By ADEM SARICAOGLU
WILLIAMSTOWN has bounced back from its narrow Foxtel Cup loss to South Adelaide and cruised to a 59-point win over Coburg at Whitten Oval on Sunday.
The game was effectively over by quarter time after the Seagulls surged to score eight goals to Coburg’s two to establish a 38-point lead.
By the end of the game Williamstown’s 22 goals were shared between 13 different goal-kickers, a remarkable feat considering eight of those goals came from VFL debutant Anthony Anastasio (five goals) and Matthew Panos (three) combined.
Anastasio earned his spot after an impressive performance in the Foxtel Cup, and coach Peter German says he’ll keep pushing for senior selection if he continues to improve.
“We haven’t really had that really sharp, small forward, and even though he’s the 23rd (man) we played him last week again, so that’s a great opportunity (the Foxtel Cup) gives you,” German said.
“It was just a great little warm-up for him to be able to come out and play senior footy today.
“He was terrific and he’s getting better each week.”
By halftime Anastasio had three goals to his name and was causing havoc with his leg speed.
The Tigers were able to slightly reduce the margin in the second term but at halftime it was still beyond five goals.
The Seagulls wouldn’t relent after the main break, piling on another six goals in the third quarter to extend their lead to 43 by three-quarter time.
That momentum continued into the last term, as another five goals were added in what turned out to be a percentage booster for the fourth-placed Seagulls.
After the game German admitted his side was wary of Coburg, who have produced solid performances in the past month, but said he was impressed with how they bounced back from the Port Melbourne loss two weeks earlier.
Williamstown will now enjoy a week off before resuming its season against Bendigo at Windy Hill on June 2.
Williamstown: 22.9 (141) d Coburg: 12.10 (82)
Goals: Williamstown: A. Anastasio 5, M. Panos 3, L. Jong 2, K. McHarg 2, J. McNamara 2, J. Wall, T. Hill, J. Redpath, D. Conway, E. Carr, M. Stockdale, B. Jolley, C. Howard. Coburg: D. Connors 4, M. White 2, B. O’Hanlon 2, M. Arnot, T. Derickx, J. Post, A. Graham.
Best: Williamstown: L. Jong, J. Wall, B. Moles, C. Howard, M. Stockdale, A. Anastasio. Coburg: A. Maric, M. White, D. Connors, A. Graham, B. O’Hanlon, B. Griffiths.
