Will Minson takes one of many marks for Williamstown. 69932 Picture: EMILY LANE
BY MICHAEL ESPOSITO
WILLIAMSTOWN busted its five-game losing streak against North Ballarat on Sunday with a commanding 67-point win to advance to the preliminary final on 18 September.
A depleted Roosters could only contain Williamstown for one quarter, but after the Seagulls overcame their finals nerves, they were irresistible.
Williamstown made full use of Box Hill City Oval, implementing a run and spread that exposed North Ballarat’s inferior speed.
It was attractive footy but didn’t lack hardness, as Williamstown produced one of most polished performances of the season.
On paper, it was not the Seagulls’ strongest side, with four players having played five games or under for the senior side.
But there was little gap between Williamstown’s most and least effective players.
Western Bulldogs rookie Matthew Panos starred with five goals. He has played most of the season down back with a view to developing his game, but he was a constant presence up forward, and with Mitch Hahn proved a lethal combination.
Midfielder Ben Jolley was Williamstown’s best player and picked up the slack left by injured captain Brett Johnson, who was likely to return for the preliminary final, while Lindsay Gilbee set up several goal-scoring opportunities with his sublime foot skills.
Ruckman Will Minson was by far the most influential big man, doing a mountain of defensive work in all parts of the ground and launching several attacks. With Jordan Roughead a possibility to be available for the preliminary final against Werribee or Casey, Williamstown could have the luxury of rotating two quality ruckmen.
Coach Peter German said he did not place much emphasis on North Ballarat’s recent good record against Williamstown.
“We probably didn’t focus on that a great deal. What we focused on is we just know we’re playing a quality opposition and we really have to have the utmost respect for them,” he said. “They’re actually what we aspire to be, the way their culture is, the way they go about their footy, they never say die.
“I certainly didn’t overcook the fact that it was against north Ballarat because we knew that in many ways they were depleted, it was probably their worst side of the year, but in saying that we were never going to take them easy.”
While Williamstown held a five-point lead in the first quarter, the game was being played on North Ballarat’s terms.
“We were a bit jittery early, a little bit fumbly (in the first quarter), German said. “I’ve got no doubt North Ballarat would have been totally focused on the pressure aspect of the game. That forced us into over-using the handball at times and caused turnovers.”
“We had a few young kids playing their first game but I think even the most experienced get a bit jumpy and a bit nervous.”
But German was pleased with how his side broke the shackles after quarter time while stifling North Ballarat’s flow.
“A lot of out structures were around restricting their ability to slingshot of half-back so I thought we did that pretty well.”
