Proctor praises resilient Roosters after titanic battle

NORTH Ballarat coach Clint Proctor says he couldn’t be prouder of his side’s performance and resilience in a thrilling six-point upset of reigning premier Darley at Mars Stadium last Saturday.

A Jamie Quick goal two-and-a-half minutes out from the siren broke a 39-39 deadlock in what had been an arm-wrestle all day, as the Roosters prevailed 6.9 (45) to 5.9 (39).

The Devils’ seven-point lead at half-time was the biggest advantage enjoyed by either side at the end of any quarter.

Riddled with injuries and absences, the Roosters were without Sam Glover, Brock Leonard, Dec McGuigan, David Brinker-Ritchie, Simon McCartin, Reggie Palmer and Denver Grainger-Barras; Proctor putting the count of first-choice players missing at around 11.

Full of praise for his charges’ character and toughness, Proctor said the win was one of the most emotional he had been involved in during his years in football.

“Because Darley has been such a difficult opposition for our club for such a long time,” he said.

“They are a real powerful team … fierce. Bewley and Hind, Luther Baker, guys like that are really difficult to match up on. They are definitely still the benchmark.

“To have the amount of injuries we had and to perform like they did was just outstanding.

“I think coaches naturally go through the ebbs and flows of what could go wrong and what could go right,” he added, admitting to some doubts as to whether the Roosters could drag themselves across the line late in the game.

“But we had a plan today (last Saturday), so I’m really proud the boys stuck to it regardless of what the game presented.

“We didn’t fall away from what we wanted to do, so they executed it superbly.”

 

With the pressure levels way down in the previous week’s loss to ladder leader Sebastopol, Proctor was impressed with the Roosters’ relentless response.

“Last week we were beaten in the contest; we got shown what contested footy looks like,” he said.

“We weren’t able to stick our tackles.

“Let’s be honest, it was a pretty poor performance, as much as injuries had an impact late.

“But we brought up Joey Darbin, who has been a clubman for many years … he comes in and plays his third senior game. He’s a reserves boy, but he just cracks in. His pressure was really great.

“Fletcher McCarty comes in to the team, Charlie Darbin comes in, Finn Russell, Michael Hughes … there was six of them who haven’t played much footy at all.

“They bored in and our senior boys stood up as well and had some great moments.

“Jamie Quick kicking that goal under pressure was suberb.”

Superb could also be used to describe Quick’s mark, after impeccably reading the flight of captain Elliott Lamb’s incoming kick from half forward, to set up the game-winner.

Quick, who finished with four goals, Lamb, Tom Bromley-Lynch and Josh Morris led the way among the senior brigade, while 2026 recruit Seb Collins, on the dangerous Baker, continued his great start to the season.

Earning plenty of plaudits for his work in the ruck, youngster Finn Russell gave his side regular first use of the ball.

“I thought his follow up work was just as good,” Proctor said.

 

“We know what he can do. He played in the reserves last week and looked a class above.

“He looks like he’ll be a ones player for us for a long time.

“He’s in the Rebels program, but he hasn’t had much of a chance; he’s the second or third ruck there, but we still haven’t seen him here much.

“But if he’s here with us, he’ll be a great asset.”

Despite suffering their third loss of the season, Darley coach Dan Jordan remained upbeat.

“We were expecting a good arm-wrestle. We had our chances. We spoke about not taking our moments as well as they did in the end and that might have been the difference,” he said.

“To lose by a couple of points is disappointing, but I can’t fault their endeavour or effort.

“They cracked in. It was a highly physical game – we knew they would close it up.

“As soon as that rain came in it took away a few areas that we thought would be strengths for us.

“We just have to get down to the grind.

“We’ll butter up and go again with a few things to fix up, but again, I loved their effort.”

Billy Myers led the way for the Devils, who got great service from Lachlan George in conditions made to suit, Zane Le Huray, Brett Bewley and Nick Hind, the latter’s run and carry on full display early in the contest.

They have plenty of injury worries of their own, a situation exacerbated by the withdrawal of forwards Jayven Tanner and Will Johnson on game eve.

 

A tough clash against second-placed Ballarat at Darley Park awaits the Devils this Saturday.

Elsewhere, the Swans gradually wore down Sunbury at Alfredton Recreation Reserve for a 19-point win.

The Swans led by just three and four points at half-time and three-quarter time on their way to a 10.15 (75) to 8.8 (56) victory, their seventh from eight games.

Biggie Nyuon was pivotal with three final quarter goals, giving him four for the day.

Patrick Graham, Tristan Maple and Thomas Simpson were other standouts for the Swans.

Joshua Guthrie, Jack Newitt, Daniel Johnston (three goals) and Brock Landt led the way for Sunbury.

East Point put its 0-5 start the season even further back in the rear-vision mirror, claiming a third straight win with a convincing 60-point victory over Redan at Eastern Oval.

Jack Jeffrey (four goals) and Jarrod Joyce (three) made life difficult for the Lions in a 13-11 (89) to 3.11 (29) win.

The Kangaroos kicked eight goals to two in the second half.

Mickitja Rotumah-Onus, Jesse Cairns and Liam Howard all played key role for East Point, which despite being in eighth spot, is level on 3-5 with both Melton in sixth and Sunbury in seventh.

Rory Gunsser, Jake Connolly, Jacob Werts and Oscar Henderson battled hard for Redan.

Top-of-the-ladder Sebastopol came from behind to beat Melton at MacPherson Park by 12 points.

The Burra trailed by 18 points at half-time and three at three-quarter time, but rallied late for a stirring 13.10 (88) to 11.10 (76) victory.

Luke Kiel, Felix Henderson, Cooper Littlehales (two crucial goals), Ben Hutt, Gedd Hommelhoff and Ashley Munari (four) all delivered for the Burra.

For the Bloods, Caleb Burquest, Braedan Kight (four goals), Kyle Borg and Jordyn Cotter were strong.

Jack Kovacevic booted four goals for Bacchus Marsh in a 65-point win over a gallant Lake Wendouree.

The Cobras’ fifth win of the season was further led by Hunter Tudball, Zach Vesty, James McDaid, Josh Huxtable and Billy Griffiths.

Corey Rich (two goals), Alfred Jarnestrom, Kynan Raven and Liam Holmes were prominent for the Lakers.