The North Ballarat Roosters are still searching for their first win in the Peter Jackson VFL this season after failing to haul in the Casey Scorpions on Saturday as Dave O'Neill reports.
The Roosters stormed home from six goals down at three quarter time but couldn’t quite close the gap on the Scorpions, who posted a nine-point victory, 13.17 (95) to 12.14 (86).
An eight-goal-to-two second quarter by the Scorpions proved the difference, a period Roosters coach Gerard FitzGerald said was in stark contrast to the brand of football they played in the final term.
“Casey kicked eight of their 13 goals in one quarter and we were disappointed by our inability to shut down the game down,” FitzGerald said.
“We were starring down at fairly sizeable deficit in the fourth quarter but we came home really strong and showed a lot of spirit and belief.”
Melbourne-listed forward Jesse Hogan did most of the damage for the Scorpions, bagging four goals and taking more than a dozen marks.
The 18-year-old is ineligible to play for the Demons this year but already appears as one of the Scorpions’ most important players.
For the Roosters, it was familiar faces Steve Clifton (3 goals), Lachlan George (2) and Myles Sewell who led the way, working overtime around the stoppages to curb the influence of James Magner.
FitzGerald said he was also happy with the contributions of North Melbourne-listed duo Ben Jacobs and Max Warren, along with first gamers Luke Kiel and David Peel.
This week the Roosters renew an old rivalry when they take on Bendigo Gold on Friday night at 6.30pm.
With both sides looking to secure their first points of 2013, FitzGerald said it was a game his side couldn’t afford to lose.
“We haven’t been strong enough for long enough in games so far this season and that’s certainly the focus this week,” he said.
“We’ve never played under lights at Bendigo, and I’d like to congratulate the City of Bendigo for their work in getting night football up and running at their great old ground (the QEO).”
The Scorpions can make it three wins on the trot when they face Essendon at Windy Hill on Saturday.
Photo: Morgan Hancock
Last Modified on 15/04/2013 16:35