Reinforced Roosters to relish Bloods challenge

NORTH Ballarat coach Clint Proctor says the Roosters will learn plenty about themselves over the next few weeks, starting with a home showdown against a red-hot Melton this Saturday.

The Roosters will be coming off a thumping 86-point win over a depleted Sunbury last Saturday, while the Bloods will be on a high after dethroning reigning premier Darley by 24 points at MacPherson Park.

A polished performance by the Roosters followed a 98-point victory over East Point to catapult them into third spot on the ladder at 3-1, behind only Sebastopol (4-0) and Melton (3-1).

It’s wins of that ilk that the Roosters hope will propel them back into the finals mix after narrowly missing out last season following a final-round loss to Darley.

“It’s been good for the boys to enjoy a couple of big wins because they are hard to come by in this competition,” Proctor said.

“We’ve found a bit of form, but hopefully some method that enables us to play against the best, which we are going to find out soon.

“Melton are definitely the in-form side of the comp, beating Darley on the weekend.

“It’s going to be a big contest, but we’re looking forward to it.”

Proctor put his side’s improved early season form down to several factors, including some handy inclusions, a stiffer defence and an improved run on the injury front.

“There’s no doubt adding a bit more stability to our key posts, like Sam Glover in the backline,” he said.

“We’ve also got Jarrod Curran back, who didn’t play at all last year.

“And with the inclusion of Jye Lockett, we now have a bit more stability in key areas and that has freed up a few of our lads like Josh Morris, Isaac Carey and Jamie Quick, and they are starting to find some form.”

Those three were all among the Roosters’ best against the Lions, with Quick in devastating form with six goals.

Denver Grainger-Barras again chimed in with three.

“I think also we are starting to learn what works for us and what in the past hasn’t, and that is a little bit on me as a coach,” a candid Proctor added.

“We’ve found confidence off our contest work and an ability to score off.

“Denver kicked a few (against East Point), Jye kicked five last week and Jamie Quick kicked six this week; that’s a really promising sign that it’s not just one person getting the job done.

“Elsewhere, stoppages are slowly getting better and they’ve been our biggest issue, but we are getting there.

“I feel we have found the balance with our team.”

In reference to stoppages, Proctor insisted the return in a few weeks’ time of giant ruckman David Brinker-Ritchie (likely against Redan on 16 May), who is yet to play a game this season, would further address that issue.

Fletcher Loader will miss the clash against the Bloods after dislocating his ankle against Sunbury

A big next month for North Ballarat will include Melton, Redan, Sebastopol and Darley.

Proctor said the Roosters would relish the challenge against the Bloods, with nothing short of a full-team effort needed against one of the league’s most even and disciplined outfits.

“Melton, and most people would know this, are very even across the board; you shut one down, someone else gets off the chain,” he said.

“As a team and as a unit, we have to be really diligent with our defending.

“If we can limit their intercept marks and stop their run and kicking game, that will help us get the game on our terms a bit.”

Elsewhere, Sebastopol moved to 4-0 with a 150-point win over Lake Wendouree at C.E. Brown Reserve.

Geelong league recruit Joel Edwards starred with 12 goals as the Burra welcomed back Lachlan Cassidy and Bailey Medwell (two goals).

Adam Forbes continued his prolific streak around goal with three, while Toby Hutt, Luke Kiel, Gedd Hommelhoff, Ben Hutt and playing coach Tony Lockyer made life difficult for the Lakers, who were best served by Harley Hicks, Tyson Walsh, Tom Zampatti and Will Clark.

For the second week in a row, Ballarat took a half to break free, this time against Redan.

The Swans trailed at both quarter-time and half-time, but took control with a four-goal-to-two third quarter before again finishing strong in the last.

Patrick Graham, Bailey Fraser, Biggie Nyuon (four goals), Paddy Simpson, Tyson Richard and Rhys Perry led the Swans’ charge.

Oliver Pittard, Lachlan Mclean, Bailey McKay and Harry Lawson rated best for the Lions, with coach Marc Greig praising his young players’ effort in what he declared another ‘great learning opportunity for their all-round game’.

Four goals from Brody Sullivan and big-game performances from Jaycob Hickey, Harrison Hanley, Jack Walker, Liam Carter and Austin Thorneycroft were features of Melton’s win over Darley.

It was the reigning premier’s first defeat since round 1 of last season, also against the Bloods.

Round 5 (Saturday 9 May): Darley v Lake Wendouree; Ballarat v East Point; Bacchus Marsh v Redan; Sunbury v Sebastopol; North Ballarat v Melton.