Williamstown vs Southport
April 13th 2024
By Jaryn Makepeace, Williamstown Media
After returning home for the first time in the 2024 season, the Seagulls maintain their undefeated status.
The sun was out, Kids Day was in full swing, and the Seagulls were well rested after a two-week break.
Nicholas Ebinger was able to slot the first for the Seagulls. Southport matched the Seagulls intensity early to grab the lead before Max Philpot slotted a beautiful drop punt from the boundary to match Southport’s score of 14.
Some great forward pressure led to a goal from Josh Browne to put the Seagulls in front and the Seagulls managed to get the lead at quarter-time.
The Seagulls started the second term with a goal scoring drought but luckily debutant Jack Brown kicked his first in the Blue and Gold to regain the lead. Southport responded well, kicking two quick goals but Noah Gadsby was able to stop the streak by kicking a nice goal on the run.
Right before the siren Tom Downie grabbed it out of ruck and dumped it on the boot safely which landed in the hands of Jovan Petric. Petric then kicked the goal giving Williamstown a one-point lead at half-time.
Riley Collier-Dawkins started the second half with a great clearance with Blake Coleman on the other end of it who slotted his first within a minute of the third quarter. Shortly after Noah Gadsby wins a 1 on 2 and snaps in his second.
Williamstown got on a monster run with Corey Rich kicking the fifth straight to start the third quarter. Will Fordham then found Jack Brown who kicked his second stretching the lead out to 35 points. A massive eight goal third term for Williamstown saw them skip ahead to lead 14.7.91 to 6.10.46.
Southport stopped the Seagulls great run of 12 straight goals. They had opportunities to get back in the game with 10 scoring shots in the last but only resulted in two goals.
After a tough contest, Williamstown pulled away 46-point winners and remain unbeaten. Aiden Bonar, in just his second game for the Seagulls, scored a team high 24 disposals forming a nice duo with Finn O’Dwyer who also had 22 of his own. Will Fordham and Riley Collier-Dawkins were outstanding in the middle with five clearances each and a combined 43 touches between the two.
Williamstown now sit second on the ladder as they get ready to face Footscray next week at home again.
Final score:
Williamstown: 17.10 (112)
Southport: 8.18 (66)
Goals:
Corey Rich 3, Jovan Petric 2, Blake Coleman 2, Noah Gadsby 2, Nicholas Ebinger 2, Josh Browne 2, Jack Brown 2, Max Philpot 1, Will Fordham 1.
