Match result: North Ballarat 14.10.94 defeated Northern Blues 11.6.72
Venue: Etihad Stadium
Conditions: … it’s Etihad Stadium
In action
- Aaron Black (10 disposals, 2 goals)
- Trent Dumont (22 disposals, 5 clearances, 7 inside 50’s, 5 tackles)
- Sam Durdin (7 disposals, 5 spoils, held Liam Jones to 1 goal)
- Aaron Mullett (18 disposals, 5 inside 50’s)
- Braydon Preuss (15 disposals, 13 hit-outs, 5 clearances)
- Joel Tippett (14 disposals, 7 marks, 4 spoils)
- Max Warren (16 disposals, 100% kicking efficiency, 4 one-percenters)
NMFC.com.au's best: Trent Dumont
Match-ups
- Aaron Black v Tom Fields
- Sam Durdin v Liam Jones
- Joel Tippett v Matthew Kreuzer/Robbie Warnock
Story of the game
Playing a rare game at Etihad Stadium as the curtain-raiser to the clash between Carlton and the Giants, North Ballarat was looking to continue its 100 per perfect record at the venue.
The Roosters won all three grand finals they played at Etihad between 2009-2011, and after an even first quarter they kicked away from the home side.
Up by nearly six goals late in the third quarter, North Ballarat was able to cruise the rest of the way home, only occasionally challenged on the way to a comfortable 22-point victory.
It was a much needed four points for the Roosters, as they headed into the game on a three-game losing streak.
RELATED: Mullett finds touch
Points of interest
1. After a slow start in the first quarter, Trent Dumont worked his way into the game to be one of the Roosters’ best by the time the final siren sounded.
He had an equal game-high 22 disposals with a mix of inside (11 contested) and outside (11 uncontested) and used the ball well with seven inside 50’s.
“22 in shortened quarters wasn’t a bad return,” Development Manager Ben Dyer said.
“He was a bit outside early and getting away from what he’s good at. But after quarter-time, and especially in the second half he just willed himself on the contest and extracted the ball.
“When he was forward for brief moments he just offered something different. He knows where to run and he’s smart enough to get involved.
“Once he got involved overall I thought he was quite influential.”
2. Sam Durdin spent the afternoon on AFL-listed Liam Jones and performed extremely well, holding his opponent to one goal and minimal influence.
Considering the late change in his preparation, Durdin’s performance was impressed.
“He would have played on Matt Watson but he was called up (to Carlton) late,” Dyer explained.
“To Durds’ credit, he did his homework, watched the vision of Jones and worked out how to play against him.
"He (Durdin) was able to play the game on his terms, rather than being reactive.
“He’s got a good read on the game and to identify where the forward wants to go and stop that is a big thing.
3. Max Warren was a rock in the Roosters’ defensive half, winning the majority of his one-on-one contests while going at 100 per cent efficiency with his 13 kicks.
“He was super today. He saved a couple of deep balls and then he used it exceptionally going the other way," Dyer said.
“In transition he was finding teammates and they didn’t have to break stride. When there’s overlap going, to kick well is crucial and he was able to do that.”
4. With Jarrad Waite reported and Ben Brown leaving the field injured in Friday night’s victory over Essendon, Aaron Black had an opportunity to put his name forward to make the trip to Perth next weekend.
He finished with 10 disposals and two goals in a well-rounded game.
“We had him higher (up the field) early to try and get him involved and I thought he brought some real energy into his game, which was probably just a little lacking last week," Dyer said.
“His intent was there and he tackled well. He wouldn’t be 100 per cent happy with it at the moment but I don’t think it’s too far away from turning for him."
Most likely call-up: Trent Dumont
Next week: Sunday May 24 v Footscray, 2:00pm at Whitten Oval
