CAM Richardson is North Ballarat's newest hero in the Victorian Football League.
In only his second senior appearance for the Selkirk Roosters, Richardson kicked the winning goal against Collingwood at Princes Park, Carlton, on Saturday.
But it was more than this that made the day a special one for the youngster.
Richardson kicked another goal three minutes earlier to level the scores and was also part of another key play in attack in a tense final countdown as he had almost 20 touches.
However, it is the last passage which gave North Ballarat what was to be the match-winning lead that will remain with Richardson for some time.
Recruited from North Ballarat City in the BFL, Richardson pick pocketed Collingwood and goaled on the run.
The Magpies made one last surge and were scrambling at ground level within 10 metres of goal when time ran out with the score 17.5 (107) to 15.12 (102).
North Ballarat coach Gerard FitzGerald said for the second week running the Roosters had produced a "trademark" performance to get the premiership points.
He said the outcome was proof that the effort North Ballarat had become renowned for should never be underestimated.
"We've come back from a belting to be two (wins) from three (games)."
North Ballarat and Collingwood had opportunities to take the match by the scruff of the neck at various times.
Each enjoyed runs, but it looked like the Magpies might have the last say with a four-goal to one burst early in the last term as their tall forward line took control.
It was then that Michael Wundke stepped up and his fellow North Melbourne-listed forward Corey Jones again cast his influence on the encounter to enable the Roosters to make their run.
The return to form of Wundke and Jacob Spolding was instrumental in the outcome as each kicked four goals.
Wundke and Spolding have taken a while to find their feet, but they could not have chosen a better moment to stand tall.
Billy Driscoll (two goals) was also busy in attack in a solid four-quarter effort, Tom Roach again ran his way into prominence and Matt Sharkey slipped straight back into defence as if he had never been away with injury.
FitzGerald said the win was most satisfying given Collingwood had only lost to competition benchmark Williamstown and among its two wins got over Bendigo at Bendigo, which was always a tough assignment.
He said with Collingwood fitting into the old "AFL reserves" model, its players were always going to be up and running at the start of a VFL season owing to the extensive nature of their pre-season.
"They're so highly tuned.
"They exposed us for pace."
North Ballarat 4.2 9.4 13.5 17.5-107
Collingwood 4.2 9.7 10.10 15.12-102
North Ballarat
Goal Kickers: J. Spolding 4, M. Wundke 4, C. Jones 3, B. Driscoll 2, C. Richardson 2, J. Smith, T. Cartledge
Best Players: C. Jones, M. Sharkey, J. Spolding, M. Wundke, C. Richardson, T. Roach
Collingwood
Goal Kickers: D. Stanley 4, C. Bryan 3, B. Dick 2, T. Goldsack, S. Sidebottom, D. Peverill, J. Blight, S. Cox, K. Pendlebury
Best Players: D. Stanley, S. Sidebottom, S. Cox, T. Thoolen, D. Peverill, K. Pendlebury
