By Malaya Rodezno, Williamstown Media
Super Saturday morning football saw the Seagulls defeat the Kangaroos, restricting them to their lowest score of the season.
Williamtown made two changes with two new debutants, as Western Jets products Addison West and Kiara Boyd, pulled on the blue and gold for the first time.
From the very first bounce, Williamstown attacked the contest, as Emily Eaves took the first clearance, straight out of the middle.
The Seagulls were the first to struck, as Eaves kicked goalward, however only managed a minor score.
Minutes later, Ellen Williams lined up for a set shot from the boundary calmly converting to put Williamstown’s first goal on the board.
Both teams attacked the contest early, but against the run of play, North Melbourne Werribee capitalised on a set shot directly in front of goal.
Gaining space out the back, Gaby De Angelis cleared the congestion, kicking towards the Seagulls’ forward 50.
Crumbing her own mark, Neve Crowley cleverly handballed to Emily Eaves, who was streaming towards goal and slotted Williamstown’s second goal of the quarter.
Winning the clearance once again from defence, the Seagulls looked to attack, as Crowley found Lilu Hung by herself in the forward 50.
Hung converted her goal from 43 meters out, putting an exclamation mark on a dominant first quarter for the Seagulls.
Controlling the second quarter early, Williamstown had all the momentum.
Locking it in their forward 50, the Seagulls brought the pressure setting up well and denying the Kangaroos an easy exit.
Winning the clearance on the centre wing and bursting out of the pack, Eaves hit Hung on the lead. Hung slot through her second goal of the match.
Constant pressure from the Seagulls allowed many opportunities for shots on goal within the second quarter.
The Seagulls kicked away, as Zielinski converted her second goal in the matter of minutes, from a chaos ball in the forward 50.
The Seagulls led by 28 points at half time.
Starting the third quarter stronger, the Kangaroos kicked their second goal of the match, right in front of goal.
However, moments later playing in front, Zielinski took a huge mark. She made no mistake from the set shot, kicking her second goal for the game.
Streaming out the middle, the Seagulls hit the scoreboard once again off a fresh clearance from Emily Eaves who kicked it in the path of leading forward Teagan Brett.
Again, Williamstown headed goalward, as Brett kicked her second goal in less than two minutes.
Charging through again, Eaves intercepted a handball before kicking her second goal of the game.
Running towards the crowd, Eaves soaked in all the support.
The Seagulls did all the attacking and were able to move the ball forward, with their defence in control during the third quarter.
Constant pressure and attack on the ball proved Williamstown to be too strong for North Melbourne Werribee.
Rebounding the ball from their defensive 50, the Seagulls surged forward once again, as Emily Eaves put through a goal, punishing the Roos once again.
Williamstown had a 45-point lead, entering the final break.
Hitting first, with a goal was the visiting team, however it was too late. The damage had already been done.
The Kangaroos only managed three goals for the game as they were overrun by the Seagulls.
The Williamstown defenders ran and surged with the ball and worked well as a defensive unit, always presenting first to meet the ball.
Defensive pressure by the Williamstown back six managed to put the game to bed.
The Seagulls’ domination started from the middle, as Williamstown generated its scores through midfield pressure and clean clearances.
Williamstown played a team game, with all players playing their role and celebrating every goal.
Ultimately, the Seagulls sent a message to the rest of the competition after this win.
Doing it all for Williamstown was midfielder Emily Eaves and debutant Addison West. Eaves collected 25 disposals, 8 tackles, 8 clearances, and 2 goals. Whilst West gathered a game high of 23 disposals, 4 tackles and 6 clearances.
The ruck duo of Georgia Howes and Krystal Russell were huge contributors to the win. Together, they gathered 48 hit outs, 3 clearances, 6 tackles. Alongside Mia Zielinski, Teagan Brett and Lilu Hung who all kicked 2 goals each. Continuing to add to their personal tally for the season.
Williamstown held the Kangaroos to their lowest score all season.
The Seagulls will enter next week with a bye, before shifting their focus to the final round against Collingwood on Saturday the 29th of August at DSV Stadium.
Full Time Score
Williamstown: 9.4 (58)
Essendon: 3.3 (21)
Goal Kickers: Brett (2), Hung (2), Eaves (2), Zielinski (2), Williams
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