Match v Frankston 19-07-03 (UPDATED)

All things Williamstown - once Collingwood's VFL partner.

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Post by Blanch »

Great work again Dale. Thanks!
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Match Report v Frankston

Post by Dale61 »

On a near perfect day for football at the newly re-named Burbank Oval, Williamstown ran out with one change from the named line-up. Dane Swan received the nod the night before to replace Rhyce Shaw in the Collingwood team, allowing Luke Jarrad to get his first game of the year in senior company.

In a pre-game interview, Brad Gotch relayed a message from Mick Malthouse to pressure the senior side for next week. Maybe this would be an indication that some changes are in store for the game against Carlton. Just my opinion.

Williamstown started on fire and were proving to be too slick for the unaligned Dolphins, with quick hands out of defence allowing Williamstown an easy passage through the midfield, creating numerous chances down forward. Mark Richardson, who started at CHF, was drifting downfield to open up the forward 50, allowing Bo Nixon to drop back and cause havoc for the Frankston defence. Nixon was enjoying his freedom as three first-quarter goals was ample reward for his effort.

Stunning was also given some latitude as he often found himself in space and was playing like a rover, scouting the packs and providing an option for a handball. His first goal came too easily as he found himself wide inside 50, had time to look for a lead, then stepped around to his left foot and curled the ball through from 40. Already, the signs were looking good for the blue-and-gold faithful.

Strong body pressure was putting Frankston under the pump, and several undisciplined acts saw early 50 metre penalties go in Williamstowns favor.

The better drilled Seagulls were, on many occasions, able to take the ball from deep in defence by taking the first option, and backed up by clean possession, saw the ball moved untouched by any Frankston player deep into the scoring zone where Nixon was giving his opponent a lesson.

The goals kept coming as Guy Richards was giving the midfield clean possession out of the centre, and with Frankston failing to man up in defence, Stunning and Richardson were getting touches at will.

The difference in skill level was evident when Mark McGough saw himself in a 3 on 1 situation and winning the ball.

Leon Davis was using his pace as he was playing on the ball, and scouting the pack from the throw-in, would leave the opposition grasping at air.

Frankston were already looking to be a beaten side and some undisciplined play saw the 50 metre penalties continue to go against them.

Nixon's third goal came from what looked like a training exercise. Adrian Fletcher got possession, a handball to Cloke, a h/b back to Fletch, a h/b to a running Sam Cranage who chipped it to Richards in the centre, a quick h/b to Luke Jarrad whose kick found Nixon in a 1 on 1 situation 35 metres out, directly in front. It was looking too easy so early in the game.

Frankston were looking indecisive when going forward, allowing the Williamstown defence to clean up with relative ease, whilst the Seagulls were sure and positive, as well as being too tall and too strong, in opening up a sizeable quarter time lead.

The second quarter started slowly, but the highlight came early when a throw-in from Williamstown's half back zone saw Luke Mullins win possession who quickly handballed to Heath Scotland, who in turn handpassed to a running Leon Davis. Davis kicked from CHB to Richo at CHF, who fumbled the ball but was good enough to regain possession, then shoot out a handpass to Leon who had kept running. Leon then stepped around three players to coolly slot a goal from 48 metres. Leon at his best. Goal of the day.

However, it was the next passage of play that saw Cameron Cloke back into a marking contest, only to be met by Tex Walker. Walker's knee was driven into Cloke's unguarded ribs, and Cam's day was over. An ambulance was called as broken ribs and a possible collapsed lung was the immediate diagnosis from the training staff.

Fletcher was getting involved in every passage of play, be it slick handballs to a running player or a delicate chip kick to open spaces.

Marcus Baldwin was presenting himself and leading well, but the incoming kicks were either too long or dropping short. Baldy was able to keep the ball in, not allowing Frankston to clear the zone.

Glenn Freeborn, who has been playing in the defensive zone, was floating around the forward 50 and creating another option and providing support at ground level.

Frankston kept at it, but Williamstown's quick transition from defence to attack was too good for Frankston to counter. When in possession, Frankston were forced to chip-kick their way out of defence as Williamstown were dropping back and filling the gaps downfield. When close to their scoring zone, Frankston were then forced to kick long, and with the zone defence Williamstown were employing, allowed an easy clearance. At the other end of the ground, Williamstown had loose players everywhere, and at times seemed to have too many options to kick to.

Having played just two games in the last month, the lack of match fitness was beginning to show in the legs of the Seagulls as their intensity started to drop and where starting to cruise.

At the half, Williamstown held a commanding 52 point lead.

Fletcher was cutting them apart, Cranage was making his opponent look silly, Scooter was notching up possessions all over the ground, McG was tough in the clinches and Richo was running around like a 20 year old. In fact, Williamstown had winners all over the ground.

