Match result: North Ballarat 11.14.80 defeated Collingwood 6.9.45
Venue: Eureka Stadium
Conditions: Wet, windy and cold - standard conditions
In action:
- Aaron Black (11 disposals, 1.3)
- Trent Dumont (25 disposals, 11 tackles, 5 clearances)
- Sam Durdin (3 disposals, 3 marks, 4 one-per enters)
- Brad McKenzie (18 disposals, 6 marks)
- Braydon Preuss (12 disposals, 9 hit-outs, 7 tackles)
- Joel Tippett (10 disposals, 5 marks, 6 spoils)
- Max Warren (7 disposals, 4 tackles, 3 spoils)
NMFC.com.au's best: Trent Dumont
Match-ups
- Tippett v Mason Cox/Jarrod Witts
- Warren v Alex Fasolo
- McKenzie v Michael Still
What the coach said - Gerard FitzGerald
Quarter time: "I saw pressure from all over the ground and commitment to what we want to do. Now no uncontested (opposition) marks, contest after contest and let's use the wind."
Three quarter time: "Stay true to what we know will work, don't go outside that. It's not going to be pretty down forward, just make a contest. Distance, not possession. Discipline and commitment."
Story of the game
It was a seldom sight as North Ballarat and Collingwood clashed for the second week in a row. The two sides finished their pre-season commitments against each other at Victoria Park last week before the trip to Ballarat for Round 1.
Heavy, intermittent showers throughout the first half turned the game into a tight, tough scrap played mainly at ground level. For the first three quarters there was nothing in it, and the Roosters headed to the last break holding onto an 11-point lead.
The final quarter saw the home side break the game open. With the game played almost exclusively in North Ballarat's forward half, Collingwood was held to just one behind for the term. The Roosters cruised to a 35-point victory, their first in Round 1 since 2010.
Points of interest
1. Midfielder Trent Dumont had a busy game. Playing exclusively in the midfield, he had a monster second term in particular, winning 15 disposals, 4 clearances and 4 tackles.
"We needed a good second quarter and he provided it," Development Coach Jarred Moore told NMFC.com.au.
"He found plenty of the footy in and under. He'd be only human to think about the situation in the senior midfield at the moment, but he's got to keep going about his game and keep getting in there."
2. In tough conditions for key forwards, Aaron Black's work-rate was crucial to provide a target close to goal.
"He looked pretty dangerous at times," Moore said.
"He was moving well and also competed well. He ended with 1.3 and could have had a few more.
"He had double leads going and coming back towards the footy so he was definitely working better than last week.
3. Braydon Preuss' VFL debut was full of promising signs. He didn't look out of place in the heavy conditions, continuing to show his impressive agility and defying his 206cm frame.
"He's been showing a lot in most games. Now (to improve his fitness) we're getting him through full games.
"He'll go forward and then through the ruck in short stints. Even a few of the pickups at ground level showed he can certainly move quite well."
4. Brad McKenzie's 18 disposals were arguably worth more considering the rarity of clean possession in a heavily contested game.
"He certainly played his role and looked steady with ball in hand today.
"He looked sharper and to get involved in the play much more."
Most likely call up: Trent Dumont
Next week: v Werribee, April 25, Avalon Airport Oval
