Daniel Pearce survived flying bodies to hold a great mark for Williamstown in its victory against the Northern Blues. 79412 Picture: KRISTIAN SCOTT
By Adem Saricaoglu
WILLIAMSTOWN notched up its first VFL win for 2012 after turning a 23-point three-quarter time deficit into a 14-point win against the Northern Blues at Visy Park on Saturday.
In a second half where every goal was kicked at the Legends Stand end of the ground, the Seagulls regained control of the see-sawing match with a six-goal final quarter burst.
Coach Peter German said after the game the blustery conditions were difficult to navigate.
“It was a tricky wind really, it seemed to be going one way then the next minute it was going the other way,” he said.
The pressure was hot early in the game as turnovers proved to be a common source for goals.
Williamstown was able to take advantage of Northern’s wayward kicking and by quarter time had established a 10-point lead.
Ayce Cordy proved potent up forward for the Seagulls and by halftime already had four goals.
That tally could have been five, but he missed a shot from 50 after the siren that would have extended the lead to 21.
An early third quarter 50-metre penalty brought Northern’s Aaron Joseph to the goal square for an easy goal, but it was an Andrew Collins’ specky in the middle that seemed to spring the Blues, and their fans, into life.
Josh Bootsma soon added another goal before a wayward Williamstown kick-in saw Brock McLean set Nick Duigan up for a goal that put Northern in front, giving them full momentum. The Blues had full control of the game and on the rare occasions where Williamstown pressed forward, the Blues’ back line, led by Carlton full back Michael Jamison, held their nerve.
Jason Tutt was given a rare chance to goal for the Seagulls late in the term, but his kick was sprayed and out on the full.
German asked his players to attack the game and take risks in his three-quarter time address, and his players certainly responded, dominating centre-clearances and using run-and-carry that seemed to tire the Blues the longer the match went on.
Western Bulldogs veteran Lindsay Gilbee scored Williamstown’s first goal since halftime four minutes into the last quarter, before Brett Goodes added another five minutes later to breathe life into the game.
Inspired efforts by Gilbee, Goodes, Andrew Hooper, Stephen Witkowski and ruckman Tom Campbell led to Williamstown’s stunning turnaround, while the Blues simply looked out on their feet.
Witkowski nailed two consecutive goals, the second of which put the Seagulls in front 17 minutes in.
However it was Hooper who got the final say, kicking the game’s last two goals to seal the stirring win.
Williamstown plays Geelong in Torquay on Easter Sunday. A supporters’ bus to Torquay leaves at 10am.
