Roosters stand tall against intrepid Swans

NORTH Ballarat coach Maddie Fitzpatrick has praised her side’s mental toughness after the Roosters stood tall when it counted in a nine-goal win over Ballarat.

While not the ‘complete performance’, the Roosters again demonstrated the resilience that has taken them all the way to the top of the BFNL ladder to eke out a 60-51 win in icy conditions at Alfredton Recreation Reserve.

Despite a slow start, the Swans, who trailed by eight goals at quarter-time, methodically worked their way back into the game to be within two goals of the Roosters with just over minutes to play in the final term.

But with the game on the line, the Roosters’ steadiness, experience and calmness shone through, allowing them to keep their unbeaten run this season intact.

Despite a 30-goal win to start the season over Ballarat, Fitzpatrick admitted the Swans’ bright form since that game had her side well prepared for a much tighter battle.

 

“We expected a really tough tussle. Seeing their results against Sunbury (a win) and Darley (a loss) over the last few weeks, we knew it wouldn’t have it easier than we did in round 1,” she said.

“It felt like they kept on coming at us and we couldn’t push them out beyond that five-goal mark until the end, which is something we are trying to work on.

“We tend to have really strong starts, but let teams back into it.

“There were some disappointing elements in terms of not hitting some of the things we are working on and trying to build on, but it was pleasing to be able to push it out to a nine-goal win.”

While she insists the Roosters have struggled to piece together a full four quarters most weeks this season, Fitzpatrick cannot doubt her side’s ability to pull through the quiet patches and stand up in big moments.

 

“There are so many teams in this league who can and do challenge us … you’re never getting an easy week, which is nice,” she said.

“But I would say we’ve only had one full 60-minute performance against Darley.

“We are really looking to do that consistently at the back end of the season.”

As has become routine, Fitzptarick was not afraid to ring the changes in personnel throughout the game.

Notably, reigning league medallist Maddy Selmon and former SSN training partner Kelsie Rainbow started the final term on the bench with the Roosters nursing a two-goal lead.

The first-year Roosters coach insisted it would be a feature of their game going forward.

“I’ve been really open with the girls that I want to make lots of changes,” Fitzpatrick said.

“You don’t win the hard games and you don’t make it through finals with just seven (players) on the court.

 

“It’s really important for everyone to be on the court in pressure changes.

“I guess it’s a privileged position to have the confidence in some of the younger girls, but have that experience on the bench to make an impact.”

Selmon (33 goals) was again hard to contain, while Lily Francis provided outstanding drive in the midcourt, while setting the tone with her defensive pressure.

Next up for the Roosters is a home clash against Sebastopol.

Elsewhere on Saturday, star goal shooter Olivia Cawthray propelled Darley to its second win over Sunbury this season.

Cawthray shot 58 goals at 82.86 per cent accuracy in a convincing 72-44 win for the second-placed Devils at Clarke Oval.

Caitlin Hill shot all but 10 of Sunbury’s goals, but it was to no avail as the Lions stumbled to their third loss of the season.

The Lions were seriously hampered by first-quarter injuries to Tayla Honey and Eliza Gollant.

 

At City Oval, a 55-23 win by Lake Wendouree over Redan allowed the Lakers to regain third spot from the Lions ahead of the two teams’ meeting this Saturday.

Young goaler Ebony Porter again excelled for the Lakers with 34 goals.

Fifth-placed Sebastopol moved to within two points of fourth-placed Sunbury with a hard-fought 39-31 win over East Point.

Wing defence Nikki Allen was in brilliant form for the Burra.

At Maddingley Oval, Bacchus Marsh survived a scare against Melton to score a crucial 43-41 win, helping them regain a spot in the top six.

Kim Phillips was the dominant shooter on court with 30 goals at 75 per cent.

Round 11: North Ballarat v Sebastopol; Redan v Darley; Melton v East Point; Bacchus Marsh v Ballarat; Lake Wendouree v Sunbury.