Match result: North Ballarat 5.10.40 defeated by Williamstown 17.19.121
Venue: Eureka Stadium
Conditions: Surprisingly sunny and clear
In action
- Sam Durdin (10 disposals, 6 spoils)
- Brad McKenzie (6 disposals - first half only)
- Braydon Preuss (8 disposals, 10 hit-outs)
- Joel Tippett (11 disposals, 8 spoils)
- Max Warren (12 disposals, 4 one-percenters)
NMFC.com.au's best: Max Warren
Match-ups
- Sam Durdin v Scott Clouston
- Max Warren v Anthony Anastasio
What the coach said – Gerard Fitzgerald
Talking to the Ballarat Courier after the game, the Roosters’ head coach was looking forward to next week.
"There are lessons we can learn particularly from the second quarter," Fitzgerald said.
"The first 15 minutes of the game we showed we competed well with Williamstown - neither team had kicked a goal and we had a chance to kick three.
"We need to regroup and show resilience now. That will be the next challenge for the group."
Story of the game
After a tight start in good conditions at Eureka Stadium, the ladder-leading Williamstown side quickly flexed its muscle.
Seven unanswered goals in the second term had the Roosters staring at a 57-point half-time deficit and without Trent Dumont (AFL game-day emergency) and Aaron Black (late North Melbourne inclusion) in the side, it was going to be a long road back.
Brief flashes in the third quarter offered some hope, but after kicking the first two goals of the quarter North Ballarat found itself on the back foot again, eventually defeated by 81 points.
Points of interest
1. On a tough day to play down back, Max Warren was adjudged to be the best of the North-listed players.
Playing against Williamstown goalsneak Anastasio, Warren kept his opponent quiet when the game was close, before being released further up the ground to try and create some more offensive run for the Roosters.
“Unfortunately the damage was done by that stage,” Development Coach Ben Dyer said of Warren’s move up the field.
“But he used the ball well when he did get it later on and had the majority of his disposals in the last quarter after his work defensively.”
2. Sam Durdin and Joel Tippett were under the pump at times against a Williamstown outfit that racked up 61 inside 50’s.
“Sam battled hard against a good forward at VFL level in Clouston but he probably lowered his colours,” Dyer said.
“But he sets up quite well with his starting positions and does that naturally quite well.
“Tippo did his best considering they were under siege throughout the afternoon. He scrapped pretty well, was able to spoil well and was able to get in good position.
“The whole defensive unit did all they could considering the scoreline.”
Next week: Richmond v North Ballarat, Saturday May 9, 11:00am at Punt Road
