VFL: North Ballarat Roosters break into the top three

NORTH Ballarat Roosters have broken into the Victorian Football League top three.The move, up from fifth, comes after a 66-point win against finals hopeful Sandringham on Saturday.Ranking was confirmed yesterday afternoon, when second-placed Williamstown knocked off Northern Bullants by 29 points at Preston.Top-three status strengthens the Roosters’ bid for a fourth-consecutive premiership flag.North Ballarat coach Gerard FitzGerald said the hard part now was keeping their footing and ensuring improvement.“If we don’t keep getting, better others will look at taking our spot,” FitzGerald said.“We looked at chasing down others above us on the ladder and now we’ve done that, others below us will be looking how to chase us down.“You really have to earn a spot.”The Roosters’ new ranking, helped by a Bendigo bye this round, caps off a pivotal five-week block between byes, in which the Roosters trekked to Frankston, faced top-three rivals Williamstown, Port Melbourne and Northern Bullants, then finished with danger-team Sandringham at home.They chalked up four wins from the phase, only dropping a match to unbeaten powerhouse Port Melbourne.An emerging Roosters’ line-up stamped its mark as a major contender when it beat a highly-fancied Williamstown by 13 points at Keilor early last month.The Roosters enter a bye round this week before a three-week block of matches, in which FitzGerald said it was important his team consolidate and build.They start back against finals aspirant Box Hill on July 17 followed by Coburg in Craigieburn and a rematch against Williamstown at home.FitzGerald said good player management was imperative with six matches scheduled in the next eight weeks before finals.The Roosters will adopt individual training regimes from Wednesday to allow travelling players a week off the road.Some players might return to club football, if advised by physical and conditioning staff, but most will take a much-needed break from play.FitzGerald said it was important his players be ready to go for the next short, sharp block of matches.