The Seagulls have another bye this weekend.
The following week they face Essendon on Friday night at home.
The night is set to be special one, with Ben Jolley set to break the VFA-VFL games record, with the match to be game 303 for Jolley.
Andrews said the night would be a significant one and even more special with Jolley having been drafted to the Bombers originally.
He played 55 games for the Bendigo Bombers-Essendon VFL program across two stints.
Tara Murray
