By Ben Ford
The Seagulls welcomed the return of Braydon Preuss from injury, with the key big man spending periods of the afternoon stationed at full forward.
Williamstown was forced to absorb plenty of early pressure, but remained within striking distance throughout the opening quarter thanks to the outstanding intercept work of Luke Parks. The key defender read the play superbly and repeatedly cut off attacks, ensuring the scoreboard remained manageable.
As the sun emerged across the bay and conditions became ideal at DSV Stadium, the Seagulls continued to work hard around the contest. Preuss made the most of his opportunities, launching a booming goal from beyond 60 metres in the second quarter that proved one of the highlights of the afternoon.
At halftime, Williamstown remained within 10 points after a determined defensive effort. Parks continued to lead the way in defence, while the Seagulls looked to build momentum heading into the second half.
The third quarter proved to be the decisive period of the contest.
Williamstown was unable to generate sustained momentum as the opposition capitalised on its opportunities and established a match-winning lead. Despite continuing to compete, the Seagulls found themselves chasing the game heading into the final break.
The Seagulls continued to battle throughout the final quarter, producing an encouraging finish with five goals. While the final margin was 40 points, the closing stages provided some positive signs heading into the final rounds of the season.
Debutant Bailey Ryan provided one of the highlights of the afternoon when he kicked his first VFL goal during the final quarter, with teammates quickly surrounding him to celebrate the milestone.
Another standout moment came from Jake Grieser, whose brilliant set shot from the boundary early in the fourth quarter ranked among his best goals of the season. Grieser was outstanding all afternoon, finishing with 37 disposals and earning Williamstown’s best-on-ground honours.
Diesel Moloney also continued his consistent season, kicking two goals—including an excellent running goal during the second quarter—and was among the Seagulls’ strongest contributors.
The defeat leaves Williamstown with an important stretch of football ahead as the race for finals continues. The Seagulls now turn their attention to this week’s clash with the Sydney Swans at Blacktown International Sportspark, where they’ll be looking to respond and keep their finals hopes alive.
Full Time Score
Williamstown: 9.6 (60)
Footscray: 14.16 (100)
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