The Seagulls handed Bendigo its biggest-ever VFL defeat of 176-points at Burbank Oval.

Coach Aussie Jones expected the match to be Bendigo’s biggest challenge of the season so far and, unfortunately for the Gold, he was right, as they went down 30.27 (207) to 5.1 (31).

Williamstown set the tone by drilling seven goals to one in the opening term and didn’t let up in the second.

The Gulls slammed home 13 goals to two to take a 115-point lead into the long break and added eight more in the third quarter as Bendigo went scoreless.

One small positive for the Gold was it matched Williamstown’s two goals in the final term.

Stroobants said the Gold paid the price for an uncompetitive effort, but added the players were remaining upbeat.

“It was very disappointing, because the past few weeks we’ve definitely showed some improvement,” he said.

“The boys have still got a good mindset. 

“We know we’re all talented enough to play at that level.

“It’s just whether we have the mindset on game day to do the things that win you footy games, which is wnning the contested ball and being willing to chase and tackle - just the basics.”

Williamstown had a host of Western Bulldogs in its side, including  best players Patrick Veszpremi, veteran Daniel Cross and Mitch Wallis, but Stroobants said it was no excuse for the result.

“We were just non-competitive for the whole game,” he said.

“We put a couple of blokes to them to give them a learning experience, which was probably a positive to take out of it.”

The Seagulls had 14 individual goalkickers, with Jarrad Grant, Anthony Anostasio and Charlie Nastasi each booting four.

Stroobants, second-gamer Jack Sheahan, Tom Hams, Alik Magin and Jake Aarts kicked one each for the Gold.

18-year-old Galen Munari, fresh out of the Bendigo Pioneers’ TAC Cup program, was the Gold’s best in just his fifth VFL game.

“Galen played in the back pocket and he was just really competitive in the one-on-ones,” Stroobatns said.

“He very rarely gets beaten in one-on-ones, which is good for the team. We have a lot of guys who don’t know the right position when the ball’s coming in, but he seems to know the right position. 

“It’s a good competitive nature he’s got.”

Centre half-back Nathan Beck fought hard, as did Aarts, Pat Flynn, Riley McIvor and Stroobants, but the Gold had few shining lights on a dark day.

Although he said the loss was unacceptable, Stroobants called for patience with the young squad.

“By the end of the year if everyone has 15 or 16 games VFL experience, then the end of next year it’s 20 or 30, so  everyone will get improvement out of that – that’s what we’re looking for.”

Williamstown moved to second on the VFL ladder on percentage after its fifth win, while winless Bendigo is last.

The Gold’s next match is at Coburg City Oval from 2pm on Sunday.