Match result: North Ballarat 6.7.43 defeated by Richmond 11.9.75
Venue: Eureka Stadium
Conditions: Cold, strong wind straight across the ground
In action
- Ryan Bastinac (34 disposals, 15 clearances)
- Aaron Black (12 disposals, 6 marks, 2 goals)
- Taylor Garner (14 disposals, 6 marks, 6 tackles)
- Brad McKenzie (24 disposals)
- Aaron Mullett (14 disposals)
- Braydon Preuss (8 disposals, 37 hit-outs)
- Joel Tippett (13 disposals)
- Max Warren (15 disposals)
NMFC.com.au's best: Ryan Bastinac
Story of the game
On a blustery day in Ballarat, conditions were tough for all involved. Remarkably North Ballarat went goalless in the first half, yet only trailed by 14 points at the long break.
The match was heavily affected by a wind blowing straight across the ground, meaning it gave no advantage to either end.
North Ballarat remained within striking distance until the last quarter, when Richmond kicked six goals to run away with a 32-point victory.
Points of interest
1. In his second VFL match of the year, Ryan Bastinac was again North Ballarat’s most influential midfielder.
After 29 disposals against Casey a fortnight ago, Bastinac notched another 34 against Richmond, with a huge 22 contested disposals.
“He played as an inside midfielder all day and his hands were fantastic in congestion,” Senior Development Coach Gavin Brown told NMFC.com.au.
“He used the ball pretty well and he really set us up with his 15 clearances.”
2. Taylor Garner made a surprisingly quick return from a fractured thumb. After originally being expected to miss up to six weeks, the 21-year-old missed only one match and picked up right where he left off before the injury.
“His tackling was a real highlight, hitting the ball extremely hard both on the ground and in the air,” Brown said.
“He was probably a little fumbly at times because of the thumb guard but that can happen. His effort in the contest was terrific and he’s coming on really well.
“It’s a pity he had that (thumb) setback but now he’s moving well and he did some things that were pretty impressive.”
3. Working in tandem with Bastinac through the middle of the ground, Brad McKenzie was impressive on the way to 24 disposals. He ran hard to create, with eight handball receives.
“It was his best game for the year, playing both inside mid and on the wing,” Brown said.
“He used the ball really well and was clean while also tackling strongly and competing well.
“It was really pleasing and an all-round good game.”
4. On a tough day for all key-position players, Aaron Black worked hard up forward for the Roosters.
“Considering the conditions, to take six marks and kick two goals was a good performance,” Brown explained.
“His work rate was really good. He got up the ground and then worked back hard, making himself hard to play on.
“He competed well and his all-round effort was quite good.”
5. After missing the last week before the bye due to a one-week suspension, Braydon Preuss rebounded by giving the Roosters a significant edge in the ruck. He had 37 hit-outs and four clearances.
“He was either ruck or off … he didn’t go forward too much, but he dominated the ruck after (Shaun) Hampson pulled out of the game.
“His centre bounce work was much improved – he’s working hard each week on what he needs to improve on.”
Most likely call-up: Ryan Bastinac
Next week: Saturday July 11 v Box Hill, 1:00pm at City Oval
