From Hobsons Bay Leader
Reported by Luke D'Anello
Full Story Click Here
THE script would have described Sunday's VFL local derby between Williamstown and Werribee as a battle of two premiership contenders and one likely to be decided in the final minutes.
Instead it was a one-sided rout from early in the match as the Seagulls underlined their credentials, while the Tigers were left to clear the considerable wreckage.
Williamstown's 83-point win was its 10th in succession against its great rival and it was an awe-inspiring display.
The signs were ominous for the Tigers after just 120 seconds when Patrick Veszpremi nailed the first major of the match.
At quarter-time, the home side held a 40-point advantage, but it only got worse for Werribee.
The Tigers were more competitive in the second term, but failed to bridge the gap, and the Seagulls then focused on boosting their percentage.
They kicked the only five goals of the third term to boost their lead to 75 points before finishing off in style to complete a 19.15 (129) to 5.16 (46) victory at a sun-drenched Burbank Oval.
"We probably didn't see it coming, the final margin," Williamstown football manager Chris Dixon said.
"We were very pleased with the way we went about it and definitely coming out of the blocks so strongly in that first quarter.
"It's certainly very early on in the season and I think what's been shown so far across the board is that it's going to be a very, very even competition. Probably early on while a lot of AFL clubs have got players up and going, it's going to be a really, really even season.
"As good a win as it was, we've got Casey next week and we know they'll have a lot of good Melbourne players. Out at Casey Fields, it's going to be a really tough game."
Willie Wheeler gathered 34 possessions in midfield, while Steve McCallum limited the influence of last season's JJ Liston Trophy winner Ben Ross.
Captain Ben Jolley, Cameron Wood, Fletcher Roberts, McCallum and Veszpremi each kicked three goals. "They were just too good for us. They got their match-ups right and just outworked us," Werribee coach Scott West said.
"They had us on the back foot right from the start. When you go in seven goals down at quarter-time, you're always up against it.
"It was just a difficult game and one that they played really well in and we played poorly."
Big man Ben Brown performed well for the Tigers, along with 23rd player Billy Iles, but few others fired.
Werribee will next meet Sandringham at Avalon Airport Oval on Saturday.
