By Lance Jenkinson
Williamstown went from zero to 100 in 10 scintillating final quarter minutes to get the edge over Footscray by 10 points in the Victorian Football League western derby at the Williamstown Football Ground on Saturday.
The Seagulls only kicked 36 points in the opening three quarters, but exploded to life with a seven-goal-to-two final term, sparked by a jaw-dropping five goals in the opening 10 minutes.
Seagulls coach Andrew Collins described the game as a “dog fight”.
“There was only eight AFL-listed players [in the Footscray side], but it was a really tough game,” he said.
“So it was a really good win and particularly the last quarter.”
Williamstown’s rapid five goals in the opening 10 minutes of the last quarter was part of a run of seven unanswered goals for the Seagulls to break the game open.
Lachie Schultz and Ben Cavarra sparked the Seagulls to life. Schultz impacted both at the stoppages and in the front end with two goals, while Cavarra was “electric” in attack, finishing with three goals in a best-on-ground display.
“They were the dynamic duo,” Collins said.
“We know that either of them could go to an AFL club at any given moment because of their talent.”
Williamstown was not without its big outs. The Seagulls had veterans Ben Jolley, Nick Meese and Willie Wheeler – three key engine room players – unavailable.
Meese’s absence exposed the Seagulls’ lack of height and young Footscray ruckman Tim English took advantage to be the dominant big on the ground.
However, Collins was proud of the competitiveness of under-sized ruckmen Jordan Jones and Daylan Kempster.
“I thought we were able to get a little bit of footy around the ground with Jones and that’s the best we can do at this particular time,” Collins said.
The highlight of the day for Williamstown was a first club goal for Joel Tippett. He moved forward to take a strong mark and converted from close range to the delight of his teammates.
“Normally he doesn’t get the high, but it’s a real credit to him to take the opportunity to assert himself on the contest and take a critical mark,” Collins said.
“For him to read the moment, his opponent went down there to go on the goal line and Tippett went down with him, and he took the opportunity to out-mark him.”
Mitch Norton is looking comfortable for Williamstown two games back after a medial ligament injury, while Peter Faulks was a standout down back.
For Footscray, the experience of Fletcher Roberts and Shane Biggs across half back kept their side on the right side of the ledger for most of the game.
The Bulldogs’ Fergus Greene, who kicked three goals, starred in the third quarter to take his side’s lead out to 20 points, but Williamstown reeled it in during a frenetic final term to claim a come-from-behind win.
Williamstown head to the bye in fourth spot, while Footscray will be fighting to get back into the top eight when it returns after its bye.
