Williamstown vs Werribee
25th April 2024
By Jaryn Makepeace, Williamstown Media
In a historic clash marking Williamstown’s inaugural Anzac Day match at home, the Seagulls squared off against their arch rivals, Werribee, amidst blustery conditions at DSV Stadium.
The day commenced with an Anzac Day commemoration and the premiere screening of the Williamstown Veterans Project. Special recognition is owed to This Story Australia for their commitment to honouring the valour and sacrifice of Williamstown Football Club veterans. Our gratitude extends to Melissa Horne and the Victorian State Government for their invaluable support in making this project possible.
Following the very moving commemoration, the Seagulls took to the field for their third consecutive home game, ready to face last year’s grand finalists. Corey Rich was able to follow Werribee’s first goal with a beautiful set shot. Blake Coleman then gave Williamstown the lead kicking his first. Shortly after a goal from the former Seagull Corey Preston, Nick Ebinger regains the lead with a beautiful drop punt.
Riley Collier-Dawkins had a great first quarter collecting 10 touches before starting the second quarter by slotting a beautiful 50+ metre drop punt. Mitch Cox kicked two in a row to mark Williamstown’s fifth goal in a row in the second term. Werribee were able to answer with a goal, but Jack Toner and Max Philpot added one each late in the quarter. That wasn’t it for Williamstown’s goal frenzy as Mitch Cox was able to connect with a massive barrel kicking from halfway between the square and the centre circle. Noah Gadsby then joined in on the party with a 60 metre drop punt on the siren giving Williamstown a nine-goal term. Williamstown boasted 10 individual goal kickers at the half, signalling a resounding statement following their loss last week.
After an eventful quarter of goals in the second, the crowd waited 20 minutes for the next. Werribee capitalised on the only goal in the third. Luke Parks displayed resilience in the backline, admirably holding his ground in the absence of Aiden Bonar out with a hamstring injury and Finn O’Dwyer, who was side lined due to concussion earlier on in the game. Williamstown kept goalless but still had a handy lead of 48 points heading into the last term.
Within a minute of the fourth quarter, Werribee kicked the first major but Blake Coleman was able to quickly answer after cutting off a kickout to kick his second. Ellison was then able to take a strong mark and run in to slot his first before setting up Jack Brown making it a 63 point game. Werribee trimmed the lead with two final goals to finish the quarter however Williamstown still proudly walked away on top.
The mighty Seagulls clinched a victory, propelling them back onto the winners’ list and securing the second spot on the ladder. Williamstown will head down to Casey Fields to play the demons next Sunday in a double-header.
Final Score
Williamstown: 15.11.101
Werribee: 7.7.49
Goals: Mitch Cox 3, Blake Coleman 2, Jack Toner 1, Corey Ellison 1, Jack Brown 1, Riley Collier-Dawkins 1, Noah Gadsby 1, Max Philpot 1, Nick Ebinger 1, Jake Greiser 1, Jack McHale 1.
Best Players: Max Philpot, Luke Parks, Will Fordham, Corey Ellison, Joel Fitzgerald, Riley Collier-Dawkins
