Roosters coach Gavin Crosisca does not like talking about "crunch" games, but he acknowledges this is exactly what this match is.With a bye next week, North Ballarat has to win each of its remaining three games against Coburg, Williamstown and Scorpions to have any hope of slipping into the top eight.

The 10th-placed Roosters are percentage out of the top eight and one of six teams scrambling for sixth, seventh and eight.

North Ballarat reached the point of no return against Box Hill on Sunday and passed the test. As tight as it was, the job was done.

Crosisca said there was a good feeling on the back of the fighting win over the Hawks.

"We had plenty of reasons to be positive going into that game and it's the same again," he said.

Crosisca said North Ballarat's biggest problem this year had been that most players had failed to perform up to their potential.

The Roosters will only keep winning in these closing weeks of the home and away season if they can lift and play to their ability.

Crosisca believes Coburg is showing signs of tiring after a long and arduous campaign.

"They're young and enthusiastic, but they're starting to be beaten by some big margins, which indicates they're getting tired," he said.

Coburg has a strong blend of Richmond players - including Kelvin Moore, Brent Hartigan and Nathan Foley who missed the cut last night - but not an abundance of AFL experience.

Crosisca has stuck by a core of players right through the year, despite not having the best of times, so it is not surprising to see him pinning his hopes for a strong finish on the same group.

And this means big efforts from the big names - Mark Porter, Jim Plunkett, Anthony Franchina, Craig Biddiscombe, Djaran Whyman and Nathan Saunders.

THIS WEEKEND'S VFL MATCHES: today, Geelong v Northern Bullants, Coburg v North Ballarat, Tasmania v Box Hill, Port Melbourne v Williamstown; tomorrow, Werribee v Frankston, Sandringham v Bendigo, Scorpions bye.