Williamstown conquered star-studded Collingwood on Sunday to extend its Victorian Football League finals stay into the second week.
The Seagulls booted the only three goals of the last term in the wildcard final to secure a rousing come-from-behind 12-point victory, 11.15 (81)-9.15 (69).
Justin Plapp’s side was the lowest qualifier after finishing in 10th spot, but the veteran coach declared “anything’s possible” as Williamstown prepares to tackle Casey Demons for the first time this season in an elimination final.
“That’s everything you play the game for – big games, finals, winning finals,” Plapp said.
“It was a pretty emotional day and it was a relief, but it was also really exciting too because we played a team that was chock-full of talent.
“There were three premiership stars in there with (Will) Hoskin-Elliott, (Tom) Mitchell and (Mason) Cox. Mitchell’s a Brownlow medallist. That’s pretty confronting for a program that trains two nights a week and you come up against 15 AFL-listed players and a Brownlow medallist.
“Our ability to just play the game and not focus too much on what was put out on the park from Collingwood, I thought that was just a tremendous and really resilient effort from our players.”
Williamstown trailed by seven points at the final change at Victoria Park before kicking 3.4 to 0.3 in the last quarter.
Plapp said Collingwood was kicking with a two-to-three-goal wind and pointed to his team’s wasteful third term, during which it kicked 3.7.
“We had our backs against the wall,” Plapp said.
“We adjusted some things tactically and I felt our players really invested into that. We made the game a scrap and a real contest. We got the game looking the way we wanted and they got really panicky and at some stage they had to get desperate, and they did.It probably just worked into our hands a lot.
“It was a big last quarter from a strategy point of view, but from an effort point of view it was incredible.”
Former Adelaide player Lachie Gollant shone with a four-goal haul. Plapp said Gollant had endured an “indifferent season” due to suspension and injury before delivering his best performance of 2025 in the sudden-death final.
“His first quarter was probably one of the best quarters I’ve seen at VFL level,” Plapp said.
Tom Downie battled manfully in the ruck, while ex-Blue Luke Parks and Finn O’Dwyer continued their ever-consistent seasons.
Nathan Colenso worked tirelessly in the attacking half, first-year Seagull Damon Hollow contributed two majors and spearhead Brodie McLaughin stood tall in the pressure-packed final term.
Williamstown have knocked off Footscray (first), Southport (third), Frankston (fourth) and the Brisbane Lions (sixth) this year, while they lost to Box Hill (second) by 10 points.
“I don’t know what our ceiling is,” Plapp said.
“Maybe we underrate ourselves a bit … if we get through this week (against Casey), I think anything’s possible.”
Plapp has also re-signed for 2026 and said it was a straightforward decision.
“I’m excited I’m back on board, but more excited we’re still in the finals,” he said.
