By Luke D’Anello
IT HAS taken just one round for Williamstown to find a replacement for Matthew Little in the goal-square.
Mitch Hahn, a veteran of 175 AFL games, booted six goals in a best-on-ground display against local rival Werribee at Avalon Airport Oval on Saturday night, as the Seagulls steamrolled their way to a 51-point win, 23.16.154 to 15.13.103.
While the final margin was not a true reflection of the fierceness of the opening-round VFL match – Williamstown led by just 16 points at the final change of ends – the Seagulls’ bevy of options in the attacking half was ultra impressive.
By game’s end, Williamstown had seven multiple goalkickers on the scoresheet and, while the performance was not without its flaws, the Seagulls gave a notice of warning that they will again be among the leading contenders this season.
Andrew Hooper chipped in with three majors, while Will Minson, Ayce Cordy, Dane Rampe, Zephaniah Skinner and Brett Goodes finished with two apiece.
Williamstown coach Peter German was pleased with the even spread of contributors.
“We hope that it’s not all up to Mitch and if he continues to play like that, obviously being a rookie-listed player (at Western Bulldogs), he might get maybe another crack at (AFL),” German said.
“But we saw some signs for Zephaniah Skinner, and Ayce Cordy is a capable forward as well, so we feel we’ve got more options than just Mitch.”
Mitch Wallis, who was drafted by the Western Bulldogs under the father-son rule, showed his limitless potential on debut, while defender David Stretton blanketed Tigers vice-captain Robert Castello.
But it was Werribee which had the better of the opening half-hour. The Tigers held a nine-point advantage at the first break – and it should have been more.
But, as expected, Williamstown, the minor premier last season, rediscovered its mojo and piled on seven goals to three in a breathtaking second quarter.
Despite the best efforts of the plucky Tigers, Williamstown responded each time it was challenged.
Like a smart alec child, the Seagulls had an answer for everything and, ultimately, they broke Werribee’s spirit, finishing with a seven-goal-to-two final term.
“As a coach, it’s always hard when the opposition gets a bit of a jump on you – then you need to respond. I felt we did that well,” German said. “They’re a side that’s obviously under a new coach (Paul Satterley) who is setting up a real offensive structure, so we had to be careful of that and at times they certainly did get us and were able to put a bit of scoreboard pressure on us.
“We got the balance right (after quarter-time). We thought it was a little bit like one-day footy, where if they got it they kicked a goal and if we got it we kicked a goal. I just felt that we turned our defensive efforts around and just made it a bit harder for them. Our ball use got better and after quarter-time we were able to become far more effective.”
Williamstown will have the bye in the VFL this weekend, but the Seagulls will travel to Perth to take on Swan Districts in round one of the Foxtel Cup on Saturday.
