A six-goal last quarter proved the difference as Williamstown overran the Northern Blues to win by 32 points at Visy Park on Saturday afternoon.
In an arm wrestle of a match between two teams hunting for spots in the top eight, Northern started brightly through a Luke Mitchell quick-kick for goal.
The first quarter laid the platform for the rest of the afternoon as brilliant defensive efforts all round ensured both clubs found avenues to goal very difficult. Jeremy Laidler typified the Blues’ save-a-goal attitude with a brilliant chase-down tackle on Williamstown’s Jarrad Grant, running into an open goal.
The Seagulls kicked away to grab a lead in the second term that they would hold for the rest of the afternoon.
Matched against Western Bulldogs-listed forward Ayce Cordy, Matthew Watson (21 disposals) was outstanding notching up double figures in spoils before half time.
Andrew McInnes was also brilliant, regularly lending a hand as a zone-off defender, while Nick Duigan’s first half was prolific. Northern’s defensive desire was again exemplary through Duigan and Aaron Joseph saving two certain goals on the goal line.
Williamstown got out to a 13-point lead with three minutes left in the second term, yet goals to Mitchell and superb snap out of congestion from Dylan Buckley saw the margin cut to just 2 points at the half.
Out of the main break, the Seagulls’ Tory Dickson grabbed two of his four goals as Williamstown continuously held a one-goal lead through to three quarter time.
Rob Warnock (21 hitouts) was superb in the ruck for the second week running, rewarding himself with a great goal out of the ruck during red time of the third term.
The Blues would push themselves to draw level with Williamstown at the five-minute mark of the final term, yet a few missed opportunities on goal proved that would be as close as they got.
A loss in the area of uncontested possession (184-214) told the story for the Blues as they were out-worked, out-possessed and out-scored in a last-quarter avalanche of goals.
Mass representation at contests saw the Seagulls swarm to outnumber the Blues like hot chips. Six forward 50 marks in the final term represented Williamstown’s ability to find loose men in dangerous positions and ultimately see off Northern’s hopes.
Tom Bell was outstanding in the centre to finish with 25 possessions (11 contested), while Watson and McInnes restricted Cordy and Grant to just one goal each.
Frazer Dale was a livewire as a utility in his return match after a week off last round, while Nick Graham backed up last week’s quality debut with 17 possessions in his first full match.
The loss sees Northern cling to seventh spot on the VFL ladder, yet coach Luke Webster told carltonfc.com.au he was pleased with his side’s intent for the majority of the match.
“Really pleased for how the boys’ cracked in and really took it up to Williamstown,” Webster said.
“We levelled and won a few areas that we highlighted going in. But when we slacked off, they hurt us.
“Williamstown in the end were probably a bit cleaner in some of their contested possession and feeding it to their outside runners. They’re a good side and they can really hurt you in uncontested situations.
“Our back six were excellent today. Guys like Andy (McInnes) and ‘Watto’ were outsized on their opponents today, yet got the job done.”
The Northern Blues enter a tough period of the competition that starts with a trip to Casey Fields to take on the third-placed Casey Scorpions on Saturday afternoon.
NORTHERN BLUES 2.3 4.4 5.8 7. 10. (52)
WILLIAMSTOWN 1.3 4.6 6.9 12. 12. (84)
GOALS: Lambert 2, Mitchell 2, Buckley, Warnock, Visser
BEST: McInnes, Lambert, Watson, Bell, Taglieri, Gianfagna
Matthew Lodge covers Northern Blues games for Carltonfc.com.au. You can follow him on Twitter: @MatthewSLodge
