By Malaya Rodezno, Williamstown Media
Saturday delivered a statement win from the Seagulls over Geelong in near perfect conditions at Deakin Geelong Stadium.
Williamstown welcomed ten new club debutants this round: Ellen Williams, Bella Smith, Lilu Hung, Lily Pearce, Naomi Ferres, Maighan Fogas, Mia Zielinski, Elise Vella, Taelah Smith and Sophia Rothfield, who came into the side as late change.
From the very first bounce, the Seagulls showed determination and grit, winning the opening clearance and kicking the first goal within 30 seconds, with Teagan Brett opening Williamstown’s account for the season.
Geelong soon levelled the scores, kicking its first goal 10 minutes into the game.
However, Williamstown responded quickly through Mia Zielinski, who used strong body work in the ruck, to kick her first of four goals for the day. Zielinski added a second shortly after, helping the Seagulls to a 12-point lead at quarter time.
Early in the second term, both sides went goal for goal, before Williamstown stormed away to break the game open, with fierce tackling, relentless pressure and repeat forward entries, giving the Seagulls’ forwards multiple first look at goals. The Seagulls entered the half-time break with a 30-point lead.
The seagulls continued their goal scoring in the third term, as Sophia Rothfield kicked a goal on debut. Williamstown added three more goals for the term.
In the fourth quarter, defender Laura Blue played a pivotal role in shutting down Geelong’s transition into forward 50 applying strong defensive pressure before intercepting the ball and kicking a stunning long-range goal that helped set the tone for the rest of the game.
The Seagulls rode their momentum for the remainder of the game, powering towards a dominant victory.
Zielinski and Eaves both impressed, as Zielinski kicked 4 goals, gathered 8 marks and 10 disposals and Eaves with 22 disposals, 15 contested and 5 clearances.
The Seagulls’ back six held strong and were able to keep Geelong scoreless in the last quarter, limiting them to only three goals for the game. Williamstown finished the game with a dominant 55-point victory, after being in control for most of the game.
It was a season-defining win, that showcased Williamstown’s intentions for 2026. The Seagulls will now turn their attention to the Box-Hill Hawks, for their first home game of the season at DSV Stadium at 1:05pm.
Full Time Score
Williamstown: 12.3 (75)
Geelong: 3.2 (20)
Best Players: Mia Zielinski, Emily Eaves, Ellen Williams, Gabriella De Angelis, Naomi Ferres, Zara Guss Goal Kickers: Zielinski (4), Brett (2), Williamson, Williams, Rothfield, Howes, Eaves, Blue
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