By Ben Carbonaro
North Ballarat will meet Port Melbourne at Telstra Dome with a nail biting two goal win over Werribee Tigers in Sunday’s second preliminary final.
The game was neck-and-neck all day but it was the Roosters who had the aces in a captivating final term.
"I thought (Werribee coach) Simon (Atkins) coached this game really well. I thought we had control at one stage then he got his side back into it," North Ballarat coach FitzGerald commented post match on ABC TV.
"It was tight."
FitzGerald is now into his fourth VFL Grand Final as coach but is yes to taste the ultimate success.
"I don't know lady luck. Idon't know if she'll smile on me...we'll ask her," he said.
Rooster Brett Goodes lifted his workrate in the last quarter and Myles Sewell was damaging from half-back.
The Roosters target inside 50m was towering forward Josh Smith, who booted four goals and took strong overhead marks to create headaches for Atkins.
"It was a tough game...we knew it wasn't going to be pretty today, we thought who wanted it most and we were damn keen to be there on Friday (at the grand final at Telstra Dome)," he said.
"They came at us pretty hard in the third quarter but we consolidated at three quarter time and wanted the boys to get their headas over the ball and get in there first.
"All the boys are right behind 'Fitzy', we've worked hard for this and we'll give it our best shot on Friday."
Both the Tigers and Roosters played superb football during the first quarter, with a solitary point separating them at quarter-time.
North Ballarat stepped it up a gear during the second quarter, as they capitalised on some sloppy play and midfield turnovers from Werribee.
Tigers coach Simon Atkins urged his players on, encouraging them to dig deep and not let the Roosters dictate the terms in what was a cracking second half.
It was the game’s last ten minutes that ultimately cost the Tigers a spot in their first grand final since 2005 and a shot at premiership glory.
Atkins thought that his charges did not use the football as well as North Ballarat, after giving themselves an opportunity to win.
“I think they (North Ballarat) probably used the footy better than we did,” he said.
“(It was a) little bit disappointing in the end I think because we gave ourselves enough opportunities to kick a winning score but (North Ballarat) hung in and took the most of their opportunities.”
Michael Barlow accumulated 21 disposals and kicked three goals in what was a good performance in an otherwise disappointing team effort.
Reflecting on Barlow’s season, Atkins said that the 20 year-old’s consistency proved that he could perform at VFL level.
“One of the pleasing things was the consistency that Barlow got towards the end of the year, that’s when it’s up and about,” he said.
“He showed he could play at the level and tempo.”
Dominic Gleeson (20 disposals, 4 tackles) was again consistent in the midfield, but North Ballarat’s relentless last quarter pressure made it hard for the rover to have a serious impact.
Midfielder Flinn Chisholm applied a lot of defensive pressure (5 tackles, 3 spoils) as he didn’t stop running and made the North Ballarat midfield work hard for the football.
Tigers skipper James Podsiadly was again best on ground as he booted five goals despite heavy attention from the North Ballarat defence.
Big man Leigh Brown (21 disposals) was again versatile, as he rotated through the ruck and forward line but his efforts were in vain.
Port Melbourne faces North Ballarat in Friday's VFL Grand Final at Telstra Dome at 7.40pm. Tickets available through www.ticketmaster.com.au or at the gate. The TAC Cup Grand Final will kick off a massive Celebration of Victorian Football at 4pm.
Last Modified on 13/01/2009 18:06