North Ballarat has withstood a spirited Sandringham comeback to win by 14 points at Eureka Stadium, wrtes Nick Ciantar.
Bryce Curnow and Pat Nicholls were the heroes for the home side with six and five goals respectively in a fast-paced match.
In coach Gerard FitzGerald’s 300th game in charge, the Roosters got off to a flyer with the first three goals. They were winning the centre clearances and moving the ball quickly to their forwards of Curnow and Nicholls.
Liam Anthony was a stand-out in the first quarter with 11 disposals (35 for the match) and this enabled the Roosters to win easy possession.
But Sandringham rallied and only trailed by 18 points at quarter time.
Lenny Hayes played his first VFL match since 2007 for Sandringham and struggled on a big ground. Hayes only played half the game and finished with five disposals.
Ben Mabon and Sandringham's Tom Hickey battled all day in the ruck and provided an enthralling contest. Hickey got the better of Mabon in hitouts but Mabon was able to provide more of an influence around the ground, finishing with one goal.
The Roosters got out to a 32 point lead towards the latter part of the first half but Sandringham kept on coming and only trailed by 19 points at the main break.
Ahmed Saad stepped up to the plate for Sandringham in the third quarter and kicked the first two goals. But from then on, Curnow shined in a dominating third quarter.
The tall centre half-forward kicked four goals in a row and he was the major difference between the two teams. Myles Sewell (22 disposals) kept pressuring the Sandringham defence with his penetrating kicking and Curnow took the game by the scruff of his neck.
But the Roosters could not provide the knock-out punch and the Zebras remained within striking distance, just 25 points down at the last break.
Signs of a comeback improved early in the last when Saad (five goals) provided the highlight of the match, a spectacular overhead soccer style goal which saw the fans rise and applaud.
The Zebras got two quick goals but the Roosters replied and withheld a tired Sandringham team.
The Roosters did the damage in the first quarter by getting off to a flyer and Lachlan George was one of the best with 15 disposals. Nick Rippon was gutsy all day with 27 disposals, but it was the Roosters' ability to be effective with the ball that won them the game.
Sandringham was hurt with Hayes only playing a half of football and long kicker Arryn Siposs going down to a left shoulder injury in the third quarter. Tom Curren was a clear stand-out for the Zebras with 34 disposals and his explosiveness was evident all game.
Josh Saunders was consistent with 23 hard-fought disposals and Cameron Shenton (15 disposals, 1 goal) provided a valuable target up forward, as well as being a negating defender.
But the Roosters did it for their coach 'Fitzy' and Curnow stole the show with six goals as a powerhouse forward.
The Zebras enjoy a rest next weekend as part of the VFL’s split round, while the Roosters face Geelong at Simonds Stadium on Saturday to try and take their winning streak to four.
Last Modified on 30/06/2013 10:39