Match result: North Ballarat 11.2.68 defeated Casey 6.12.48
Venue: Eureka Stadium
Conditions: Surprisingly good for a June afternoon in Ballarat
In action
- Ryan Bastinac (29 disposals, 5 clearances, 6 tackles)
- Aaron Black (19 disposals, 8 marks, 6 one percenters)
- Brad McKenzie (18 disposals, 5 marks, 4 inside 50’s)
- Aaron Mullett (16 disposals)
- Joel Tippett (8 disposals, 5 spoils)
- Max Warren (10 disposals)
NMFC.com.au's best: Ryan Bastinac
Story of the game
Looking to snap a losing streak that had left them falling dangerously out of September contention, the Roosters hosted Casey on Saturday afternoon.
The home side took a slight edge into half time in an absorbing encounter, with its accuracy the difference in the match. It was 6.2 to 3.6 at the long break, and the difference grew when the sides re-emerged from the rooms.
In what would end up being a decisive third term, North Ballarat booted four goals straight to Casey’s 2.4, giving it a crucial 22-point edge with a quarter to go. It proved to be enough, holding on for win number three of the season, heading into the bye with form and confidence back.
Points of interest
1. In his first VFL game since 2011, Ryan Bastinac was hugely impressive. Dealing with a tight tag from start to finish, the midfielder notched 29 influential disposals.
“The tagger was all over him, wrestling him from go to woe,” Gavin Brown explained.
“He made Basti work really hard for it, so it was really pleasing to see him roll the sleeves up and come back with a good attitude.
“He had most of his touches playing as an inside midfielder, it was a good day for him.”
2. The presence of Bastinac shifted Brad McKenzie out to a more customary role on the wing, where he didn’t disappoint.
“He played the role really well and used it well by foot.
“When he was in tight he was still clean, it was a solid day.”
3. Last week Aaron Mullett had 28 disposals. This week he had 16. So how can the game with 16 be the better one? Brown explains:
“He was really hard to play on today and dominated his opponent which was really pleasing.
“He defended better than last week and he still used the ball really well by foot when he got it.”
4. After a first half spent at full forward, Aaron Black moved around the ground in the second to greater effect.
“He played higher up and got involved after half time. To have 19 touches is a lot for a forward and his ground level stuff was really good.
“He was clean and his hands were creative. Overall it was a good day for him.”
Most likely call up: Ryan Bastinac
Next week: Bye
