Tara Murray
Finals came early for Williamstown in the Victorian Football League on Saturday.
While having secured a spot in the wildcard round, the Seagulls were keen to ensure they got home ground advantage for the knockout match.
Coming off a bye, the Seagulls played some good football as it accounted for the GWS Giants, 17.11 (113)-12.15 (87).
Seagulls director of coaching Jeff Andrews said the group had attacked this part of the season as finals had already started.
“We needed to win to lock in eighth spot and that home game,” he said. “We treated it like a first final.
“It was a good four quarter performance and it was our best performance in many weeks.”
It was an even first quarter before the Seagulls started to take control in the second and third quarters.
The margin blew out to 31 points heading into the final quarter. It blew out even further early in the last before the Giants kicked some junk time goals.
Andrews said they had a number of players playing across all lines which had helped the group find some form.
“The good players were playing well and it was some good reward for effort,” he said. “The younger players played well as well and we didn’t have many holes.
“We got some players back including our captain Cam Polson. We ticked a lot of boxes.”
Brodie McLaughlin kicked four goals for the Seagulls, while Corey Ellison kicked three as did Nicholas Ebinger and Nathan Colenso.
Andrews said Riley Collier-Dawkins had a strong game in the middle while Colenso played his role in shutting down Nick Hayes while kicking three goals.
He said McLaughlin was good while James Cousins returned to form and Luke Parks continued what he had done all season.
The Seagulls had another debutant on the weekend, with Western Jets ruck Lucas Impey getting his shot.
Andrews said bringing in Impey worked well.
“He trained with us last year and has been on our list this year,” he said. “We thought we would give him a run and give Tom Downie a bit of rest.
“He’s developed his forward craft as well and we could give our key forwards a spell on the bench.”
The Seagulls now face Richmond in the wildcard round for a spot in the finals.
Andrews said they were hopeful of another two to three players returning to the side.
“It’s win or go home.”
