FINALLY — and emphatically — North Ballarat Roosters claimed the win they desperately needed.
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It took an eight-goal final term to break back against Coburg and build a buffer for a 27-point victory, which delivered the Roosters’ second win this Victorian Football League season.
The Selkirk Roosters returned from a bye round having dropped five of their six opening matches, including a heart-breaking one-point loss to Casey a fortnight ago.
Roosters coach Gerard FitzGerald said it was a fantastic win at Eureka Stadium that had so much weight attached.
“I think there was so much excitement because the pressure of needing to win added to everything,” FitzGerald said.
“The whole thing was compounded by a gut-wrenching loss to Casey two weeks ago when even though we lost by a point, there was four points up for grabs and we didn’t take them.
“We needed this win to stay in touch with the competition.”
FitzGerald said there was still plenty his team needed to analyse and learn from Saturday’s match to keep moving forward — but a strong response and win was a great step.
Coburg booted the first three goals of the match but the Roosters managed to work their way back in, helped by undisciplined acts by the Tigers under pressure.
The Tigers lost Richmond-listed key position player Luke McGuane for the match midway through the term with a knee injury.
Roosters playmakers Myles Sewell and Lachie George were particularly potent in the first half with Sewell on 21 disposals (including 16 in the second quarter) and George on 19 by the main break.
Play remained tight through the second half but the Tigers soon found themselves two-men down when ruckman Angus Graham was red-carded from the field for allegedly kicking Roosters’ defender Michael Searl with 25 minutes gone.
The Roosters then booted three unanswered goals to finish the term and take a 29-point lead into half-time.
This was soon whittled away.
Richmond-listed tall Jayden Post was moved from defence to play a key marking role up forward and booted five of his six goals.
Coburg had three goals on the board within the first three minutes – including two to Post.
Another two Post goals allowed the Tigers to snatch the lead inside 10 minutes back on the field.
FitzGerald said his team must look at how and why they let good leads — and momentum — slip so quickly.
Coburg played with more intensity, kicking with the breeze, from the outset of the third and were 10 points up at the final change.
The Roosters moved Searl on to Post, after his goal outburst, and the experienced defender managed to nullify the rampant Tiger.
FitzGerald was impressed with the way his team “arm-wrestled” through the final quarter to get the job done. The Roosters matched Coburg’s eight-goal to two third quarter by matching the effort.
North Melbourne-listed defender Aaron Mullett, dropped from AFL ranks this week, impressed with his commitment, running game and penetration. Mullett finished with 28 disposals.
Meanwhile, returned forward Paul McMahon booted four goals in his return from a hamstring injury.
McMahon, who has been sidelined the past five weeks, played 68 per cent game time and FitzGerald was pleased with his marking and kicking form.
North Ballarat 21.13 (139)
Coburg 17.10 (112)
