By Tom Williamson, Williamstown Media
The Gulls were keen to continue the momentum following their victory against Southport before the break, and they made a confident return with two key inclusions to the side: Cox and Ebinger, both cleared after battling soleus injuries for several weeks.
The Seagulls won the coin toss, ensuring they’d have the wind advantage in the first term, but it was Footscray who fired the first shots.
However, Brodie McLaughlin was quick to respond for Williamstown, kicking two early goals to surge the Gulls ahead.
Despite some late pressure from the Bulldogs, including a roving goal from Hugo Hall-Kahan, it was the Seagulls who finished the term with an 11-point lead.
In the second quarter, Footscray had the upper hand for much of the first half, applying scoreboard pressure and briefly levelling the scores. But McLaughlin stood tall, taking the game by the scruff of the neck.
Kicking three goals in the quarter, McLaughlin’s five goals for the half gave the Gulls a strong 6.5 (41) to 3.8 (26) lead at the main break.
Despite tough conditions with the wind blowing in the opposite direction, McLaughlin’s excellent positioning inside 50 proved to be a reliable avenue to goal.
The third term saw Williamstown take full control. Jovan Petric set the tone with an early goal, a beautiful snap that extended the Gulls’ lead.
A clever pick-pocketing play by Hall-Kahan in the middle of the ground allowed McLaughlin to kick his sixth goal, and from there, the floodgates opened. The Seagulls found the goals three more times, while Footscray managed just two behinds for the quarter.
At three-quarter time, Williamstown led by a dominant 47 points.
Footscray showed some resistance in the final term, kicking three unanswered goals. But just when it seemed like the Bulldogs might have a faint chance, Nathan Colenso stepped up for the Gulls, kicking a crucial goal to halt Footscray’s charge and effectively sealing the win.
Williamstown ran out 12.12 (84) to 7.14 (56) victors, their third win of the season.
The Seagulls’ second-half performance was clinical, and despite the Bulldogs’ fight in the last, the damage had already been done.
With a big clash against Carlton at Ikon Park next Saturday, Williamstown will look to continue building momentum.
Some real standout performances included McLaughlin six goals, Jack Brown with 22 disposals and a goal.
Tom Downie also had a great day winning the ruck contest with 49 hit outs. His work at the stoppages helped us edge the clearance count 55‑50, consistently giving our midfield first use of the footy.
Final Score:
WILLIAMSTOWN: 3.3 | 6.5 | 11.9 | 12.12 (84)
FOOTSCRAY: 1.4 | 3.8 | 3.10 | 7.14 (56)
Best Players: McLaughlin, Triffett, Brown, Cox, Downie, Hall-Kahan
Goal Kickers: McLaughlin (6), Brown, Colenso, Gadsby, Hall-Kahan, Ollington, Petric
