WILLIAMSTOWN again proved why it is the team to beat this season after defeating the Western Bulldogs by three goals in Sunday’s VFL Women’s Qualifying Final.

The first half was a very close affair, but after trailing by a point at the main break, the Seagulls kicked away with five goals to two to emerge victorious, 7.3 (45) to 4.3 (27).

Williamstown was quick out of the blocks, and within the first 30 seconds of the match had already entered its forward 50 thanks to some strong clearance work from Emily Eaves. Not long after, Sharnie Whiting registered the first score – a behind.

The Bulldogs then took the ball and for as hard as they tried, struggled to break through Williamstown’s defensive wall.

Eventually their persistence paid off and they found a way forward, resulting in Mia-Rae Clifford converting the first major of the afternoon.

The goal seemed to give the Bulldogs a spark of confidence, as they lifted their defensive pressure on the restart.

However, Williamstown eventually worked the ball back down its end where Brittany Gray ran in and slotted the Seagulls’ opening majors to restore their lead.

While the Bulldogs ended the quarter with the territorial momentum, they remained a point in arrears as the quarter time siren sounded.

The lower-ranked side got the better of the opening clearances and territory game in the second term, but struggled to translate it to any deep or significant forward 50 entries.

All the Bulldogs ultimately had to show for around 10 minutes of forward territory dominance was two behinds. Eventually they broke through for a major thanks to Mary Sandral.

After the Bulldogs slogged it out for a long-awaited goal, Williamstown responded off the very next centre bounce through Molly Simpson, and the margin was back to a mere point.

The Seagulls rounded out the half with plenty of momentum, but much like their opponents earlier in the quarter, struggled to really make the most of it.

As such, it was the Bulldogs who were one-point leaders at the main break.

Although the Bulldogs won the first centre clearance of the second half, it was the Seagulls who produced the first meaningful foray forward as they locked the ball in their half for many of the opening minutes.

They were eventually rewarded for this domination with a goal off the boot of Megan Williamson.

Eliza Straford kicked the side’s second goal for the term minutes later, and the minor premiers were finally starting to stamp their authority on the game.

Neve Crowley eventually kicked Williamstown’s third goal for the term, and things were starting to look a bit dire for those in red, blue and white.

The Seagulls almost had a fourth for the term in the dying seconds of the term, but a late gust of wind saw Whiting’s monster of a kick pushed offline.

The Seagulls went into the last quarter 19 points ahead, and with the confidence and momentum of the match fully in their corner.

It was the Bulldogs who began the final term with the forward territory advantage, but struggled to find a way through the Seagulls’ defence.

Eventually they did and they found the marking target of Eleanor Bishop who slotted through the Dogs’ third for the match to reduce the margin to just over two goals.

Renee Saulitis got another one for the Bulldogs minutes later and the comeback was truly on.

What hope the Bulldogs had was quickly quashed, though, as Crowley slotted her second goal to steady the ship for Williamstown.

Teagan Brett then stole the ball out of a pack and kick the Seagulls’ second in a row to further extend their lead.

As much as the likes of Stephanie Asciak and Jaimi Tabb were trying their hardest to keep their side in the match, their efforts proved futile as the Seagulls continued to show why they look every bit the competition’s premier side.

Brett’s goal proved the nail in the coffin as the Seagulls held firm to win their first VFLW final and move one win away from a Grand Final berth.

WILLIAMSTOWN 1.1 | 2.1 | 5.3 | 7.3 (45)
WESTERN BULLDOGS 1.0 | 2.2 | 2.2 | 4.3 (27)

GOALS:
Williamstown: N. Crowley 2, M. Williamson, E. Straford, M. Simpson, B. Gray, T. Brett
Western Bulldogs: R. Saulitis, M. Sandral, M. Clifford, E. Bishop

BEST:
Williamstown: E. Eaves, M. Williamson, L. Stepnell, S. Whiting, A. Thorneycroft
Western Bulldogs: M. Clifford, D. Carbone, J. Tabb, S. Skinner, K. Hardingham