Some half time stats: Richo - 9k, 2hb, 5m; Fletch - 8, 7, 1; Scotland - 8, 5, 2; Davis - 9, 2, 3; Nixon - 5, 2, 3; Cranage - 4, 6, 3; Mahoney - 8, 1, 3 and Freeborn - 4, 4, 2.

Facing a 52 point deficit, Frankston started the third with all the running, but let themselves down with poor disposal. The Dolphins needed to show a lot more to at least remain competitive as the game was as good as over as a spectacle. It had now become a case of 'How far Williamstown?'.

A low scoring affair was witnessed as Williamstown seemed to shut up shop and play defensive football, but to their credit, Frankston continued to apply the pressure and were playing much better than their first half effort. Richo had been moved to defence after Cloke's demise, and was proving to be unbeatable, taking several strong marks in the last line of defence.

Williamstown's first goal of the quarter came at the 23 minute mark, which put a halt to Frankston's resurgence (for want of a better description). Both teams were only able to kick two goals each for the quarter, but in total, Frankston won the quarter by 4 points.

At three quarter time, Gotchy asked his players to not lose sight of what they want to achieve, treat them (Frankston) with respect and to use (our) height up forward to advantage.

Frankston kicked two goals in the first four minutes of the last, which bought the margin back to 36 points, but this was as close as they would get. Both teams then went into defensive mode and appeared to be just playing out time. The final margin being 49 points.

Scotland was everywhere and gathered possession all over the ground. McGough was great in and under the packs, getting the ball out to his waiting teammates. Fletcher again took the game by the scruff of the neck and continued his outstanding form. Cranage was also back to his best and played his best game after a couple of disappointments.

Baldwin led well and kicked four, and when he didn't get the ball gave a great second effort to lock the ball in.

Mahoney was in and out of the game, not as prominent as usual, but still had an influence on the outcome.

Craig Anderson was on and off the bench and didn;t really do much when he was on the ground.

Troy West was a rock on the last line of defence.

Stunning drifted out of the game after half time.

Craig Smoker was another that didn't do a lot, but his disposals were effective.

Bo Nixon was the standout of the first quarter. Drifted out a little in the second but was given a more defensive role later in the game and did his job well.

Glenn Freeborn was elusive up forward, creating space and providing an option when others were covered. One of his better games of the year.

Brad Lloyd did his job, as only he can do.

Cranage was the proverbial dam wall at half back, constantly stemming Frankston's forward thrusts.

Brendon Hollow had a few touches when he came on, then was asked to play in defence in the last quarter.

Guy Richards has firmly established himself as the #1 ruckman. Hardly beaten on the day.

Luke Mullins was again effective when he had the ball, but tended to fumble on occasion. Looks a likely prospect.

David King was strong in his attack at the ball. Never shirked away but was often not where the ball was. Should retain his place in the side though.

Cameron Cloke was good in the first quarter, but we already know what happened in the second.

Richo seems to have found a new lease on life as a player. He started up forward and was prominent, then was sent down back after Cloke left the game. Didn't put a foot wrong all day.

Tex Walker did all the defensive things a coach asks for, and was given the job on Frankston's biggest forward.

Luke Jarrad, in his first senior game, was a little shaky early, but improved as the gaem went on. Good hands, moves well and will be around for years to come.

Leon Davis electrified the crowd on a couple of occasions, particularly his second quarter goal, and made a contest when the ball was kicked his way when resting in the forward pocket, but not quite ready for a re-call at this stage.
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Post by Macgyver »

Dale what do you think about Luke Mullins at Willi?
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Post by Dale61 »

When I first saw him play, he looked a little out of his depth and was not making much of an impression in the reserves. However, as the season progressed, he has improved greatly, enough for him to have played in the last 5-6 senior games and although not outstanding, has shown glimpses of why he was so highly rated amongst the recruiting staff.
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Post by fan4collingwood »

I noticed just how well Luke Mullins fits in with the Collingwood players at training the other day. Looks like the guys think a lot of this youngster.
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Post by Macgyver »

Thanks for filling me in guys
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Post by Macgyver »

What's the latest on Cam Cloke? and when will Shak be back?
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Post by Dale61 »

Not sure of the extent of Shack's injury, hopefully he wont be too far away from a return.

Cam was diagnosed with broken ribs and fluid on the lung, and is listed as being out for two weeks, so all going well, he could be back in time for the match against Tasmania.

Another major injury blow is that of Jeremy Dukes. He was involved in an on-field collision with Scott Ralph late in the reserves game against North Ballarat two weeks ago, and was diagnosed with a lacerated kidney. He has to rest up for at least four weeks, so hopefully, he'll be back in time to play finals. It was initially feared that Dukes would lose his kidney, so severe was the collision.

Here's for a quick recovery to all players.
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