Williamstown have broken a 9 year drought at Eureka Stadium in Ballarat with a convincing 52 point defeat over North Ballarat Roosters on Saturday.
Registering their second win for the season Williamstown dominated the play across the four quarters outrunning the Roosters who struggled to break through the visitors’ attacking press.
Williamstown's speed and exuberance around the contest was noticeable throughout and even more crucial was their offensive pressure.
Mitch Wallis’ inside work around the stoppages was first class while Brett Goodes and Justin Sherman provided plenty of run through the midfield to deliver the ball into their attacking half.
The Seagulls went into the first break leading by 14-points, and if not for some poor finishing, the margin could have been wider.
In the second term the Roosters fought hard to get back into the contest with their intensity and disposal efficiency lifting noticeably.
A goal to Williamstown's Tom Hill late in the second term however was crucial as the Seagulls went into the half-time break leading by two goals.
Buoyed by the momentum towards the end of the first half Williamstown came out firing in the third quarter with their forward pressure resulting in dominance in possession and forced turnovers in their attacking half.
Zeph Skinner intercepted a stray pass in the Williamstown 50 to set-up Patrick Veszpremi who went on to convert the chance with a bomb from outside 50 early in the quarter.
Veszpremi would become a crucial part of the contest in the final quarters with his precise ball-use and explosive pace off half-back.
The Seagulls extended the margin to 26 points heading into the final term but where not complacent in their standing.
Williamstown continued to spread the ball attractively and their pace and pressure around the contest saw North Ballarat fatigue and fall away as the game progressed.
Kicking six majors to one in the final term saw Williamstown eventually prevailing by 52 points.
North Ballarat 1.1 4.7 6.8 7.15 (57)
Williamstown 3.5 6.7 10.10 16.13 (109)
GOALS:
Williamstown: Hill 3 Redpath 2 Goodes 2 Pearce Mead Veszpremi Stockdale Johannisen Campbell Tutt Wallis Sherman
BEST:
Williamstown: Sherman Wallis Austin McNamara Johannisen Hill
- With James Gray-Foster
