NORTH Ballarat Roosters coach Gerard FitzGerald has backed VFL matches as AFL curtain-raisers.FitzGerald said players and Selkirk Roosters staff enjoyed a chance to hit the field leading into Saturday's AFL clash between Geelong and North Melbourne.The scheduling allowed the Roosters and their AFL partner North Melbourne a rare opportunity to offer each other match day support at Kardinia Park.North Melbourne coach Brad Scott, captain Brent Harvey and vice-captain Drew Petrie, a former North Ballarat Rebel, were among those lining the players race and offering vocal support when the Roosters ran out on the field after half-time.A strong contingent of Kangaroos remained in the race to watch the Roosters in action before their own pre-match preparations.FitzGerald said the fixture also gave his footballers, including Kangaroos-listed players, a great opportunity to study where they aspire to play."We do really like them (curtain-raisers). After the match our own boys could sit back and watch the players in their positions and how they went about the game. It was a great learning experience," FitzGerald said."We also have a very, very good relationship with the Kangaroos, which I feel is much more than just an alignment, and we spend a lot of time working with them."It was great to be together on match day."The Kangaroos and Roosters had adjoining rooms in the underbelly of Skilled Stadium, which created a united vibe.There was also an added buzz about preparations, which FitzGerald said was partly to do with playing on an AFL ground before a growing crowd."In many ways it gives us a bit of revision on what our own place (Eureka Stadium) could look like," FitzGerald said."For football, it's a magnificent stadium in Geelong, a real quality stadium and facilities."That's the benefit of playing state league level, that you get to play on the top grounds."This was the second time the Roosters have opened for an AFL match this season.They played against WAFL club East Perth in a Foxtel Cup opener, ahead of a Fremantle-Geelong bout at Patersons Stadium early last month.In the VFL, Geelong will host five AFL curtain-raisers at the Cattery this season.The Roosters will return to Eureka Stadium on Sunday to host Coburg Tigers.