NORTH BALLARAT and Northern Bullants are no strangers in September, but for the first time in three years they go head-to-head in a cut-throat final.
The Roosters and Bullants have squared off in the past two Grand Finals with North Ballarat emerging triumphant both times.
North Ballarat’s bid for an historic fourth successive premiership suffered an unexpected battering last week, but the Roosters can regroup at the expense of the Bullants in this weekend’s Semi Final.
Expect a far different North Ballarat team in both personnel and application than the one that lost by a season-high 67-points against Williamstown.
With so many forced changes to aligned club North Melbourne, the Roosters had just two Roos in the team against the Seagulls.
Season-ending surgery means North Ballarat will be without Roos’ Cam Richardson, Luke and Cam Delaney, but now that North Melbourne’s season is over, North Ballarat should be boosted by the return of Daniel Pratt, Aaron Mullet and Aaron Black.
Pratt will add some much needed experience to the team that has also lost captain Marc Greig for the season.
Black, who made his AFL debut last week against Richmond, is North Ballarat’s second leading goal kicker behind Derick Micallef.
While injuries have certainly hit North Ballarat hard, the Roosters are resilient and have shown before they rebound.
The defeat against Williamstown snapped an eight game winning streak, which started with a 44-point win against Northern Bullants in round 13.
Admittedly, North Melbourne’s Matthew Campbell kicked four goals that match and he won’t be playing this week, but the match was at Visy Park and North Ballarat were always seemingly in control.
Northern Bullants had to work overtime to defeat Bendigo Bombers in last week’s Elimination Final. The Bullants always looked the better team, but squandered so many scoring chances, which allowed Bendigo to stay in the match
Carlton’s David Ellard and young rookie Levi Casboult hitched the team on their backs with two brilliant individual performances. Ellard won the ball all over the ground while Casboult’s strong contested marking and five goals proved telling.
Northern Bullants will have a different look against North Ballarat with several Carlton players likely to come into the team.
While doubts hover around Matthew Kreuzer’s injured foot, Carlton is expected to recall defenders Michael Jamieson and Brett Thornton and midfielder Andrew Carazzo and certainly Ellard put himself in contention for a recall.
Consequently, several Carlton players who played against St Kilda last week will be back with the Bullants against North Ballarat.
Northern Bullants will again rely on the Blues Brock McLean to ignite the midfield, but North Ballarat boast its own classy midfielder Myles Sewell. It would be an engrossing duel if they went head-to-head.
The contest between North Ballarat’s Orren Stephenson and the Bullants Nick Meese in the ruck and the stoppages around the ground will also be pivotal.
Last Modified on 09/09/2011 15:14