There’s no doubting the ability of Brad McKenzie, but after seven games at AFL level, timing is everything.

Averaging just 45 per cent game-time during his stint in North Melbourne colours, the 20-year-old relished the opportunity to have an extended run for North Ballarat on Sunday.

“He (McKenzie) got brought back not necessarily through form. Everyone has been happy with the way he’s been going about it,” North development coach Josh Drummond explained to NMFC.com.au.

“He had a bit of a lack of game-time and couldn’t get a full game under his belt. A return to the VFL provided that chance.”

McKenzie played around 80 per cent of the game, mainly on the wing and racked up 25 disposals in a five-point victory over Collingwood.

His precision foot-skills proved vital when the game was in the balance. 

“Brad's attitude was terrific. He got better as the game wore on. I thought the last quarter and a half his kicking really stood out as the game started to open up. He did his best in helping the team win.

“He’s definitely put his name up to hopefully get himself back in the frame (for senior selection) straight away. It was a good four-quarter performance.”

With just five Kangaroos' players in action, North Ballarat was brave against a highly-credentialed opponent. 

“On paper (the Magpies) they had a pretty strong outfit. Blokes like (Andrew) Krakouer, Kyle Martin, Ben Hudson… it looked at times as though we might be up against it, and they got out by three or four goals in the second quarter, but to our boys credit they fought back.”

Liam Anthony was another player who had a big influence late. After a quiet game last week, he returned to his best with 38 touches.

“He was back to the LA that we know. He certainly knows how to find the football.

“He was pretty quiet in the second quarter, but his second half was huge. I think he had about 24 touches in the second half to help us get on top.”

Down back, first-year player Mitch Wilkins (14 disposals) continued his steady improvement, helping the Roosters to hold sway when the heat was on.

“It’s probably been the first time he’s strung three or four good weeks together," Drummond added.

“Playing against men is a big step up from junior footy, but he’s starting to really feel like he belongs at the level. His defensive work has been really solid. His tackling has been good and he uses the ball really well.”

In the ruck, Ben Mabon faced one of his greatest challenges of the season, and battled valiantly.

“He (Mabon) had a tough day against two dinosaurs in Jarrod Witts and Ben Hudson,

“He didn’t have a big impact in the first three quarters, but his best quarter was the last and that’s when we needed him to stand up. He started to really impact around the contest.

“The other guys (Witts and Hudson) didn’t have too much influence around the ground, so Ben was pretty good at stemming their influence."

Cameron Richardson had a quieter day, but was involved in setting up some vital passages of play.

2013 Peter Jackson VFL
North Ballarat   3.2  4.6  11.10  14.12 (96)
Collingwood   3.2  7.6  9.11  13.13 (91)

GOALS:
North Ballarat: Driscoll 4 Searl 3 Sewell 2 George  Clifton  McKenzie  Keeble  Horbury 
Collingwood: Martin 4 Boland 2 Broomhead  Paine  Hellier  Kennedy  Krakouer  Seedsman  Collopy 

BEST:
North Ballarat: Clifton Sewell Hoy Driscoll Curnow Anthony
Collingwood: Oxley Broomhead Krakouer Ramsay Seedsman Boland

In the reserves, American rookie Eric Wallace was praised for his continued improvement in the ruck.

“His game-time was pretty high. It was a good experience for battling through the fatigue, which is a bit of a learning curve for him. He had about 41 hit-outs,” Drummond said.

“His ruck-work the last few weeks has been getting better and better. We know he can get his hand on it through his athleticism, but he's showed good touch and is starting to get it to good spots.”