Tara Murray
Williamstown’s first finals win has it a step closer to a Victorian Football League women’s grand final.
The Seagulls continued to make history on Sunday, as they found another gear in the second half to run away from the Western Bulldogs in their qualifying final.
Just one point separated the two teams at half time, before the Seagulls kicked five goals to two in the second half, to win 7.3 (45)-4.3 (27).
Seagulls coach Liam Cavanagh said it was pretty special to get their first finals win, after exiting finals in the first round last year.
“It’s massive,” he said. “It’s unbelievable.
“There were lots of nerves and expectation and pressure internally and we tried to mitigate that.
“We celebrated the twin post game, but we move on quickly.”
Cavanagh said they took a while to get into the game with conditions pretty tricky at DSV Stadium.
He said they didn’t make the most of the breeze in the first quarter and that the first half was about figuring out the game.
“We then had to stop the Bulldogs when they had the breeze,” he said. “We thought if we were one or two goals down at quarter time that would be a good position.
“To make it a point was really good.”
The Seagulls put some things in place at half time to try and get the game on their terms.
It worked as they kicked three goals to open up a 19 point lead at the last break.
“We spoke inside that it’s easier to save a game than try and steal a game,” he said. “We played the scenario perfectly.
“We put ourselves in a good position.”
Cavanagh said with the game in their control the last quarter was about playing to the clock, shutting them down while still trying to score.
The Bulldogs kicked the first two goals of the quarter before the Seagulls steadied and kicked the last two of the match.
Neve Crowley was the only multiple goal kicker for the Seagulls, kicking two.
Cavanagh said Lori Stepnell in defence was their best.
“She was massive at centre half back,” he said. “She won a lot of ball and set up a lot of our footy
“Megan Williamson was our most consistent in the midfield.”
The win gives the Seagulls two chances at making a grand final.
The first of those attempts will be on Sunday at 2pm at DSV Stadium against North Melbourne.
North Melbourne beat Essendon in their final. Port Melbourne will play the Bulldogs in the other semi final.
Cavanagh said they would be better for the win and understanding of the pressure of finals footy.
“The next two weeks are exciting,” he said. “The last time we played North Melbourne is was really tight.”
Williamstown’s men’s side had a bye on the weekend.
This week the Seagulls will face the Gold Coast Suns on Saturday.
