North Ballarat registered their second win of the season last Saturday when they jumped Frankston early at Eureka Stadium to claim a 45-point win.
The win may have come at a cost losing small forward Billy Driscoll to a suspected broken foot midway into the second term. Driscoll had been in good form early in the year and is now set to spend a considerable amount of time on the sidelines as Shane Goss reports.
On a cool and overcast day the Roosters jumped Frankston in the first quarter. Kicking with the aid of a strong breeze, they piled on seven goals to nil; Cameron Richardson the beneficiary of loose defence scoring three of them.
North Ballarat didn't let up in the second quarter kicking five goals into the wind with former AFL Melbourne player Lucas Cook getting in on the act scoring two majors. Frankston however, failed to capitalise the other way, kicking only three goals, all to small forward Sam Lloyd.
At half-time the home side held a commanding lead of nine goals and the game was all but over. But the Roosters started the second-half as they began the first, kicking three quick goals to take the lead out to 72 points.
Their spread had the Dolphins on the hop as they used the open spaces of Eureka Stadium to hit targets up forward. Midfield dominance was going to be a key in the game and the Roosters had Frankston’s measure with the likes of Steve Clifton (26 disposals) and Myles Sewell (36) setting up many attacks.
Frankston did manage to fight the game out in the final quarter out-scoring North Ballarat six goals to three. However the game had been long over and the final margin of 45 points added some respectability for the visitors.
For the Roosters, Luke Kiel was superb in just his fourth game, holding dangerous midfielder David Gallagher to only four possessions whilst collecting eighteen himself in a best-on-ground performance. Skipper Michael Searl dominated in the air across half-back with twelve marks and Luke Delaney (24 disposals) provided run out of defence.
Frankston had triers in Ziggie Alwan (27 disposals) with eleven marks across half-forward and ruckman Russell Gabriel who had 42 hit outs in his battle with Ben Mabon. Shane Hockey had 36 disposals including nineteen handballs through the middle and Lloyd and Michael Loury (4 goals each) again provided options up forward.
Both sides face tough tasks in the next round after the state game break with North Ballarat up against the Northern Blues at Visy Park while Frankston are at home to Williamstown.
Photo: Shane Goss
Last Modified on 06/05/2013 16:55