NORTH Ballarat launched an extraordinary comeback by converting a nine-goal deficit at three-quarter-time into a stirring draw against Sunbury at Mars Stadium last Saturday.<\/p>\n
The Roosters \u2013 still minus star goal shooter Maddy Selmon with an ankle injury \u2013 preserved their unbeaten record, albeit only just, with a 45-45 tie.<\/p>\n
While they never at any stage led during the final term, the Roosters almost pulled off an unlikely victory heading into attack in the final seconds of play.<\/p>\n
Disappointed to have found themselves down at three-quarter-time, Roosters coach Maddie Fitzpatrick praised her side’s gallant fightback and 15-6 final term.<\/p>\n
“We probably shouldn’t have been in a position where we were nine down at three-quarter-time \u2013 the scoreline got away from us in the third,” she said.<\/p>\n
“But I was very pleased to see us come back and know that we can be right there with them (Sunbury).<\/p>\n
“We had the ball in our hands with about five seconds to go, so if we had got the ball into Maggie Smith, we potentially could have drawn a contact and had a shot on the siren.<\/p>\n
“We’ll go back and work through some of those moments at training, so that we can capitalise on them in the back end of the season and in finals, hopefully.<\/p>\n
“It’s all good learning. I thought our defenders really stepped up in the end, turning a lot of ball over in the last quarter.<\/p>\n
“I did say to the girls, you can play in draws and lots of draws feel like a loss, or just a stalemate, but this one certainly felt like a win for us.<\/p>\n
“We were pleased to come away with the two points.”<\/p>\n
At 3-0-1 and in third spot after four rounds, level on points with second-placed Lake Wendouree and fourth-placed Sebastopol, Fitzpatrick is excited with where the season is headed and what her side is capable of \u2013 especially with dual league medallist Selmon likely two weeks away from a return.<\/p>\n
The Roosters have been bolstered by the addition of former SSN training partner Kelsie Rainbow in the midcourt and experienced former VNL defender Amy Wirth, whose smarts were vital late in the game.<\/p>\n
A third recruit, Lilly Francis, has enjoyed a standout early part of the season in the midcourt since crossing from Redan.<\/p>\n
In Selmon’s absence, Maggie Smith has continued to switch between goal keeper and goal shooter with profound effect, adding to the Roosters’ depth and versatility across the court.<\/p>\n
Sunbury premiership coach Kim Bailey could find no excuses for the last quarter fade-out saying her side had simply ‘let it go’.<\/p>\n
“We just need to get some stability into our line-up, which we haven’t had all season, which happens when you have players playing at higher levels,” she said in reference to the absence of players due to national championships and SSN Reserves commitments.<\/p>\n
“We’re not panicking about it \u2026 others might be.<\/p>\n
“North Ballarat is a quality team. We did some silly things late, but we had our opportunities.<\/p>\n
“But no matter what, you shouldn’t give up a nine-goal lead.”<\/p>\n
The Lions will regain goal keeper Elly Randall (absent due to a wedding) for this weekend’s clash against Sebastopol, and were also missing Abigail Inglis and Ruby Shannon (SSN Reserves) against the Roosters.<\/p>\n
Caitlin Hill was a welcome returnee at goal attack.<\/p>\n
Bailey anticipated she would not have a full and settled side at her disposal until about June.<\/p>\n
“Getting that consistency into the line-up has been a struggle, but that’s no different to any other year for us,” she said.<\/p>\n
“We’ll get Ruby in June and that’ll be when we settle.<\/p>\n
“But there’s plenty of hard work to be done. It’s not going to be easy for anyone with some good young sides coming through.<\/p>\n
“It’s going to be a challenge.”<\/p>\n
Among the positives from Saturday, young shooter Charlize Bellette spent time in defence, while her partner in the ring Amalani Fauonuku was a threat with accuracy, scoring 27 goals at 90 per cent.<\/p>\n
A 2-1-1 start to the season has the Lions in unfamiliar territory in sixth position, but with tremendous upside and having already played two of their major rivals, North Ballarat and Darley.<\/p>\n
Elsewhere, Ballarat broke through for its first win since round 10 of the 2024 season, defeating Redan 44-36.<\/p>\n
The Swans showed they were closing in on a breakthrough victory by drawing with Lake Wendouree the previous week and were able to capitalise on the momentum with a confidence-boosting win.<\/p>\n
Recruit Dakota Blade starred with 33 goals.<\/p>\n
The Lakers rebounded strongly to inflict Sebastopol’s first defeat of the season with a 52-38 win at C.E. Brown Reserve.<\/p>\n
Reigning premier Darley continued its unbeaten start to the season with an 81-34 triumph over Melton.<\/p>\n
Bacchus Marsh and East Point had byes, having played their round 4 encounter as a standalone game on Good Friday to open the season.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
NORTH Ballarat launched an extraordinary comeback by converting a nine-goal deficit at three-quarter-time into a stirring draw against Sunbury at Mars Stadium last Saturday. The Roosters \u2013 still minus star goal shooter Maddy Selmon with an ankle injury \u2013 preserved their unbeaten record, albeit only just, with a 45-45 tie. While they never at any […]<\/p>\n