By Malaya Rodezno, Williamstown Media
The last game of the round delivered a tight contest between standalone clubs, Darebin Falcons, and the Williamstown Seagulls.
The Seagulls made three changes entering the game, with forward Talia Motta making her VFLW debut, Phoebe Chisholm coming back from injury for her first game of the season, and ruck Krystal Russell back in after missing last week.
Teagan Brett and Izzy Khoury also had milestone matches, both playing their 50th VFLW game.
The Seagulls won the first clearance of the match and gained all the territory in the game’s early stages.
Debutant Talia Motta slotted through Williamstown’s first goal of the game, 30 seconds in, ultimately kicking her first goal in the VFLW.
The Seagulls’ defence stood tall, intercepting and surging the ball forward.
A strong hit-out from ruck Krystal Russell to midfielder Megan Williamson set up a clean clearance into the forward 50, where classy forward Sharnie Whiting finished the goal on her left.
The Falcons hit back, kicking their own goal at the 6-minute mark of the quarter, highlighting the hot start by both teams.
Constant pressure from the Seagulls allowed Motta to kick her second goal in the quarter, after she was thrown to the ground without the ball, resulting in a free kick set shot.
Shortly after, defender Jemima Wrigley connected with Whiting after intercepting the ball. Consequently, Whiting kicked through her second goal of the quarter.
Williamstown had a 19-point lead at the first break.
The scoring slowed down in the second term, as the Seagulls were held scoreless. Alternatively, Darebin kicked two goals in the quarter, closing the margin to six points.
The Seagulls were under immense pressure, but they managed to hold on to the lead entering halftime.
The Seagulls got right to work to begin the third quarter. In the opening few minutes, Izzy Khoury linked up with forward Neve Crowley twice before converting on the second time around.
Crowley put through the set shot and extended Williamstown’s lead by 12 points.
But once again, Darebin responded with a goal, closing the gap down to six points entering the final break.
Both teams struggled to score to begin the fourth quarter, as the play was very congested.
Darebin scored first, nine minutes into the quarter, pinning the margin to one point. The Falcons put more pressure on the Seagulls’ defence and gained repeat entries.
Just thirty seconds later, Darebin hit back with another goal—one of several lead changes in the quarter—ultimately regaining the advantage.
Williamstown had a shot to win the game but missed to the near side.
Despite the loss, Williamstown won the inside 50s count 18-27 and dominated in the hit-outs 39-69.
Midfielders Emily Eaves and Ash Thorneycroft were very effective throughout the game as Eaves collected 14 disposals (12 contested), 9 tackles and 5 clearances. Thorneycroft gathered 12 disposals, 6 intercept possessions and a dominating 17 tackles.
Ruck Krystal Russell also provided a spark in the middle, collecting 6 disposals, 7 tackles and a massive 47 hit-outs.
Sharnie Whitting also gave the team a boost by kicking two goals, collecting 8 disposals and 4 marks.
With a chance to reset on home soil, Williamstown will be out to make a statement against Box Hill and get back on the winners’ list.
Final Score:
DAREBIN 1.0 | 3.2| 4.2 | 6.2 (38)
WILLIAMSTOWN 4.1 | 4.1 | 5.3 | 5.4 (34)
Best Players: Eaves, Thorneycroft, Russell, Whiting, Freeman, Williamson
Goal Kickers: Motta (2), Whiting (2), Crowley
