Proctor hails Roosters’ maturity and spirit

NORTH Ballarat coach Clint Proctor has praised his side’s growing maturity and composure following a stunning 77-point win over BFNL powerhouse Melton.

The in-form Roosters overcome a shaky start to overpower the injury-hit Bloods for a 16.25 (121) to 6.8 (44) win at Mars Stadium.

Their fourth straight win catapulted North Ballarat to the top of the ladder ahead of a round 6 clash against winless Redan.

The Roosters set themselves a big task after heading into the quarter time huddle 24 points in arrears, but it was their response, starting with a 5-goal to nil second quarter, that stirred proud feelings in their coach.

Only inaccuracy – the Roosters finished the day with 25 behinds – prevented a bigger win, as a growing injury toll took hold on the Bloods, who slipped to 3-2.

Proctor said his side had shown great maturity to fight back against a high-calibre rival coming off an exciting win of their own over reigning premier Darley.

“It’s probably one of the better wins we have had as a team, even though we didn’t convert the goals we probably deserved,” he said.

“But I was really proud of their efforts, especially after quarter time.

“We were down by five goals at quarter time, so it was a big effort. I was thinking it was going to be a long day.

“I was up in the box and they kicked the first three or four, but as much as you are disappointed with that, there was some light at the end of the tunnel in that we’d given them all of the goals.

“We turned the ball over and in terrible areas of the ground.

“To be honest, I think the boys were that jacked and up about to really play well against Melton – as they are a team we really respect, as well as their history over the last few years – that they just got over-excited. They just tried to force issues, which resulted in a lot of turnovers.

“They were defending the ground really well, so we did have to change things.

“But the maturity came from being able to deal with that and resurrect it and get the game going again on our terms and to kick away.”

Already without several players due to injury, the Bloods were pushed further behind the eight-ball due to injuries to Brody Sullivan (soft tissue), Austin Thorneycroft (cork) and Alex Robinson (ankle),

The Roosters have a pressing injury concern of their own, with class on-baller Brock Leonard going down with a knee injury.

A feature of the Roosters’ four previous wins, they again had a nice spread of goal kickers, with Declyn Mcguigan leading the way with four goals.

Denver Grainger-Barras, who did not feature after half-time due to concussion, booted three, while Jye Lockett added two from 16 possessions and seven marks.

Proctor singled out Seb Collins, who again held down the ruck, and has grown in confidence with each game since crossing from Bendigo league powerhouse Sandhurst during the pre-season.

“He’s been a gem for us. He’s played the whole time in the ruck for us, and every week he has gotten better,” he said.

“He had a huge influence on the game in the second half and really took over the centre once their ruck went off injured.

“Obviously he’s hugely athletic and tough, so he fits into our brand really well.

“The boys love him.”

Inside mid Reggie Palmer produced a standout game with a game-high nine clearances from his 22 disposals, while ‘everywhere man’ Josh Morris again stood tall in his varied roles in defence and on-ball once Leonard went down.

Adrian Monitto with 40 possessions, Jordy Cottier (34), Harrison Hanley, Chase Scoble, Jaycob Hickey and Lachlan Phillips rated highly for Melton, while Braeden Kight kicked three of the Bloods’ six goals.

The Bloods clash was the last the Roosters will see of Grainger-Barass until late in the season, with the former top-10 AFL draft pick headed overseas for a couple of months.

His absence and the injury to Leonard will mean at least two enforced changes for the clash against Redan.

Reflecting on another intriguing round of results, most notably a rebounding Sunbury’s win over previously undefeated Sebastopol and Bacchus Marsh’s return to form against Redan, Proctor said it was increasingly clear no opponent could be underestimated in 2026.

“You just can’t drop your guard, but it’s great how the competition has shaped up,” he said.

“It’s very tight and it’s super important we look after our bodies and get ready to go each week.

“And it’s important know that we build on the good work we have done and continue to play our brand of footy.”