VFLW Match Report: Round 5 vs Williamstown
18/05/2025
The Zebras' first loss of the season comes in heartbreaking fashion.
Photography by Jake Phillips
First Quarter
Williamstown came out firing, generating the first few inside 50 entries and applying early scoreboard pressure. While they capitalised on a 50-metre penalty to register the game’s opening goal, we soon found our rhythm. Winnie Laing’s early forward pressure helped tilt momentum, while Erica Fowler stood tall behind the ball, cutting off multiple inside 50s. Abbey Tregellis was pivotal through the middle, with several key clearances keeping the game in the balance. Despite the ball living in Williamstown’s forward half for most of the term, our backline stood strong to limit the damage.
Quarter Time: Sandringham 0.0 (0) to Williamstown 1.3 (9)
Second Quarter
We stormed out of the blocks after the break, dominating territory and locking the ball inside 50 for the first five minutes. Imogen Evans was rewarded for her pressure with a holding-the-ball free kick and calmly slotted our first goal of the game. Our intensity lifted across the ground, with Chloe Saultry proving instrumental in defence and then showing her class up forward, converting a stunning running goal from 40 metres out. The quarter was defined by our relentless forward pressure, turning the tide and heading into the main break with the lead.
Half Time: Sandringham 2.3 (15) to Williamstown 1.3 (9)
Third Quarter
A rocky start to the second half saw us concede another 50-metre penalty, allowing Williamstown to level the scores. However, we responded with fire. Isobel Hartog lifted the side with physical efforts and a crucial smother. Grace Hodder took charge late in the term, picking up cleanly off a stoppage and nailing a composed goal from 35 metres out. It was a strong finish to the quarter, swinging momentum back in our favour.
Three-Quarter Time: Sandringham 3.4 (22) to Williamstown 2.4 (16)
Fourth Quarter
The final quarter began with the intensity you’d expect. Evans laid a ferocious tackle early, but Williamstown answered back with two majors in quick succession, taking a seven-point lead. We kept pushing. Hartog’s intercept work was crucial, launching us forward, but we couldn’t convert. In a dramatic final few minutes, Arianna Clarke broke through to kick a clutch goal and bring the margin to just one point. Despite late surges forward, we couldn’t find another score, going down in heartbreaking fashion.
Full Time: Williamstown 4.5 (29) def. Sandringham 4.4 (28)
Sandringham Zebras: 0.0 2.3 3.4 4.4 (28)
Williamstown: 1.3 1.3 2.4 4.5 (29)
Best Players: I. Evans, D. Jolliffe, A. Tregellis, E. Fowler, C. Saultry, W.Laing
Goal Scorers: C. Saultry, G. Hodder, I. Evans, A. Clarke
Written by Liam Brauer - Sandringham FC Media