Ruthless Burra power past Roosters

SEBASTOPOL playing coach Tony Lockyer has hailed his side’s 59-point win over North Ballarat last Saturday as the perfect encore to their round 6 triumph over reigning premier Darley.

The Burra maintained their hold on top spot and sent the Roosters crashing from second to fourth with a ruthless 14.15 (99) to 5.10 (40) victory on home turf at Marty Busch Reserve.

It was a win based on relentless pressure, hard-running and a full four quarter effort.

“We wanted to match the intensity from the Darley game and we did, particularly in the last quarter and how we finished it off,” Lockyer said.

“I’m just proud of what we did for the full quarters.

“(Pressure) is the fundamental of our game and we want to get it right and we delivered on it.”

There was no let-up for North Ballarat, with the Burra’s pressure and attack on the contest as fierce at the end of the game as it was early.

Averaging 114.25 points scored across their last four games, the Roosters were restricted to just 5.10, with the third quarter the only one producing more than one goal for the term.

With their five-game winning streak before Saturday being built on a wide spread of contributions, particularly up forward, Lockyer impressed the need for every Burra to play their role against the Roosters.

“We knew North would do that; they’ve had a very even spread of contributors across the ground,” he said.

“We felt we did that right across the ground. It was a great effort.

“One of our team values is relentlessness – it’s something we want to be known for.

“There are some things that contribute to that word and we have some actions associated with that word and we delivered on that.”

Jacob Fletcher rose to the occasion with a three-goal performance and was damaging early, while Toby Hutt capped off some great work in the ruck with two goals.

Star on-baller Lachlan Cassidy capped his 100th game in style with a dominant midfield effort, while Luke Kiel, Bailey Medwell, Jack Bambury, Jack Buckley, underrated defender Callum Stewart and youngster James McDonald all brought their best.

More subdued early, Felix Henderson was everywhere in the second half and kicked two goals.

With another big test against a rebounding Melton up next, Lockyer said the Burra would continue to treat every game and win as they came.

“To be honest, we’re just enjoying the contest and throwing our bodies on the line and having fun together,” he said.

“You can see it with the side at the moment, the boys are just enjoying all the little moments and supporting each other through the little lows throughout games whenever they happen.

“It’s a really well-connected group.

“We’ll reload and reset for Melton and do what we have to do to be prepared.”