Venue: Eureka Stadium, Ballarat
Conditions: Cold, 9 degrees, surprising lack of wind and rain
In action
- Liam Anthony (35 disposals, 14 contested, 8 clearances, 6 inside 50's)
- Trent Dumont (19 disposals, 8 clearances, 1 goal)
- Eric Wallace (10 disposals, 28 hit-outs, 1 goal)
- Max Warren (19 disposals, 1 goal, held J.Garlett to 13 disposals)
- Mitch Wilkins (8 disposals, 2 goals)
NMFC.com.au's best: Max Warren, Liam Anthony
Matchups
- Eric Wallace v Cameron Wood
- Max Warren v Jeff Garlett
- Liam Anthony v Dennis Armfield/Joel Wilkinson
What the coach said - Gerald FitzGerald
Quarter time
"Defensively; really good after about the eighth minute, so good signs. Don't give them as many uncontested marks so that means we'll put more pressure on."
Three quarter time
"We've got mobile forwards and space to work in when we go forward. You demand of each other what you expect in the first five to seven minutes so we can set the tone."
Story of the game
On a cold Sunday afternoon in Ballarat, the Roosters started slow conceding the first two goals. However the home side battled back into the game through the lively Wilkins up forward. His two first term goals gave North Ballarat a 10-point quarter time lead.
A tight second quarter saw just two goals to each team and then the Blues came out firing with early momentum in the third term. However it turned out to be the moment the Roosters made their game winning break. Moving the ball quickly by foot, they shot out to a 24-point lead with a quarter to play.
From there they were never threatened, running out 40-point winners to bounce back from last week's disappointing loss to Werribee.
Points of interest
1. Bouncing back after a demotion from the senior side, Liam Anthony was his usual, consistent self collecting 35 disposals despite a tag team of Dennis Armfield and Joel Wilkinson spending time on him.
"When Armfield and Wilkinson went to him pretty strongly, he was able to work through it. They (Armfield and Wilkinson) were pretty happy to make sure that one of them had him at all times.
"He was able to hunt the ball as a way of dealing with it. He kept getting it done inside and it was a good response from him." - Ben Dyer
2. Shadowing Carlton-listed Jeff Garlett for the entire afternoon, Max Warren emphatically took the points in the battle. Warren had 19 disposals and his first ever goal for the Roosters, while holding Garlett scoreless with just 13 disposals.
"It's the first time he's had a role on a quality AFL player and followed them everywhere. When he had (Steven) Motlop and (Daniel) Giansiracusa he took them when they were forward only.
"He not only nullified him and defended first, he was also able to come off him and link up with his teammates."
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| Warren chases the ball on the way to one of 19 disposals. Photo: David Bruty, NB Roosters |
3. Trent Dumont implemented new strategies in the contest at Eureka Stadium in the way to eight clearances; a product of work done at training.
"He did it pretty well at times. He hadn't found as much of the ball as normal, but credit to him, he really got the side going with a couple of early clearances in the last quarter.
"He's going to do a little extra conditioning over the next few weeks to help work on his outside game and his spread as well."
4. Mitch Wilkins has spent time up forward in the last fortnight and it may be the best position for him in the future.
"Sometimes it's easier for guys to play back because they're led to the game and they've got the game in front of them.
"He's (Wilkins) almost the opposite to that. He knows where the ball's going and when he's decisive enough and moves quickly enough, he tends to attract the ball."
5. Eric Wallace had a slightly different role to normal for the Roosters after doing his work at the stoppages against Wood.
"After the stoppages, Eric was pushing forward. It was an opportunity for Eric to test the defenders out by pushing forward into space and he was able to get on the end of one, marking and goaling."
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| Eric Wallace contests a centre bounce at Eureka Stadium. Photo: David Bruty, NB Roosters |
Most likely call ups: Max Warren, Liam Anthony
Next week: Sunday 20th July - Eureka Stadium - Bendigo Gold - 2:00pm
