Tara Murray
The tide turned for Williamstown on Saturday as it finally came away with the points in a close one in the Victorian Football League Women’s competition.
After losing a number of close matches this season, the Seagulls were able to come from behind against Port Melbourne.
The Seagulls kicked 2.4 to nothing in the final quarter to get the 5.6 (36)-5.2 (32) win.
Seagulls coach Liam Cavanagh said there was a bit of relief to finally come out on top in a close one.
“It’s a nice feeling to have one go our way,” he said. “It’s a good feeling to run them down.
“We’ve reviewed our last couple of games… Very scenario heavy on how to improve in the last five minutes of the game, how to save a game and how to ice it.
“It was pleasing to apply that at the end.”
Cavanagh said the game played out how he had expected, with Port Melbourne’s strength in their half back line.
The Seagulls won a lot of the midfield battle, winning the clearances and inside 50s.
Cavanagh said it was a bit of a slow start for the side.
“It took a long time to get to the level we wanted to go to,” he said.
“It clicked into gear and the way we attacked we weren’t going to die wondering.”
Trailing by two goals at the last break, Cavanagh said the message to the group was to make sure they didn’t leave anything out there.
He said they would have rather lost by six goals trying something, than losing by two goals and nothing changing.
“We tweaked a few things and encouraged the girls to try and score and we did.”
Teagan Brett kicked two goals for the Seagulls, their only multiple goal kicker.
Maddie Edwards and Emily Eaves had 20 possessions each.
Cavanagh said those three were among their best in the win along with Sarah Thomas and Zoe Day.
The Seagulls sit ninth on the ladder, but are only a game outside the top six and second games behind second.
Cavanagh said it was exciting to still be in the mix at this time of the season.
“We have improved a lot and anything from there is a bonus,” he said. “We’re going to enjoy the next five weeks.
“It’s such a close competition.”
The Seagulls this week face Carlton on Sunday.
Cavanagh said it would be another good test for them.
“When we beat them it was one of our best wins of the year,” he said. “They are a really good team and one of the best in the competition.
“We take a lot of belief into the game.”
The Seagulls men continued their good run, beating Carlton on Sunday, 11.14 (80)-8.12 (60).
The Seagulls sit in fifth spot.
