The rich history of an enduring rivalry was a silent motivator for Williamstown in its 10-goal win over traditional foe Port Melbourne in the Victorian Football League at North Port Oval on Saturday.
Talk in the lead up to the game centred on the importance of four premiership points for the Seagulls in the race for a top-four finish, but there is no mistaking that more is on the line when these two great rivals get stuck into each other.
“Any time you play Port Melbourne, you know there’s going to be a bit extra in it, so you don’t really need to emphasise the point to the players,” Seagulls football manager Chris Dixon told Star Weekly.
“They know the importance of the occasion and the history, so it’s certainly not something we ram down their throats.
“There’s always going to be that added spice when you come up against the old enemy.”
The Seagulls took the bragging rights with a commending win.
They dictated the flow of the game into the breeze in the first and third quarters, then piled on the attack in the second and fourth.
The easier-than-expected victory moved them to the top of the VFL ladder, following Box Hill’s surprise defeat to Werribee 24 hours later.
“It was a pretty professional performance, but it’s one that we’re not going to get too carried away with,” Dixon said.
“Port has a fair few injuries at the moment and were playing a few younger kids.
“We did well to contain them in the two quarters when they were kicking to the scoring end and we were able to open up the game a bit more when we had that advantage.
“We were really pleased with the way we were able to defend and also attack when required.”
Mitch Banner is going from strength to strength for the Seagulls this season.
The midfielder produced his third best-on-ground in six games to be one of the form players in the competition.
He racked up over 30 possessions and kicked two goals, including a long range goal on the run early in the second term that sparked the side.
Anthony Anastasio’s four goals and forward pressure was vital.
With Andrew Gallucci down on his usual form – though he still managed to snare two goals – it was important for Anastasio to assume the bulk of the small forward duties in attack.
“They’re a pretty good tandem act,” Dixon said.
“If one of them has a quiet day, you can rely on the other one.
“They worked pretty well together and are quite often on the same wavelength.”
Two of the most consistent Seagulls – captain Ben Jolley and forward Sam Dunell – were major influences over the result.
Jolley worked hard both ways on a wing, while Dunell chimed in with three goals.
First-gamer Jake Grieser impressed in an inside mid role.
“He had 25 disposals on debut, used the ball really well and kicked a goal,” Dixon said.
“I’m sure we’re going to see a lot more senior footy from him in the future.”
The Seagulls will host fifth-placed Collingwood in a blockbuster at Burbank Oval on Sunday.
In the development league, Williamstown thrashed Port Melbourne by 77 points in the early-morning curtain-raiser, with Sam Critchley booting six goals and Taylor Hine named best.
