WILLIAMSTOWN almost squandered a 39-point lead deep into the third quarter before steadying to secure a crucial 26-point victory over Port Melbourne in their Victorian Football League (VFL) on Saturday.
Fighting to keep their spot in the top four, the Seagulls seemingly had the points in the bag before a stunning comeback by the competition cellar dweller almost caused Williamstown an embarrassing loss.
After controlling the first half to lead by 26 points, Williamstown kicked on to lead by almost seven goals before Port bagged eight goals in a row to lead by nine points early in the last quarter.
The Seagulls looked to have lost their spark, but a freakish goal from full forward Sean Rusling under pressure got them back on track at the 16-minute mark.
Williamstown followed with goals to Cameron Cloke and Andrew Williams, and despite Port getting one back, Williams kicked his second of the quarter a short time later and Kane McKenzie added the sealer with a few minutes remaining in the match.
Rusling finished with four goals and Williams three for Williamstown, while defender John Anthony was among the best players on the ground.
The Seagulls need a victory this week against Tasmania to give them the best opportunity of obtaining the double chance in the finals.
It will be the last home and away game for Williamstown, which has the bye in the final round.
Meanwhile, Werribee has maintained its VFL top four chances following a comfortable 35-point win over Tasmania on Sunday.
The Tigers made it two wins in a row and defeated a Devils side desperate to keep its finals chances alive at Chirnside Park.
Five goals to tall forward James Podsiadly and a best-afield performance from Salim Hassan helped Werribee win every quarter and continue its solid form against Tasmania.
A five-goal second term saw the Tigers sneak out to a handy 17-point advantage by half-time before both sides added five majors in the third term to keep the game in the balance at the final change.
The experienced Werribee unit finished full of running with its most productive quarter of the match to win easily.
Along with Hassan, TAC Cup graduate Sam Wormald was among the best in just his second senior match, kicking two goals.
Jarrod Garth bagged three goals and Tom Davidson made a successful return to Werribee’s senior line-up with two.
Werribee is on the road for the last two weeks of the season, beginning with a clash against eighth-placed North Ballarat and finishing with a tough assignment against Geelong at Skilled Stadium.
