By Malaya Rodezno, Williamstown Media
Easter Sunday delivered a thrilling contest between the Western Bulldogs and Williamstown Seagulls in near-perfect conditions at Whitten Oval.
The crowd showed up in numbers and were vocal from the very first bounce. The Seagulls showed determination and grit to get through the scrappy, low-scoring game before coming home with the win.
Williamstown welcomed six new debutants this round: Jemima Wrigley and Gaby De Angelis, arriving from Southern Saints VFLW; Ruby Mahony, who came across from Essendon VFLW; and Izzy Khoury, from Carlton VFLW. Georgia Howes and Krissy Tang finalised the team for their first VFLW games.
The Seagulls won the first clearance of the match and gained all the territory in the early going of the game. However, the Bulldogs were the first team to put a score on the board with a goal, seven minutes in.
Williamstown soon levelled up the scoring by the end of the first quarter, after a brilliant transition end-to-end, finishing up with a run in goal from Teagan Brett. It was a goal apiece at the first break.
The second term did not deliver any goals from Williamstown, but instead from the Bulldogs, who kicked one. Working well were forwards Teagan Brett and Sharnie Whiting, but the Seagulls were not able to score any goals.
The third quarter scoring slowed as the Seagulls managed to only score three points, however, the Seagulls’ defence held up, winning the contested ball in the back half. Defenders Jemima Wrigley, Robyn Randell and Mia D’Agostino all stood up in the contest.
Limiting the Bulldogs from transitioning into their forward 50, D’Agostino laid a crucial tackle in the centre of the ground, laying the foundation for the rest of the game.
Williamstown began to wrestle momentum back their way to end the third quarter, setting the game up for a sensational finish.
With the game on the line, having been a goal down, Williamstown found another gear in the fourth. The Seagulls were able to kick a goal within two minutes as Kiera Leare was tackled high, giving Williamstown the upper hand to draw the game.
The Seagulls battled as they moved the ball up the ground, as Whiting took a contested mark before hitting Brett on the lead. Brett gave Williamstown the 4-point lead at the 11- minute mark, their first lead in the game.
A clean clearance out of the middle from Ruck Cat O’Bryan and Midfielders Emily Eaves and Megan Williamson gave Whiting a chance to add to the scoreboard with her first goal of the season.
Eaves and Williamson both impressed, as Williamson collected 16 disposals, 9 tackles and 5 clearances and Eaves with 18 disposals with 12 contested, 5 tackles and 3 clearances.
The Seagulls’ back six held strong and were able to keep the Bulldogs goalless in the second half. Williamstown ended the game winning by 10 points.
It was a team-defining comeback win, having previously lost to the Bulldogs last season in the preliminary final. The Seagulls will face reigning premiers North Melbourne Werribee on ANZAC Day for their next game.
Final Score:
WILLIAMSTOWN 1.0 | 1.1 | 1.4 | 4.4 (28)
WESTERN BULLDOGS 1.0 | 2.1 | 2.4 | 2.6 (18)
Best Players: Blue, Crowley, Leare, Williamson, Brett, Eaves
Goal Kickers: Brett (2), Leare, Whiting
