Williamstown vs Port Melbourne
2nd June 2024
By Jaryn Makepeace, Williamstown Media
After a bye last week, Williamstown were met by a hungry Port Melbourne side at ETU Stadium for Heritage Round. In a round special round celebrating both our historical years, Williamstown’s performance was uncharacteristically lacking in determination compared to what we’ve seen so far this season.
The Seagulls started on the back foot as Port Melbourne kicked the first five goals of the first term. Port Melbourne’s pressure restricted Williamstown from using their prolific ball movement that has worked so well this season. Williamstown had a lot of turnovers in the first which assisted Port Melbourne to pile on the goals. Corey Rich was able to get on the end of a free kick to score Williamstown’s much needed first goal, but Port Melbourne wouldn’t let Williamstown exit their D50 which caused the Borough to kick another before quarter-time, to make it a 27-point lead.
Port Melbourne were dominating every stoppage in the second. There was a big crowd at ETU Stadium and Port Melbourne fans were in awe as their team kicked three quick goals to stretch the lead to 46 points. Brodie McLaughlin was able to kick a goal which supporters hoped would bring a spark to the Seagulls. Jack Toner was also able to kick a goal out of the stoppage to trim the lead to 34, keeping the Seagulls in the game. Port Melbourne then kicked two goals in a row before Blake Coleman kicked one at the half-time siren. Scores were 11.2.68 Port Melbourne to 4.6.30 Williamstown at the half.
Port Melbourne continued to make it hard for the Seagulls to move forward. Another bad turnover inside the Seagulls back 50 led to another goal for the Borough. Tempers started to flare after Brodie McLaughlin kicked his second. He then backed it up with a nice set shot for his third. Port Melbourne’s tackle pressure was blazing and nothing seemed to be going Williamstown’s way. The Seagulls’ backline was really under the pump with constant forward 50 entries, resulting in four quick goals in a row, extending Port Melbourne’s lead to 73 points by three-quarter time.
The fourth quarter continued in the same vein, with Port Melbourne kicking six goals to Williamstown’s four. Brodie McLaughlin was a standout in a very challenging game of football, finishing with five goals. Port Melbourne walked away 60-point winners, marking a tough day for Williamstown, which saw a hit to their percentage and ladder position.
Despite the Seagulls’ mid-season defeat, they are hopeful this will not be a turning point for the season as they learn from the loss and move on to face Southport in Round 11.
Final Score
Williamstown: 10.9.69
Port Melbourne: 20.9.129
Goals: Brodie McLaughlin 5, Darby Henderson 2, Jack Toner 1, Corey Rich 1, Blake Coleman 1.
Best Players: Brodie McLaughlin, Harrison Minton-Connell, Toby Triffett, Luke Parks, Corey Rich, Joel Fitzgerald.
