VFL: Williamstown Premiers for 2015
Williamstown have taken out the 2015 VFL Premiership after steam-rolling the Box Hill Hawks at Etihad Stadium in front of 12,900 fans. The Seagulls jumped the Hawks in the first quarter with their small forwards carving their way through their taller opponents to open up a 21 point lead at the first break.
The Hawks managed a minor fight back in the second quarter however the Seagulls again bolted clear in the third before sealing the deal with a six goal to one last term to win handsomely, 18.12.120 to 8.18.66. It's Williamstown's first flag since 2003, when ironically, they defeated the Hawks at the then named Optus Oval now IKON Park.
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The goals were shared around with Cameron Lockwood, Dylan Conway and Andrew Gallucci all booting three while Michael Gibbons was adjudged best afield to win the Norm Goss Medal racking up 28 disposals with eleven clearances. Adam Marcon and Ed Carr, both with 22 disposals and six clearances provided plenty of inside hardness for the Seagulls while Willie Wheeler (18 disposals, six clearances) and captain Ben Jolley (24 disposals) were other major ball getters.
The Hawks had few winners with Jonathan Simpkin (29 disposals, seven clearances) and Will Langford (24 disposals, six clearances) trying hard to keep their side in the contest while Jonathan Ceglar (11 disposals, 34 hitouts) battled hard in the ruck. Box Hill responded from a slow start in the second quarter with goals to Sam Grimley, James Sicily and Sam Collins however they missed several other gettable shots on goal to let the Seagulls off the hook and trailed by just five points at the main break.
Williamstown promptly piled on five un-answered goals in the third quarter to break the match open and extended their lead to 26 points at the final change. Hawks midfielder, Jed Anderson, booted a fine goal just after the restart to keep their hopes alive but from there on it was a Seagulls procession booting the final six goals of the match to seal their Premiership win.
It was a disappointing end for Marco Bello's boys after taking out the minor premiership and hoping to atone for last year's grand final loss to Footscray. Williamstown coach, Andy Collins, who issued instructions from the side-lines much like former Hawthorn premiership teammate and now Port Melbourne coach, Gary Ayres, could be well satisfied with his side's season. The Seagulls finished the season proper in third spot and then narrowly defeated Sandringham in the qualifying final before eliminating a dangerous Essendon side in a come-from-behind preliminary final win.
Click here for pic gallery from Grand Final