By Lance Jenkinson
The monkey is off the back for Williamstown after its string of heartbreaking Victorian Football League preliminary final exits came to an end on Sunday.
The Seagulls showed no scars from the previous three preliminary finals that ended in misery, advancing to the grand final with a 26-point win over Essendon at Adcon Stadium.
Williamstown coach Andrew Collins and his players were fully aware of their 2-7 record in preliminary final games over the previous nine years and that makes this win all the more sweeter.
“It shows great resilience,” Collins said.
“The ability to come back and bounce back year after year is a real credit to the effort and the attitude of the players.
“You get hit down and you get back up and that’s what the group is renowned for.
“I’m really proud of them.”
Williamstown will face Richmond in the season decider at Ikon Park on Sunday.
The Seagulls were a bit of an unknown quantity leading into the season because of the high amount of turnover at the top end of their list.
They had three players, Ben Cavarra, Lachie Schultz and Brett Bewley, move on to AFL lists, and key departures included Ben Jolley, Peter Faulks and Lachie George.
PHOTO GALLERY: VFL Williamstown vs Essendon
There seems to be a next-man-up policy at Williamstown with someone already ready and waiting for an opportunity.
“I am so pleased for the boys because they’ve worked really hard for this opportunity,” Collins said. “Some of the players have been with me for six years, I think there’s seven or eight of them, they’ll be able to go into their second grand final.
“There will be about eight or nine players who will be playing in their first grand final.”
Williamstown made a blistering start in its win over Essendon.
The Seagulls burst out to a 29-point quarter-time lead after a six-goal-to-one opening term.
Essendon threatened to lasoo the lead in, getting to within 16 points at half-time, but Williamstown remained focused on the task throughout and kept them at arm’s length.
“Really it was just about the effort and the discipline of the players,” Collins said.
Nick Meese was immense in the ruck for Williamstown. The big man had 24 disposals to go with a mammoth 70 hitouts.
“I’d say it’s one of his best performances ever,” Collins said.
Williamstown, shooting for its 17th flag overall and 15th in the top division, will go into the grand final as underdogs, having finished the season two-and-a-half games back from minor premiers Richmond and losing their only head-to-head battle by 51 points in round five.
With his team in red hot form with victories in nine out of their past 10 games, Collins believes his side can get the job done in the grand final. “I think we’re better prepared than we were earlier in the season against them,” he said.
