Williamstown played a game of pick your poison with Collingwood in its 32-point win in the Victorian Football League at Burbank Oval on Sunday.
With a stark wind advantage to one end, the Seagulls dropped a man back like most sides would, but each time he was manned up, coach Andy Collins would assign a different player and sometimes multiples to the role.
If the Magpies kept a close check on Sam Dunell, Peter Faulks would bob up.
They restrict Faulks and then Leigh Masters assumes the responsibility.
Take Masters out of the equation and Scott Clouston becomes the loose man, and on it went.
Just like their attack, the Seagulls array of options in the defence poses a real headache for opposition coaches.
The Magpies ran out of ideas to negate the plus-one and averaged just two goals a quarter with the breeze.
The Seagulls only led by just four points at three quarter time, but their defensive work against the wind in quarters one and three set up the victory, with the icing on the cake coming in a seven-goal last quarter.
“When you have the one player in that role, you do become a bit predictable and clubs man that player up, so we’ve got a few different options to play behind the ball,” Seagulls football manager Chris Dixon told Star Weekly.
“It’s one of the great strengths of our side, a lot of players can play in different positions and it’s a credit to ‘Collo’ [senior coach Andy Collins] and the way he’s been able to develop that amongst the playing group.”
“You tempt the opposition into over committing guys forward of the ball and then you are able to score a few goals on quick breaks running the ball up into the wind.”
Mitch Banner is making a habit of producing best-on-ground performances for the Seagulls.
The three-goal, 31-possession domination was his fourth top-ranked game in seven.
“It’s been a fair month or so of footy for him,” Dixon said.
Banner, a Western Jets product who played 19 AFL games with Port Adelaide from 2009-12, returned home last year after a season with South Fremantle in the WAFL and has not put a foot wrong.
A natural ball winner, the 25-year-old has particularly impressed with his ability to work both ways this season.
“Finding the ball has always been no dramas for Mitch, he’s always been a big possession getter, but we’ve been really pleased with the way he’s been able to work at both ends of the ground,” Dixon said.
“He’s working really hard defensively,clogging up space in the opposition’s forward 50 and taking marks and then getting on his bike and getting his rewards at the other end.
“He’s such a damaging kick – two of his goals were from 55 metres.”
Anthony Anastasio ran rampant in attack with five goals.
It is not only his finishing skills that is impressing the coaching staff.
“He’s doing a lot of things that we’re asking of him,” Dixon said.
“We know he’s a good finisher but it’s also his defensive pressure.
“He’s working up and down the ground and using his assets to good advantage.”
Adam Marcon, Nick Meese and Jack Johnstone were other Seagulls to impress.
The Seagulls fifth consecutive win sees them improve to 11-3 and keep hold of top spot on percentage.
They will have a real fight on their hands to preserve their place when they host in-form reigning premiers Footscray at Burbank Oval on Sunday.
“We’re under no illusions of the size of the challenge,” Dixon said.
“They’ll have 18 AFL players in their VFL side, so we know when teams get to that point, they’re really strong.
“It might cement a top four spot for us if we win, so we know what’s on the line.”
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