The Southport Sharks went down to the Williamstown Seagulls by 10 points at DSV Stadium on Sunday Afternoon.
It was a tight and tense affair, but Williamstown did enough to win 9.9 (63) to 8.5 (53).
Williamstown had the breeze in the first quarter and kicked three goals to one.
The Sharks responded in the second quarter to claw themselves back to trail by four points at half time thanks to some quality goals from Dan Charlesworth and Boyd Woodcock.
Boyd Woodcock kicked another goal early in the third quarter to get the margin back to three points before Jay Lockhart kicked a goal from forty metres out to get the Sharks in front.
Unfortunately for Southport, Williamstown stabilised and kicked two goals late in the third quarter to lead by 10 points at three quarter time.
Woodcock kicked his third goal two minutes into the last quarter to cut the margin to four points, but the Seagulls responded with the next two goals.
Jay Lockhart kicked his third goal late in the quarter, but it was too little too late as the Seagulls held on for an important win in the context of the season.
After the match, Southport Coach Steve Daniel admitted that he thought at three quarter time that his boys could get on a roll in the last quarter, come home strongly with the breeze, and win.
Daniel said, “Credit to Williamstown, they were able to finish the game well, and not let us use the breeze to our advantage in the last quarter.”
“Their aerial marking was sensational, especially by their key defenders Oscar McDonald and Marty Hore.”
“I thought our boys fought hard, but in the end, we just weren’t good enough.”
“It’s a tough pill to swallow, but our year is not done yet, so we have just got to keep competing and there is no better way to respond then playing Richmond at home this week.”
Southport’s game against Richmond is on Saturday, 15 July at 11:35am at Fankhauser Reserve.
WILLIAMSTOWN SEAGULLS 3.4 4.5 7.7 9.9 (63)
SOUTHPORT SHARKS 1.1 4.1 6.3 8.5 (53)
Goal Kickers: Jay Lockhart 3, Boyd Woodcock 3, Daniel Charlesworth 2
Best Players: Boyd Woodcock, Daniel Charlesworth, Jay Lockhart, Jacob Dawson, Zach Molloy, Matt McGuinness.
Image Credit: Martin Keep Photography
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