By Lauren Wood, Williamstown Media
Defender Zac Pritchard, a regular of the Seagulls’ backline across 2025, has been ruled out after suffering a nasty cork last week at Victoria Park.
His place will be taken by crowd favourite Max Philpot, who returns to the line-up after a strong block of form at local level.
Philpot, who has never worn another VFL guernsey across nearly a decade with the Club, had a slow start to the year after breaking his ankle in the off-season.
Once recovered, the 27-year-old played three games before being omitted after Round 18, but strong local performances since, including a win for PEGS’ where he earned 193 ranking points, have underlined his readiness to return.
Meanwhile, co-captain Cameron Polson has been cleared to retain his place after successfully getting through both the Wildcard win and this week’s training block.
Polson, who has struggled with an injury-interrupted year, will once again lead from the front alongside fellow skipper Finn O’Dwyer.
The Seagulls will need every ounce of leadership and belief when they come face-to-face with the Casey Demons, who bring a strong lineup of 17 AFL-listed players into the clash.
Casey welcome finals after five straight wins to close out the home-and-away season, finishing fifth on the ladder.
Williamstown, however, carry momentum of their own after upsetting Collingwood – a side boasting 14 AFL-listed players – in a thrilling final quarter last Sunday.
The two sides are yet to meet in 2025, their most recent clash being in Round 6 of 2024, when Williamstown recorded a 32-point win away from home at Casey Fields.
Victory on Saturday would see the Seagulls qualify for a third consecutive semi-final, this time against the loser of the Qualifying Final between Footscray and Frankston, rather than Brisbane up north.
With a wave of excited supporters behind them, the gritty Seagulls will travel to Cranbourne eager to keep their premiership dream alive.
All VFL finals including the Elimination Finals are fully ticketed, with supporters encouraged to pre-purchase their tickets here.
Match Details:
Saturday, August 30th at 2.10pm
Casey Fields, Cranbourne East
Can’t make the game? Watch live on 7mate, 7plus and afl.com.au or stay updated with live match scores via Williamstown Football Club’s Instagram, Facebook, and X.
Team Selection:
