Collingwood will play host to the Peter Jackson VFL match of the round for ABC TV this Saturday when they take on the North Ballarat Roosters at Victoria Park. Both clubs are looking for their first win of the year, to open their account early in the season.
The Magpies were last week strengthened in their VFL line up with experienced AFL players such as Chris Tarrant, Sharrod Wellingham and Dayne Beams. Kris Ugle was their main target to goal kicking four goals, but they will need to find other avenues to defeat the Roosters this weekend.
Aaron Black was the leading avenue to goal for North Ballarat last weekend, but the Roosters struggled to overcome the defensive pressure of Sandringham in round two.
Looking back at their opening game defeat, Collingwood’s VFL Coach Tarkyn Lockyer has been able to see the positives from their 12 point loss to Geelong.
“Although it was disappointing to lose the game, we did well to finish the game strongly after a slow start and nearly pinched a victory. Pleasingly we had several experienced players get through the game well and have a real impact.”
The Magpies will be approaching this weekend’s game ready for a tough challenge against a team that has held such a successful record in recent years.
“We expect this week’s game to be a very strong contest. North Ballarat would be disappointed to lose their first two games and we expect them to be looking for a win this weekend,” Lockyer said.
“We understand they have a very proud history and play a very disciplined style of football. It will be a focus for us to also play with this strong discipline to beat them.”
North Ballarat will be entering this game as if it were any other, with coach Gerard FitzGerald not dwelling on their first two defeats.
“We had a slow start in 2011 as well, losing 4 of our first 5 games including the Foxtel Cup. The first two round losses will not shape our season.”
However, FitzGerald has called upon his unique coaching methods that allow all facets of his teams’ game to be measured and consequently create individual accountability.
“Our first two rounds have highlighted that we have not played well enough for long enough.
We have had too many goals scored against us and have also been well beaten on stoppages,” FitzGerald said.
“We will look at improving our efficiency of kicking into the forward 50 as well as providing solid targets up forward. All of these can be and have been measured and we will improve on each aspect.”
Round 5 last year saw a great contest between the two clubs at Victoria Park, with Collingwood finishing victors by 1 solitary point. However, they do not enter with the expectation of a similar result without some hard work.
“I don’t know if you can read too much into the win last year. Our side will have significantly different personnel and we will expect the same from North Ballarat,” Lockyer said.
Collingwood vs North Ballarat live on the ABC, Saturday at 1pm.
Click HERE to view the ABC TV commentary teams preview of the Collingwood vs North Ballarat game
Last Modified on 05/04/2012 21:55