Historic day for North City

BALLARAT'S newest major league football team North City has tasted success for the first time at its 25th try.
In its second season in the Bendigo Football League, North City crushed Kangaroo Flat by 82 points at Bendigo on Saturday.
"It's a great day for football," yelled one player as North City broke into unprecedented celebrations that lasted long into Saturday night.
Balben North City coach Shane McCarty was constantly swamped by ecstatic players and had a smile that would have been difficult to steal away as he highlighted the players as the reason for the win.
"The boys locked themselves in a room after the loss last week and chatted among themselves to bring home a few truths about their performances," he said.
"They have shown glimpses against the top sides but there was a big difference this week."
The young squad was even more enthusiastic when, at halftime in the Kangaroos-Adelaide match, their win was shown on the country football scoreboard.
As the scoreline appeared on the screen, the pub roared with delight and burst into the club song.
Among all the commotion McCarty said: "My biggest concern after the game was whether the players knew the words to the club song."
Of the players that took to the field yesterday the average age was 19.
The win highlights what is to come in the future for the club.
After the match, captain Adam Richardson said on a Bendigo radio station: "I've won three junior premierships but this is the best feeling ever."
City won back more than respect and is getting better with every game it plays.
"Both sides wanted the win and Cam (Richardson) absolutely killed (Ty) Zantuck," Richardson said.
"It was the best game we've played."
Club president Paul Leahy has been riding every North City kick from the last two seasons.
"We didn't focus on result, we focused on respect." Leahy said
"It's respect for our great game of Australian Rules, ourselves, our team mates, the coaches, the game plan, the club and the umpires. It is interesting to see what a group of young blokes can do."
Leahy's son, Andrew, was best on ground for City despite only being an under-18s player.
"Everyone knew what jobs they had and they went and did them to the best of their ability," Leahy said.
On the week ahead, Leahy highlighted that nothing is easy before looking to the match against Kyneton this Saturday at AUSTAR Arena.
For the fledgling club it is the biggest highlight of their short history in the Bendigo Football League.
Given time, it will be the first of many.