WILLIAMSTOWN 9.17 (71)
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NORTH BALLARAT 8.10 (58)
THE way North Ballarat Roosters regrouped and fought back hard showed they have potential for the looming finals series.
They were only 13 points short of heavyweight Williamstown at Eureka Stadium on Saturday. And, with results falling their way, the Selkirk Roosters are a confirmed finals contender with one round to play in the Victorian Football League.
Post-match, Roosters coach Gerard FitzGerald told his players they could - and would - learn so much from this match. Then, like they have all season, they can improve on the details.
When Williamstown beats teams, it tends to bury them well. FitzGerald told his players to keep their heads up. They had fought well.
The standalone Seagulls blew apart the game in the third quarter, nullifying the Roosters scoreless for the term, and taking a 26-point lead into the fourth.
Lachie George, Eric Wallace and Trent Dumont goals launched a strong revival. The Roosters attacked hard and had chances but the Seagulls' defence was hungry enough to pick up the pieces.
Roosters defender Tony Lockyer was relentless in the backlines and made some handy saving grabs deep near the goals to keep the Roosters in the game early. Lockyer chalked up 25 touches, 15 marks and eight spoils.
North Melbourne-listed half-back Aaron Mullett made a game-high 34 disposals, 27 by foot, with 13 marks while Roosters midfielders Nick Peters (27 disposals) and Nick Rippon (29) were particularly dominant in the final term.
The Roosters' last round assignment is against ladder leader Port Melbourne at North Port Oval next Saturday.
DETAILS
WILLIAMSTOWN 3.5 4.9 9.13 9.17 (71)
NORTH BALLARAT 1.0 5.5 5.5 8.10 (58)
GOALS - Williamstown: Ferguson 2 Marcon Casley Owen Lambert Bewley Masters Sing.
North Ballarat: George 2 Staley 2 Mullett Curnow Wallace Wilkins.
BEST - Williamstown: Lambert Sing Tighe Mangan Marcon Jolley.
North Ballarat: Lockyer Searl Warren Anthony Mullett Dumont.