By Lauren Wood, Williamstown Media
It was a huge game in the context of Williamstown’s 2025 campaign, with the pointy end of the season meaning every result now carries consequences.
Being Round 19, both sides were well aware of each other’s methods, and the opening bounce for Tom Downie and Mason Cox set the tone for a fierce and strategic contest.
Headlining the inclusions for the Seagulls were Co-Captains Cameron Polson and Finn O’Dwyer, while Nick Ebinger and Mitch Cox also returned to the 23.
Collingwood made four changes of their own, with AFL stars Jordan De Goey and Bobby Hill departing last week’s line-up, but they still presented a dangerous-looking outfit.
The opening quarter saw Williamstown move the ball methodically down the line, patiently working from defence to attack.
Co-skipper Cameron Polson wasted no time, slotting the first of the day with a composed drop punt barely a minute into the match.
Zac Pritchard was busy early, racking up disposals alongside Williamstown’s reliable defenders, while Lachie Gollant’s 50-metre attempt resulted in only a minor score.
Jack Brown produced a highlight reel moment halfway through the term. After Joel Fitzgerald pounced on a dropped Magpies mark, Brown showed his agility with a fend-off, sharp turn and clinical finish for a brilliant goal.
Despite Williamstown’s heavy possession—121 disposals to Collingwood’s 60—the Magpies were efficient and stayed in touch.
Jack Toner’s late set shot on the siren gave the Seagulls a narrow 21–16 lead after a labour-intensive opening quarter for both backlines.
The second term was one Williamstown will want to forget. Collingwood piled on four quick goals, including three to the same player, breaking the game open and stretching the lead to 20 points.
A burst of clean footy finally got the Seagulls going again—Damon Hollow’s intercept and dash from defence led to Brodie McLaughlin’s first, quickly followed by Toby Triffett converting a perfect pass from Hugo Hall-Kahan.
But the Magpies had all the answers, finishing the half with a nine-goal quarter to take a commanding 74–39 lead into the rooms.
Yet Senior Coach Justin Plapp’s halftime message sparked a remarkable response. Williamstown opened the third term with back-to-back goals from Hall-Kahan and McLaughlin, and soon after, Triffett added his second.
The Seagulls’ ball movement lifted, Tom Downie grew in confidence, and the goals kept flowing.
McLaughlin bagged his fourth, Gollant slotted two in five minutes, and Heath Ollington finished a bursting run with a classy major.
The seven-goal-to-three quarter brought the margin back to just 11 points at the final change, and momentum was firmly with the blue and gold.
Two minutes into the last, Williamstown surged coast-to-coast before Nick Ebinger marked and coolly converted from 45 metres, cutting the margin to five points.
From there, the game became an arm wrestle—both sides trading goals and points, and tension building with every minute.
Ultimately, a costly down-field free kick against O’Dwyer handed Collingwood the decisive goal in the dying minutes.
Williamstown ran out of time to respond, falling short in a 108–97 defeat.
Brodie McLaughlin continued his standout season as the league’s leading goalkicker with five majors, while club stalwart Jake Greiser shone with 38 disposals, 32 kicks, and 15 marks in his 152nd game.
The Seagulls will now regroup during their bye week before returning for the final round of the home and away season, where they will face the Richmond Tigers in a crucial bid to secure a top-10 spot.
Final Score:
WILLIAMSTOWN: 3.3 | 6.3 | 13.6 | 15.7 (97)
COLLINGWOOD: 2.4 | 11.8 | 14.11 | 16.12 (108)
Best Players: Greiser, Triffett, McLaughlin, Fitzgerald, O’Dwyer, Hall-Kahan
Goal Kickers: McLaughlin (5), Triffett (2), Gollant (2), Toner (1), Polson (1), Ollington (1), Hall-Kahan (1), Ebinger (1), Brown (1)
