A cliffhanger one point victory to the North Ballarat Rebels over the Geelong Falcons lifted them to third place on the ladder in their TAC game at Geelong on Sunday.
Originally scheduled to be an AFL curtain-raiser at Skilled Stadium, the Rebels adjusted well to a change of venue and played the tight confines of St Marys Football Club’s Kardinia West Oval well.
The Falcons had first use of the wind but it was a solid defence led by Oliver Tate, Jason Linke and Josh Free that frustrated them and it was halfway through the quarter before the home side could manage a goal.
Two more quickly followed then it was back to defensive mode for the Rebels as they held on under pressure from the Falcons play-on style.
Geelong opted for a similar defensive style in the second quarter and to their credit kicked the first goal of the term against the flow of play as the Rebels had plenty of opportunities but were unable to capitalise.
Ryan Hobbs, replacing the injured Jordan Roughead, was prominent in the ruck duels and mid-term North Ballarat were able to open up their forward line which resulted in goals to Andrew Hooper and Taite Radley with all three coming from contested marks.
As has been the message all season from the coach, the third term would set the game up for one side and North Ballarat, led by Ryan McKenzie, Josh Cowan and Nicholas Suban who were strong around the contests goaled through Matthew Cranage in the opening minute.
The Falcons replied and then Tate with the assistance of a 50 metre penalty leveled the scores before the game reverted to a battle of the defences.
McKenzie capped off a great quarter for the visitors with a running goal to give them a seven point lead just before the last break.
Some disappointing kicking saw North Ballarat miss opportunities early in the final quarter until Will Young found the opening to set up a handy lead mid-term.
Some defensive errors and a free kick resulted in Geelong goals as the home side mounted a challenge and a third goal leveled the scores with only minutes to play.
The Rebels settled to take the ball forward to score and then defend for the final minutes to hang on for a well earned victory and jump in to third position on the ladder with two rounds left to play.
North Ballarat Rebels 8.20 (68) d Geelong Falcons 9.13 (67)
Best. Ryan McKenzie, Oliver Tate, Ryan Hobbs, Josh Cowan, Josh Free, Jason Linke.
Goals. Taite Radley 3, Matthew Cranage 1, Andrew Hooper 1, Oliver Tate 1, Ryan McKenzie 1, Will Young 1.
Last Modified on 08/02/2009 15:31
