Cobras miss winning opportunity

NORTH Ballarat banked an all-important four points on the road, denying Bacchus Marsh the scalp they needed to remain in the top six.

Despite leading at every change, Brendan McCartney’s men were made to work hard for their reward, as very little separated the two sides at the breaks: 6,1,12 and 19 points respectively.

The Cobras made a couple of runs at the visitors, who led comfortably before Dennis Armfield’s group swung into action.

The hosts enjoyed some time in front in the third term, but were unable to sustain the levels of consistency and efficiency required to overcome a team like North Ballarat, who pride themselves on the contest.

Three late goals to North Ballarat in the third quarter restored the visitors the lead and with it, a healthy momentum push into the final stanza. Game over.

The Roosters essentially shut up shop, denying the Cobras another sniff holding them goalless, an anti-climax of sorts to a game that was entertaining for three quarters.

The Loader brothers, Harry (one goal) and Fletcher, were named best on ground for the winners, ahead of Will Quinlan (four goals), Malachi White, and Ned Nash, who did the job again for the Roosters in the absence of Jamie Quick, finishing with four goals.

Nash has been a real find forward for the Roosters this year, in a real masterstroke by McCartney and his staff. The former defender now has 17 goals (comp rank #7) to his name.

For the Cobras, there were varying opinions on the make-up of their major contributors. The coaching group however settled with Jake McReery (two goals), Ashton Craig, Ethan McKercher, Jacob Pawlowicz, Luke Goetz and Simon Lafranchi. Jake Owen was their leading goal scorer finishing with three.

HOW THE COACHES RATED THEIR PERFORMANCE

Armfield (B/Marsh): “We had our chances…North were able to wrestle back momentum and out worked us. We let in three, third quarter, red time goals which hindered our momentum. Credit to North who were able to squeeze us and force us long and create a contest. Good battle all day which North won at the end of the day.”

McCartney (North Ballarat): “Really proud of our players today against a club having a crack and developing quickly. Good day for what we are about as a club. Under pressure we were organised and super competitive. Another good step forward in our development.”

DEFENCE – Armfield (B/Marsh): “Battled hard all day. Will continue to work on killing the contest and not allowing soft drops but worked to provide drive.”

MIDS – Armfield (B/Marsh): “We knew that is a strength of North Ballarat and I thought we broke even for most of the day. We lost shape late trying to win the game which they took advantage of.”

FORWARDS – Armfield (B/Marsh): “Made the most of our inside 50s. Got caught a little deep at times but when we isolated each other, we looked dangerous.”

Final scores

B/Marsh 3.0-18, 6.1-37, 9.3-57, 9.6-60 lost to N/Ballarat 3.6-24, 5.8-38, 10.9-69, 11.13-79.

B/Marsh (Best): J.McReery, A.Craig, E.McKercher, J.Pawlowicz, L.Goetz, S.LaFranchi.

B/Marsh (Goals): J.Owen 3, J.McReery 2, D.Armfield, L.Goetz, K.Hilton, J.Pawlowicz.

N/Ballarat (Best): H.Loader, F.Loader, W.Quinlan, R.Polkinghorne, N.Nash, M.White.

N/Ballarat (Goals): N.Nash 4, W.Quinlan 4, O.Huff, H.Loader, R.Palmer.