NORTH Ballarat City coach Rob Waters says his side is willing to drop a handful of games during the year in pursuit of a third consecutive Ballarat Football League premiership.
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The reigning premier was humbled by Redan in its season-opener on Saturday night, beaten by 25 points in the side’s first game since the 2014 flag.
The first-up defeat follows two consecutive seasons where North City dropped just one home-and- away match in each season.
Waters conceded his side was much younger than when it was at the peak of its powers last year, but said it was necessary to ensure long-term success.
“We might drop a game here and there throughout the year, but you have to expose these kids to these situations to improve,” he said.
“There’s no point hiding them away from everything, the young guys have to learn and they got a valuable lesson on Saturday night.”
The dual-premiership coach said he did not feel his side had dropped back to the pack; rather he felt there had been enormous improvement from other sides in the league.
“I still think our team might be as good as last year, if not better,” Waters said. “I don’t think we’ve dropped back to the pack as such, I think the challengers have just got that much better.”
North City will meet last year’s grand finalist Ballarat in a rematch of the 2014 decider this week, with both sides heading into the match without a win to their name for the season.
The Swans were held goal-less after half-time in a wet-weather slog against East Point on Saturday, signalling their second defeat from as many starts to start the season.
The two will meet on Saturday at Alfredton Oval.
Meanwhile, Redan coach Eammon Gill was careful not to get overly enthused about his side’s dominant performance.
The Lions have teed up a top-of-the-ladder clash with Darley at the weekend after two wins to start the year.
They meet the Devils before coming up against fellow finals contenders Ballarat and Lake Wendouree in the following weeks.
“I’m rapt for the guys after all the work we put in,” Gill said.
“Early wins are so important, but we know it is only round two.
“We have about as tough a start as you could get for the year.”
patrick.nolan@fairfaxmedia.com.au
