THIS road trip to Box Hill today has increased in value to North Ballarat Roosters.
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A win against Box Hill Hawks will not only keep the Selkirk Roosters in touch with the Victorian Football League leaders – a win offers the Roosters a chance to crack into the top eight.
The Roosters sit one win off the pace, despite have notched up two wins from seven matches this season.
Most importantly, Roosters coach Gerard FitzGerald says a win against the Hawks will build on what they started last week – the Roosters returned from a bye to beat Coburg by 27-points, helped by an eight-goal to two final quarter.
“It’s about the mindset we take into the game, the confidence and belief we have after the win,” FitzGerald said.
“Our real test is to put some value on the win.
“If you can get some wins, you can get into the eight, but that starts by stringing some wins together.
“We have to make sure we’re on our best because last time we didn’t follow up after our win against Collingwood (round three).”
Box Hill sits seventh on the VFL ladder with three wins, four losses but Collingwood’s win against powerhouse Port Melbourne last week proved the tightness of this competition.
The Roosters last night confirmed no changes to the selected team made Thursday night.
Players had light training runs yesterday, either at Eureka Stadium or the club’s Melbourne training base.
North Melbourne young gun Tom Curran will make his VFL debut in his continued come-back from a pre-season foot injury.
Curran was the Kangaroos’ second selection with pick 40 in last year’s national draft.
He has played three matches with North Ballarat in the AFL Victoria development league.
FitzGerald said the Roosters were keen to test Curran as a key position player, who might also be able to help on the ball and ease the load of young starting ruck Ben Mabon.