Qualifying final v BH - UPDATE

[Dale61]

Although Williamstown finished the home-and-away season in second spot, this game si to be played at City Oval, Box Hill, to commemorate Box Hill's 1000th league game. The game starts at 2pm, with a curtain raiser to be played between Williamstown and Port Melbourne reserves starting at 11.20am.

The Williamstown senior line-up is:

B: Freeborn ~ Prestigiacomo ~ West

HB: Maxwell ~ Nixon ~ Mc Gough

C: Smoker ~ Fletcher ~ Cranage

HF: Lloyd ~ Cloke ~ Betheras

F: Molloy ~ Baldwin ~ Mahoney

R: Mc Kee ~ Shackleton ~ Davis

Inter: Crow ~ Hill ~ Hollow ~ Kelly
King ~ Mullins ~ Richards ~ Sheehan

For those who can't attend, Stereo 974 will provide a live call of the game. Tune in to Stereo 974 from 1.30pm to hear all the action - LIVE.

[Dale61]

[molloymagic]

I just heard on the radio,that williamstown beat the hawks,is this true?.

Just to let anyone who cares know,the Tasmanian Devils beat the Geelong Cats wooooooooohooooooooooooo

[Dale61]

Final score:

Will: 5.5.35 ~ 9.8.62 ~ 11.11.77 ~ 16.14.110
BH: 2.1.13 ~ 5.5.35 ~ 6.9.45 ~ 8.13.61

Goals: McKee 3, Davis 3, McGough 2, Baldwin 2, Shackleton, Molloy, Betheras, Mahoney, Maxwell, Cloke.

In addition to Williamstown's great victory, Sandringham beat Port Melbourne. From all reports, Williamstown's next game will be the preliminary final against the winner of the Port Melbourne v Tasmania game.

[maggie20ct]

yay! go willy, looks like a few boys had big games, so what next for the willy boys?

[maggie20ct]

oh sorry didnt read the last bit of ur post dale oops

[Dale61]

I posted the scores and goalkickers, then realised I had to add the last bit.

[maggie20ct]

ooohh i see...so did n e one play well enough to be up for selection next week aka molly, betheras and how did presti go?

[zoia]

davis might get a game next week

[Yobbo^LuKa]

This was a great game today! It was my first VFL game in yonks and loved it! Stunning Steve played magnificently and I hope to see him do well in the rest of the finals with Willi if they dont put him back in the seniors!

[Dale61]

Rupe were amongst the best, with Molly close to being BOG.

Leon was outstanding, and you could sense the crowd lift every time he got the ball.

Presti did some good things, but was often double-teamed to try to curb his influence.

I will post a more comprehensive wrap-up as soon as I can.

[Dale61]

Rain on the night before meant Williamstown was to face yet another heavy ground, and the thoughts amongst the fans was whether the players would have much to give after last weeks quagmire. Upon arrival at the ground, the centre square was a mess, but outside of that, the surface was quite good, although soft.

Williamstown started against the 5 goal wind, but it was Box Hill who took early control. Failure to worry the scorers was to be their downfall, as the strong Williamstown defence repeatedly repelled everything the Hawks threw at them.

The 'Gulls opened the scoring after a goal to Shackleton, which was soon followed by a snap by Leon that put the crowd on it's feet. McGough kept the scoreboard ticking over before Box Hill scored two of their own, but late goals to Molloy and a second to Leon saw Williamstown go in to the first break with a handy 22 point lead.

Box Hill opened the second quarter with two quick goals before the Williamstown midfield, led by Fletcher, Shackleton and Lloyd, and Richards winning his duel in the ruck, again took control. Rupe kicked truly, followed by a second to McGough and Williamstown were back out to a four goal lead.

Shackleton and Fletcher were everywhere and feeding the ball to the runners, whilst Baldwin was making a contest. When not taking the mark, he was bringing the ball to ground level for the crumbers to clean up. Another Box Hill goal against the flow of play bridged the gap to just over two goals, but two late goals, to Mahoney and Maxwell, saw the lead blow out to 27 points at the main break.

The conditions were beginning to show on the players as tiredness set in and the half time siren couldn't come soon enough for all players.

The third quarter saw McKee start at CHF, and was providing a target for when the ball came out of defence. The early Box Hill flurry was wasted, and after three shots at goal registered minor scores, Stunning took a strong mark deep in the forward 50. His goal extended the Williamstown lead to five goals, and Box Hill needed a miracle if they were to snatch victory from a far more committed blue-and-gold contingent.

Freeborn, West, King and Rupe were dominating in defence, with Kingy often taking possession deep and running through the lines, delivering into the forward 50. His attack at both the ball and the opposition players often gave his support crew possession.

Box Hill managed to jag a goal before Baldwin took a strong grab and goaled, and took the lead out to a match winning 32 points at the last change.

Box Hill appeared to have given up after McKee outpointed his opponent to kick 2 quick goals and end the game as a contest. Davis kicked his third not long after Cameron Cloke took a big grab on the wing over Shackleton and a Dawk. His inboard kick found a team mate, who then kicked out wide to a running Shack. The ball spilled out after Shack kicked to the front of the goal square where Leon pounced and waltzed in for his third. Further goals to Baldwin and Cloke saw the winning margin of 49 points give Williamstown the opportunity to freshen up with a week off before fronting up for the Preliminary Final against the winner of the Port Melbourne / Tasmania clash. Due reward for a brilliant months effort.

[Dale61]

Pics from the Qualifying Final.

[Dale61]

More QF pics.

[molloymagic]

Great report and great pics esp: the 2nd pic of Molloy.