By Malaya Rodezno, Williamstown Media
The second elimination final of the VFLW series was a fierce battle, but the Seagulls ultimately proved too strong for the Zebras.
Williamstown welcomed back midfielder Megan Williamson and forward Georgia Howes from injury.
The Seagulls got off to a flying start, winning the first clearance thanks to a clean hit-out from ruck Cat O’Bryan.
The first five minutes were filled with continuous stoppages as both teams attempted to push the ball out of the congestion.
Williamstown got on the board first with a set shot that missed, earning a point to kick off the scoring.
Relentless pressure from the Seagull forwards resulted in repeated forward 50 entries, yet Williamstown had no goals to show for it.
Howes was the first to set up a goal for Williamstown as she palmed the ball off to Izzy Khoury, who was taken high.
Khoury slotted through the set shot, setting up an 8-point lead at the first break.
In what could have been her final VFLW game, soon-to-retire Ash Thorneycroft made a statement in the opening quarter with six tackles.
The second quarter consisted of multiple stoppages between both teams.
Looking to attack, the Zebras eyed the corridor, but India Barker cut it off, giving the Seagulls one last scoring opportunity before halftime.
Midfielder Megan Williamson blazed away, driving the ball inside 50 before Teagan Brett picked it up cleanly and handballed to Crowley, who snapped on her left to kick the goal and put her stamp on the final.
The play was pivotal for the rest of the match and gave Williamstown a 16-point lead at the half.
Scoring slowed in the third quarter, but the Seagulls held firm through defensive pressure and interceptions – six of them coming from defender Laura Blue alone.
Sandringham surged and tried to hit the scoreboard on multiple occasions, but were only able to convert points.
The Seagull defenders stood tall, allowing Williamstown to maintain their lead heading into the final break.
Despite the constant surge from both teams to start the fourth quarter, there were no scores.
The Seagulls were able to hold on, leading for all four quarters and keeping Sandringham goalless for the entire game.
Winning the hit-outs, clearances, and tackle count, Williamstown created more scoring opportunities and ultimately secured the victory.
Williamstown midfielders Emily Eaves, Ash Thorneycroft, and Megan Williamson were back to their best.
Eaves collected 23 disposals, 8 tackles and 9 clearances. Thorneycroft gathered 12 disposals, 5 clearances and an outstanding 21 tackles, whilst Williamson managed 13 disposals, 7 tackles and 5 clearances.
Ruck Cat O’Bryan proved valuable once again with a game-high 25 hit-outs, 5 clearances, and 11 disposals.
Other notable mentions include India Barker and Laura Blue, who both played a pivotal role in the win. Barker collected 13 disposals, 8 tackles and 3 inside 50s, as Blue gathered 7 disposals, 8 intercepts and 6 tackles.
The Seagulls will now turn their attention to next week’s Semi-Final against reigning premiers North Melbourne-Werribee, who were defeated by Collingwood in the Qualifying Final.
Final Score:
SANDRINGHAM 0.0 | 0.1| 0.5 | 0.6 (6)
WILLIAMSTOWN 1.2 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 2.6 (18)
Best Players: Eaves, Thorneycroft, O’Bryan, Williamson, Blue, Barker
Goal Kickers: Khoury, Crowley
