Match result: North Ballarat 11.10.76 defeated Geelong 4.5.29
Venue: Eureka Stadium
In action:
- Ryan Bastinac (21 disposals, 7 clearances)
- Aaron Black (15 disposals, 12 one percenters, 2 goals)
- Trent Dumont (28 disposals, 7 clearances, 7 tackles)
- Brad McKenzie (28 disposals, 5 clearances)
- Braydon Preuss (13 disposals, 15 hit-outs)
- Joel Tippett (15 disposals, 8 one percenters)
NMFC.com.au's best:
Joel Tippett
Matchups:
- Joel Tippett v Nathan Vardy
- Aaron Black v Jared Rivers
Story of the game:
Coming into the clash against Geelong with a two-match winning streak, North Ballarat was looking to avenge its loss to the Cats earlier this season.
It was a tight, low scoring first half between the sides. With only five goals combined, the Roosters headed into the rooms trailing by two points. They re-emerged as a different side, with all the momentum.
The second half was all the home side, kicking nine goals to one. Six of the majors came in the last quarter as North Ballarat won its third game in a row.
Points of interest:
1. Joel Tippett continued his excellent form as the leader of the Roosters’ backline. Against a tough matchup in Nathan Vardy, the Roo completely dominated.
“Tippo was outstanding,” Development Manager Ben Dyer told NMFC.com.au.
“He was never beaten in the one-on-ones against Vardy.
“Vardy’s had a few games back now, and he’s been kicking goals in the last few weeks so he was a tough matchup.
“Joel was looking forward to it, considering his good form in recent weeks. He defended exceptionally well and he was able to organise the team’s defensive shape as well.
“He read it well, made good decisions, disposed of it well. It was the best game he’s played at VFL level against a very good opponent.”
2. After his six appearances at AFL level, Trent Dumont had struggled to regain his best form in the VFL. That changed on Sunday as the midfielder excelled.
“It was by far the best game he’s played since he came back from his AFL games,” Dyer said.
“Firstly from a consistency point of view, across the four quarters he was a strong contributor.
“His work inside, both in winning the ball and putting players into space, was exceptional. Also his tackling, he was forcing secondary stoppages and holding them up frequently.”
3. Brad McKenzie has been on a roll in recent weeks in his quest for a senior game, and once again he was one of the Roosters’ best.
“Alongside Dumont, he was the other mid that was really influential,” Dyer said.
“He was running at the game, and even when he had players hanging off him sometimes, he was able to release under pressure.
“He’s driving aggressively and that’s giving him an extra bit of time to dispose effectively because we know what a good kick he is.”
4. Aaron Black had a tough matchup, opposed to veteran Jared Rivers for the majority of the afternoon. The key-forward worked hard and hit the scoreboard.
“Rivers was trying to wrap him up and scragging, so Blacky’s ability to get off him and get free was tested,” Dyer added.
“When he did, Rivers struggled to go with him, and Blacky went on long, searching leads and found the ball.
“He kicked 2.2 and was involved in a few other goals as well, so against a good opponent it was a good performance.”
Most likely call-up: Joel Tippett
Next week: Saturday August 15 v Collingwood, Victoria Park at 1:00pm
