Williamstown downed.

[Dale61]

Williamstown: 1.6.12 4.8.32 6.11.47 10.17.77
Springvale: 3.4.22 5.7.37 8.12.60 12.14.86

Goals: Cole 2, DeAngelis 2, Lloyd, Smoker, Kinnear, Swan, Scotland, Podsiadly.
Best: Podsiadly, Rippon, Anderson, Scotland, Kinnear, Fletcher.

Complacency seemed to get the better of Williamstown today as they failed by 9 points to get over the line against Springvale.

Springvale appeared to be the more desperate of the two sides all day, but a last quarter Williamstown fightback came up empty after a Heath Scotland 50 metre penalty put Springvale out of reach.

A sterling effort across half back by Rhyce Shaw, Andrew J. Hill (Wang) and Troy West had kept Williamstown in the game at the end of the first quarter, but the constant pressure applied by Springvale soon proved to be the back breaker as Williamstown failed badly across half forward.

Richard Cole showed the huge crowd flashes of his brilliance, but too many players went missing for too long. Adrian Fletcher was kept quiet for the first time this year and it was evident that Williamstown went nowhere without his influence.

The centre breaks were fairly even throughout the day, but Springvale used their opportunities better than their opponent.

Nathan Lovett-Murray was a stand out in the first half, whilst Cole chipped in for two goals, but many missed changes saw Williamstown go in at half time trailing by 5 points. James Podsiadly tried to lift the team in the second half when he started marking everything that came his way.

The wind shifted for the last quarter, and Williamstown's home ground knowledge almost got them over the line. By taking the ball to the beach side of the oval and letting the slight breeze do it's job, Williamstown dominated most of the last 30+ minutes. However, as soon as they got a sniff of victory, Springvale would clear it from the centre and kick straight down the corridor to full effect.

Not an earth shattering loss, but a loss that should have been avoided none the less.

"Racetracks are for racing, roads are for getting there."

[This message has been edited by Dale61 (edited 05 May 2002).]

[Greg J]

I have to agree with you Dale. A fairly lack lustre performance. Maybe the "heat" got to them. I certainly watched the game from the shade of the grandstand, I had come dressed for a cold windy match, but it was a sunny day.

From up there it is was hard to see as many positives as I saw last week. Podsiadly may have overhauled Kinnear, as the next tall to be selected. But given the fact, we have Tarrant, Cummings, Molloy and Richardson to return from injury, he may not be promoted anytime soon.

I wandered over to the 3rd quarter huddle, but was unimpressed. Only Shawie was trying to whip them up into a frenzied effort for the last quarter. Unfortunately his deeds did not match his words. A mistake or two, early in the last quarter cost us a goal.

As for Scotland, well, him giving up a 50m penalty late in the 4th quarter put paid to any chances we had of a remarkable comeback. Apart from that, there were enough flashes of brilliance, to keep him at the top of the list of the smalls to be next promoted (over Shawie).


Rule 1. Barrack for Collingwood
Rule 2. See rule 1.
Rule 3. There is no rule 3.

CARN DE PIES!
Greg J

[ramjet21]

at least the willo ressies had a win. huge one actually.

[Dale61]

ramjet21, one player that stood out in the Willy reserves huge win was Tristan Walker, one of Collingwood's rookie list players. In time, he will be, as Bruce Mc would say, 'spareshal'.

"Racetracks are for racing, roads are for getting there."