Ben Mabon played his ‘best game of the year’ on Saturday, helping North Ballarat to a 14-point victory over Sandringham in the VFL.

The match had extra significance in Gerard Fitzgerald’s 300th game as coach, and the developing ruckman stood up in the moment.

“He’s been working on his aggression and getting after the footy after it hits the ground,” Drummond told NMFC.com.au of Mabon’s progress.

“It was the best he’s done it all year. He really had an influence with his follow-up and he got a lot of possessions that way after his ruck taps.

“He also pushed forward and got to some dangerous spots to kick a critical goal.”

The Delaney brothers were impressive, named among the Roosters’ best players once again.

“Cam and Keys were pillars of our defence. Who knows what the result would have been without those two down there.

“They were both hardly beaten all day and they’re in really good form. They won their one-on-one contests.

“With Sandringham having a lot of talls the boys more or less played to a structure rather than a genuine matchup.

“They had a number of opponents but they barely had a goal kicked on them all day.”

Elder brother Luke has come close to a senior call-up in recent weeks, and will further push his claims after another strong outing.

Meanwhile, ball-magnet Liam Anthony returned after a game at AFL level and excelled with space in the midfield.

“He played a bit more on the wing this week as opposed to spending some time inside. He ran hard and worked hard as we know he does and had an important goal at the end of the game.

“There are still different parts of his game we have to work at but we know he’s really good at that level and he was good again for us.”

Mitch Wilkins continued to add to his education, sharing opposite wings with North team-mate Anthony.

“He started the game really well; his first quarter was one of the best terms he’d played all year. He attacked the play and really showed some good intensity,” Drummond added.

“After that he dropped off a little bit and fell into his habit of giving his man a little too much space.”

As Wilkins adds another string to his bow further up the field, he has taken to the new challenge well.

“He’s started to understand the role already. His stoppage setups were good against Sandringham where last week he had a few lapses which were completely understandable.

“If you look at our team in the AFL now, a lot of the guys who play on the wing can also go back - Jamie Macmillan and others like (Shaun) Atley and (Aaron) Mullett.”

“It’s very difficult to play seven defenders so for guys to play on the wing and back in a defensive role is critical.”

Taylor Garner was close to selection for the Kangaroos this week, but didn’t have the impact he’s had in recent weeks.

“Taylor was really quiet in the first half before working into the game in the second half.

“Early he wasn’t getting to as many contests but he definitely picked up his work-rate and it was a lot better in the second half.

“His tackling pressure stood out and he worked his way into the game but he was quieter than in previous weeks.”

Having sat on the sidelines last week as match-day emergency, Ben Jacobs was welcomed back into the fold.

Drummond was full of praise for the former Port Adelaide player’s game.

“Ben had a role working off Cockie who was one of Sandringham’s inside-mids and a really good VFL player. His job was to be physical and make it tough for Cockie around stoppages and he did a really good job of that.

“He didn’t get a huge amount of ball but that hasn’t been the focus for Ben. We know he can find plenty of the football but we’ve been really working hard on his stoppage principles and he’s improved out of sight with that.

“His attitude to do the work during the week and get better has been first class so we’re continuing to see improvements that don’t necessarily show up in the stat sheet.”

Cam Richardson split his time between forward and defence, moving back in the second half.

“Richo was quiet as a forward but after he went back he started to contribute the longer the game went on.”

After another strong start, Max Warren landed awkwardly in a tackle and was unable to take part in the second half.

American-recruit Eric Wallace was among the best in the reserves as the Roosters notched their first win of the season.

“The (North Ballarat) coaches were wrapped with him. They thought it was the best game Eric has played.

“He’s started to spend a lot more time in the ruck as his work there evolves every week and he’s been a really good contributor over the last few weeks.”

North Ballarat 5.3.33, 9.6.60, 13.8.86, 17.12.114
Sandringham 2.3.15, 6.5.41, 9.7.61, 15.10.100

GOALS
North Ballarat: Curnow 6, Nicholls 4, George 2, Anthony 2, Hoy, Mabon, Horbury
Sandringham: Saad 5, Cockie 2, Michaliades 2, Shepheard 2, Marigliani, Ong, Shenton, White

BEST
North Ballarat: Anthony, Sewell, L Delaney, Curnow, C Delaney, Tate
Sandringham: Saad, Curren, Saunders, Barnhoorn, Michaliades, Cockie