Tara Murray
Williamstown put together its most even performance so far in the Victorian Football League Women’s competition against Carlton on Saturday.
The Seagulls were able to put together a strong four quarter performance to come away with the win against the Blues, 9.6 (60)-5.2 (32).
Seagulls coach Liam Cavanagh said it was a match that the playing group had been looking forward to.
“It’s the first time we’ve played them since the elimination final [which Carlton won], so we had a bit of a chip on our shoulder which was good,” he said.
“We come to play and we set the tone how we wanted to play. Carlton was strong but we were able to open them up for longer periods.”
Cavanagh said they had better ball movement as well this week and that any time you put 60 points on the board you’re doing a lot of things right in attack.
He was also pleased with how the group responded when Carlton had some periods of momentum.
“When Carlton was going, our tackle numbers soared,” he said. “It’s not perfect but we’re seeing the moments when the opposition has momentum are getting smaller and smaller and we’re getting better at capitalising.”
Cavanagh said this season they’ve had some good that have been won by their defence and others by attack.
He said they were getting closer to having the right balance between the two.
Molly Simpson kicked three goals for the Seagulls, while Sharnie Whiting and Eliza Straford kicked two goals each.
Cavanagh said that Gabby Biedenweg-Webster was best on ground in her best performance for the club.
He said Megan Williamstown had 13 disposals and 13 tackles and showed that balance they want between attack and defence.
Stratford and the other small forwards had really strong games.
“It’s the best we’ve looked going inside our 50,” Cavanagh said. “There’s been a strong emphasis on high percentage areas to score and not dirty goals.”
The win has the Seagulls move up to second spot, only percentage behind the Box Hill Hawks.
Cavanagh said it was another step forward.
“We don’t think we are where we need to be,” he said. “We’re better than last week and that was better than the week before.”
The Seagulls this week face Geelong which sits 12th on the ladder.
In the VFL, the Seagulls claimed victory after the siren against the Blues.
The Seagulls jumped out of the blocks and had a 24 point lead at half time time. The margin grew to 31 points at the last break.
The Blues came home hard in the final quarter kicking six goals to take the front as the clock ticked over 30 minutes.
In the end, the match came down to Seagulls ruck Tom Downie with a shot after the siren.
He was able to convert to give the Seagulls a 13.10 (88)-.12.11 (83) win.
Jovan Petric and Brodie McLaughlin kicked three goals each for the Seagulls.
