Williamstown have taken out the VFL minor premiership after downing Footscray by 43 points in the final round at a cool VU Whitten oval in Footscray. After an even first half the Seagulls skipped clear in the third quarter booting six goals to one to seal their position at the top of the ladder winning 14.17.101 to 8.10.58.
Lachlan Schultz and Sam Dunnell each kicked three for the winners while the Bulldogs eight all came from individual goal kickers. Williamstown had good players all over the ground including 2016 J.J.Liston Trophy winner, Michael Gibbons, who gathered 32 possessions and took eight marks and Brett Bewly with his precise and penetrating kicking through the midfield. Schultz was lively around goal while Adam Marcon helped his side dominate the stoppages and Nick Sing continued his good form down back.
Footscray were well served by Will Hayes who gathered many possessions around the ground, Kieran Collins tried hard in defence and Josh Prudden worked hard around the packs. The Bulldogs had plenty of AFL experience in the side with Tom Boyd, Tory Dickson, Mitch Wallis, Clay Smith and Mitch Honeychurch all running around.
Blustery conditions made life tough as neither side were able to get a clean run at goal early with both defences working hard. Just nine goals between them at the main change with Williamstown holding a fourteen point lead. They increased their lead with five unanswered goals in the third quarter before Prudden was able to peg one back for the Dogs in time-on. A highlight of the term was a sky scraper of a mark by Seagull's forward Arryn Siposs in the pocket at the Barkly st end.
Forty-three-points the difference at the final change as the Seagulls charged towards their first minor premiership since 2010. Footscray fought it out in the last quarter matching the Seagulls for endeavour and on the scoreboard with both sides kicking three goals.
Williamstown were too strong however and they now host the Casey Scorpions in next week's Qualifying Final. Footscray are now in a cut-throat Elimination Final against Essendon at North Port Oval, a repeat of their round eighteen thriller at Windy Hill when the Bombers snuck home by five points would have competition officials licking their lips.
