![\"\"](\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/06\/DSC_0362_03623.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
“I thought we were beaten inside.”<\/p>\n
A costly loss saw the Roosters slip to fourth on the ladder, one win behind Darley following the Devils’ come-from-behind win over Sunbury, but still two games clear of Bacchus Marsh and three of Melton and Sunbury.<\/p>\n
That gap could close if the Roosters can’t find a way to rebound against the pace-setting Burra.<\/p>\n
Proctor paid full credit to the Swans and their intensity and work-rate.<\/p>\n
“Their clearance and handball game and ability to find a mark out of that was elite,” he said.<\/p>\n
“Really difficult to manage.<\/p>\n
“We had trouble all day at the stoppages.<\/p>\n
“We tried a few things, but we need to really look at where it broke down as they were just too good in there.”<\/p>\n
Proctor said the additions of former AFL midfielder Brad Crouch and standout Central Highlands ruckman Patrick Graham had undoubtedly strengthened the Swans around the contest.<\/p>\n
“They are going to be in it for a long way, Ballarat, and looking at it for what it is, them and Sebas could potentially pull away from everyone,” she said.<\/p>\n
“But it doesn’t take much for the pressure to come on.<\/p>\n
“There’s a long way to go and a lot that can happen.”<\/p>\n
Missing key components of their midfield rotation, Proctor said crunch time was nearing for the Roosters to come up with as settled a unit as possible.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n “We are going to have to find a balance and potentially stick with it,” he said.<\/p>\n “I have been rolling a lot of different players through there, so maybe we are just going to have to settle on one or two and work on them.<\/p>\n “The good thing with these two weeks (Ballarat and Sebastopol), we are going to get a really good look at where we are at and from there see if we can make a run at it.”<\/p>\n North Ballarat will certainly have their work cut out for them.<\/p>\n In a quirk of the draw, the Roosters were beaten by 59 points by Sebastopol only a month ago in round 7.<\/p>\n They will be without defender Isaac Lovison (hamstring) and Harvey Lewis (concussion), both casualties from Saturday.<\/p>\n Dom Penny, who has fast become the Roosters’ most dependable and important player, again led the way against the Swans.<\/p>\n Fellow youngsters Taj Bowman and Oscar Stone could also hold their heads high, while Seb Collins again battled hard.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" A PROMPT bounce back is front of mind for North Ballarat coach Clint Proctor as his side prepares for top-of-the-ladder Sebastopol this Saturday following a disappointing loss to Ballarat. The Roosters were simply outmuscled and out-pressured in a 59-point loss at Alfredton Recreation Reserve as the Swans clinically asserted their dominance. While the margin was […]<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/06\/DSC_0072_12773.jpg\")