Collingwood Clipped By Old Friends, Port Wins

The Sunday Age

Sunday April 6, 2008

Carley Jellett

WILLIAMSTOWN beat its former friend, now foe, Collingwood, by 68 points yesterday, while Port Melbourne fought hard against Sandringham to win by one point.

The Seagulls kicked nine goals to one in the final term to turn a 21-point three-quarter-time margin into a 68-point thrashing, 25.12 (162) to 14.10 (94).

Williamstown's four big forwards were a handful for Collingwood's defence at Burbank Oval, with Patrick Rose kicking five goals, Dean Galea four and three each to Wayde Skipper and Callum Urch.

Seagulls coach Bradley Gotch said Williamstown's forward line was the side's strength.

"We're going to be hard to match up on for most sides if we can keep rotating around and not be too predictable," Gotch said. "I think that's our strength at the minute."

Collingwood was within reach for most of the day but the Seagulls' strong last quarter blew the Magpies away.

"It looked to me like (Collingwood) still had a lot of their main guys in at centre bounces, so they had done most of the midfield most of the day. So probably our legs at the end had a bit more than them," Gotch said.

Collingwood coach Gavin Brown said fitness was not an issue. Williamstown was simply too good.

"It was just that they played really well. They were really good and we weren't," Brown said. "It was pretty much as simple as that."

Gotch said the elevation of Ben Reid and Alan Toovey - two of Collingwood's best players last week - to the AFL squad helped Williamstown, but Brown said such losses were part of fielding a stand-alone team.

"It's not too disruptive because that's what we are all about," he said. "That's why we are stand alone."

The exclusion of key defender Jack Anthony and Ryan Lonie, both emergencies for Collingwood's AFL match against Richmond today, may have some bearing on the Magpies' selection for the match.

"Possibly (they might play)," Brown said. "Just have to wait and see what happens."

Tim Walsh stood out for Collingwood with four goals and AFL-listed player Chris Dawes was impressive with two.

At TEAC Oval, Port Melbourne's thrilling victory gave the club its first win for the season, toppling Sandringham, 17.7 (109) to 16.12 (108).

Port Melbourne's Adrian Bonaddio and Luke Cotchett stood out with three goals each, while Sandringham spearhead Nick Sautner kicked four and young midfielder Shane Valenti finished with three.

Sautner was reported for allegedly charging Stephen Brewer, further souring the Zebras' loss.

North Ballarat continued its winning way, beating the Bendigo Bombers 16.16 (112) to 9.6 (60).

© 2008 The Sunday Age

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