After a number of positive performances in recent weeks the undermanned Northern Knights suffered a major set back at the hands of the North Ballarat Rebels. Missing key players in Michael Hurley, Anton Woods, Steven Kelly and Captain David Zaharakis the Knights fielded a more inexperienced team than previous weeks.
In the first term the Knights were kicking with a difficult wind that was mainly blowing across the ground. Not only did North Ballarat restrict the Knights to only one goal, they kicked six goals into it. While it can be said the wind disadvantaged both teams due to the difficult direction it was blowing in it should have been favouring the Knights more than the Rebels.
The Rebels continued their goal scoring ways in the second quarter with four majors, while the Knights failed to register a score at all.
It was a sad state of affairs heading in to half time with a ten goals to one deficit, however the Knights responded with their best quarter of the game by kicking four goals, including two to Michael Still.
The last quarter was much the same as the second, with the Knights been kept off the scoreboard altogether, meaning that all of their scoring happened at one end of the ground and that four of their five goals were in the third term.
In a day with very few highlights Luke Stanton was a prime ball winner and helped spark the Knights into action in the third. Stephen Witkowski and Dylan Grimes were serviceable in a back line that was under siege all day due to an unaccountable midfield. Josh Stavely tackled hard and gave a contest, while second game ruckman Joel McLellan showed some good signs.
North Ballarat Rebels 15.11.101 def. Northern Knights 5.5.35
Goals: Still 2, Boyden, Lincoln, Brunelli
Best: Stanton, Witkowski, Stavely, Still, Grimes, McLellan
Last Modified on 02/09/2008 11:18
