A dominant third-quarter performance laid the foundation for a commanding 51-point victory as Williamstown kept its top-six hopes alive with an impressive win over Sandringham at Trevor Barker Beach Oval.
By Ben Ford
Fresh off their final bye of the season, the Seagulls entered a must-win clash against the Zebras in their first meeting since Sandringham became a standalone VFL club. Williamstown was also boosted by the welcome return of Luke Parks, Harry Minton-Connell and Damon Hollow.
Josh D’Intinosante opened the scoring with a classy finish that bent through for the Seagulls, who immediately took control of the contest. Williamstown dominated early territory, registering the first three goals before Sandringham could generate one of their own.
The warning signs were already there for the Zebras. Williamstown surged inside 50 on nine occasions during the opening stages, forcing Sandringham to flood numbers behind the ball in an attempt to slow the game. While the tactic limited the usual influence of Diesel Moloney and Josh D’Intinosante, it couldn’t stop Braydon Preuss from producing one of the highlights of the quarter with his first goal since Round 10.
Making full use of the breeze, Williamstown finished the opening term with nine scoring shots. A late goal to Moloney, combined with complete dominance around stoppages and inside 50, gave the Seagulls strong momentum. However, a costly free kick after the siren allowed Sandringham to finish the quarter with a goal and, more importantly, head into the second term with the advantage of the wind. After such a difficult opening quarter, it appeared the Zebras had been handed an opportunity to work their way back into the contest.
That opportunity proved to be short-lived.
Despite kicking into the breeze, Williamstown completely controlled the second quarter. The Seagulls dominated territory, won the physical battle, and took full advantage of their size against Sandringham’s smaller defence.
No player embodied that dominance more than Alex Mirkov.
The big ruckman towered over his opponents, taking a spectacular contested mark before converting a brilliant goal. He also controlled the hit-outs, winning them by double figures and establishing himself as the difference-maker around the ground.
The “big man treble” was completed when Angus Seivers kicked truly after another excellent inside-50 entry, while Mirkov continued his outstanding quarter.
Equally impressive was Williamstown’s defensive effort. Despite Sandringham enjoying the breeze, the Seagulls restricted the Zebras to two goals for the quarter, ensuring they entered halftime firmly in control.
With the wind finally at their backs in the third quarter, Williamstown looked to put the contest beyond doubt.
Braydon Preuss wasted little time, kicking another strong goal before Kallan Dawson, Nathan Colenso and Lachlan Wilson all added majors as the Seagulls threatened to turn the afternoon into a percentage-boosting performance. Colenso and Wilson both struck within a minute of each other as the margin ballooned.
To Sandringham’s credit, the Zebras refused to fold.
The final quarter developed into a hard-fought grind rather than a shootout.
After 10 minutes of arm wrestle football, Damon Hollow finally put the result beyond doubt, kicking a goal before Philpot and Ollington added their own respective majors to complete one of Williamstown’s strongest performances of the season.
It was exactly the response the Seagulls needed. With a standout highlight being the 12 individual goal scorers, the most of any game this season for the club.
Angus Seivers continued the confidence gained from his match-winning goal against Tasmania, producing one of the finest games of his season. Nathan Colenso was another standout, continuing his outstanding form with strong contested marking and his trademark ability to bend the football through from difficult angles.
Braydon Preuss also produced his best game of the season. The experienced ruck-forward dominated Sandringham’s undersized backline, amassed 9 hit-outs, kicked three goals, and produced a booming long-range major that was among the highlights of the afternoon.
It was exactly the type of professional, heavy-hitting performance the Seagulls needed before a much tougher fortnight awaits.
Those challenges begin next week when Williamstown hosts Coburg in a highly anticipated rematch of their Round 10 encounter. With both clubs fighting for a top-six position, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Victory would keep finals hopes alive, while defeat would likely leave the loser battling through Wildcard Weekend in what shapes as one of the biggest Williamstown-Coburg clashes in recent years.
Final Score:
WILLIAMSTOWN 3.6 | 7.6 | 14.10 | 17.11 (113)
SANDRINGHAM 1.0 | 3.2 | 7.3 | 9.8 (62)
Best Players: Greiser, Mirkov, Toner, Wilson
Goal Kickers: Preuss (3), Seivers (2), Mirkov, (2), Wilson (2), D’Intinosante, Moloney, Colenso, Philpot, Dawson, Greiser, Ollington
