By Malaya Rodezno, Williamstown Media
Sunday morning football saw the Seagulls produce a dominant defensive display, restricting Essendon to just one goal for the entire match.
From the very first bounce, Williamstown attacked the contest creating stoppages all over the ground.
The Seagulls were the first to strike, as Megan Williamson dove for the mark to kick Williamstown’s first goal of the game within two minutes.
The first quarter consisted of many oneon-ones all over the ground, as the ball was played between the arcs.
Gaining space out the back, Williamstown kicked end to end to put through another goal off the boot of Gaby De Angelis.
A perfect playbook tap from ruck Georgia Howes, quickly converted into Williamston’s third goal, as De Angelis kicks two goals in a minute.
Controlling the game early, the Seagulls had all the momentum. However, against the run of play, Essendon kicked a goal.
Williamstown had the 12-point lead entering the first break.
The Seagulls capitalised on their early pressure, slotting their first goal within the opening two minutes as Mia Zelinksi cleverly kicked a set shot from 40m out.
Constant pressure from the Seagulls allowed many opportunities for shots on goal within the second quarter.
The Seagulls kicked away, as Zielinski converted her second goal in the matter of minutes.
Dominating the clearances, Williamstown locked the ball inside their forward 50. Zielinski then tapped the ball to herself from the ruck before calmly slotting her third goal of the quarter.
Moments later, Naomi Ferres hunted down an Essendon defender to win the free kick. She made no mistake from the set shot, kicking her first goal in the blue and gold.
Streaming out the middle, the Seagulls hit the scoreboard once again off a fresh clearance from Emily Eaves, ground ball pick up and handball to Eliza Staford for a captain’s goal.
Williamstown held a 39-point lead at halftime.
The Seagulls did all the attacking and were able to move the ball forward, with their defence in control to start the third quarter.
Streaming forward yet again, Howes kicked the ball towards the goal square, allowing Neve Crowley to leap over the top and mark, however she only managed a point.
Several minutes later, Crowley was able to atone herself, kicking Williamstown’s eighth goal of the game.
Constant pressure and attack on the ball proved Williamstown to be too strong for Essendon.
Rebounding the ball from their defensive 50, the Seagulls surged forward once again, as Emily Eaves put through a goal, punishing Essendon once again.
Williamstown had a 52-point lead, entering the final break.
Continuing their strong form, the Seagulls kicked away, as Zielinski booted her fourth goal of the game.
Essendon only managed one point in the second half, as they were overrun by the Seagulls.
The Williamstown defenders ran and surged with the ball and worked well as a defensive unit, always presenting first to meet the ball.
Building on this, in the closing stages of the game, the Seagulls rummaged the ball forward in the vicinity of De Angelis, who kicked her second goal of the game.
Defensive pressure by the Williamstown back six managed to put the game to bed.
The Seagulls’ domination started from the middle, as Williamstown generated its scores through midfield pressure and clean clearances.
Williamstown played a team game, with all players playing their role and celebrating every goal.
Doing it all for Williamstown was defenders Naomi Ferres and Ellen Williams. Ferres collected 18 disposals (11 contested), 5 tackles, 7 clearances, and 1 goal. Whilst Williams gathered a game high of 26 disposals, 4 marks and 2 clearances.
Georgia Howes and Krystal Russell battled in the ruck, rallying a combined 44 hit outs, 8 clearances and 8 tackles. Alongside Mia Zielinski, who again was clutch kicking 4 goals, adding to her personal tally for the season.
Bringing forward pressure, Lilu Hung and Teagan Brett lead the Seagulls in tackles. Hung attaining 14 tackles as Brett contributed a game high of 7 tackles.
Williamstown held Essendon to just one goal for the entire match, limiting their chances to add to the scoreboard.
The Seagulls will now focus to Saturday when they host North Melbourne Werribee at DSV Stadium to begin round 14 at 9:35am.
Full Time Score
Williamstown: 11.7 (73)
Essendon: 1.2 (8)
Goal Kickers: Zielinski (4), De Angelis (3), Crowley, Williamson, Ferres, Eaves
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