By Lance Jenkinson
Williamstown has taken out bragging rights in the battle of the west after a 16-point win over Footscray in a hard-fought Victorian Football League clash at Downer Oval.
The Seagulls started Sunday’s game on the back foot and were trailing by 15 points at quarter-time.
But adjustments made by coach Andrew Collins soon had the game on Seagull terms.
Once they claimed the lead, they were never headed.
Williamstown’s third win from four games puts it into fifth on the ladder.
Williamstown took a stranglehold over the contest in the second quarter.
The Seagulls banged on four goals to nil with the wind to take an eight-point lead into half-time.
The Seagulls’ superior knowledge of their home ground and ability to execute defensively into the breeze in the third quarter hampered Footscray’s chances.
Not only did the Seagulls restrict the visitors to one goal in the third term, they also managed two of their own into the wind.
Footscray never gave up and threatened early in the last quarter with goals from Lukas Webb and Brad Lynch, but Williamstown returned fire through majors from Darby Henderson and Nick Ebinger to wrap up the victory.
Ebinger drew praise from his coach for his impact with three goals.
A product of Williamstown CYMS, the medium forward is staking his claim for a spot in the Seagulls’ line-up on a permanent basis.
The five leading possession getters on the ground were all Williamstown players – Liam Hunt (28), Ben Kennedy (28), captain Adam Marcon (25), Mitch Hibberd (24) and Jake Greiser (22).
Bailey Dale was one of the hardest-working Footscray players with 20 disposals. But it was defenders Fletcher Roberts, Reuben William and first-gamer Buku Khamis who stood out for the losing side.
On Sunday, Williamstown will host Richmond in a blockbuster at Downer Oval from 2pm, while Footscray hits the road to play Casey Demons.
