Williamstown overcame a hellish preparation to shock East Perth by 24 points in the Foxtel Cup semi-final at Patersons Stadium.
As if coming off a short four-day turnaround after their win over Casey Scorpions in the Victorian Football League wasn’t enough, the Seagulls had to endure nearly a full day’s journey just to arrive in Perth last Tuesday.
The Seagulls initially planned to leave around dinner time the night before the game but were held up by a four-hour flight delay.
When the team finally boarded later that evening, the plane barely made it
100 kilometres before turning around due to a mechanical fault.
The Seagulls’ travel nightmare continued on the morning of the game, with a second plane delayed by a further three hours. They also had to account for some misplaced luggage.
The Seagulls eventually arrived in Perth to confront the WAFL ladder leaders – a major task in itself.
Williamstown must have been running on adrenalin, because it showed no signs of fatigue and ran out the game better than East Perth.
Seagulls coach Andy Collins said the
travel chaos and semi-final win would add another chapter to the club’s history books in its 150th year.
“It’s going to be a great story and one that will be in the history of our footy club going forward,” he told Fox Footy after the game.
“It was really an outstanding effort by our boys to persevere.
“It’s a great day for us as a footy club.” The game was in the balance until a breathtaking goal on the run from Anton Woods with five minutes remaining.
It moved the Seagulls out to a 16-point lead and into the July 22 grand final. They meet West Perth at Simonds Stadium in Geelong.
The tireless Kane Lambert pocketed best-on-ground honours in the semi-final with a brilliant display in the midfield for the Seagulls. So often, it was Lambert bursting clear of the stoppages and launching his side into attack.
Adam Marcon and Michael Gibbons also won their share of clearances and linked up well with Lambert, who was the leading possession getter on the ground with
26 touches.
Jack Johnstone’s hardness had the East Perth players thinking twice about getting in his way.
He set up much of the Seagulls’ play bounding off the half-back flank.
The height and strength of Williamstown forwards Jake Owen and Sam Critchley stretched East Perth’s defence.
Owen finished with two goals from the half-forward line.
With a busy four days behind them, the Seagulls had a chance to rest up with a football-free weekend. You can bet they relished every minute of it ahead of this Sunday’s trip to Coburg.
Lance Jenkinson
