A ZERO goal, 10 point opening quarter for the North Ballarat Roosters would prove to be fatal for the home side as they went down to the Coburg Lions on Saturday afternoon.
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Kicking with the wind in the blustery conditions at Eureka Stadium, the hosts dominated possession and generated 30 inside 50’s to the Lions’ four, with North Ballarat lining up seven set shots. However Coburg punished the Roosters inability to find the big sticks, with the visitors capitalising on two fast breaks to head into the first change with a two point advantage.
All the stats were in our favour but it was one of those days where it didn't mean too much.
- Marc Greig - North Ballarat Roosters coach
The Lions proceeded to dominate the opening minutes of the second term, slotting three goals in the opening 13 minutes to heap to pressure on the Roosters.
A goal from Rowan Marshall kicked from outside 50 would put the Roosters’ first major on the board for the afternoon, which was soon followed by another long goal courtesy of big man Matt Eagles.
North managed to control the tempo of play in the remaining minutes of the second quarter, with the likes of Ollie Tate, Nick Rippon and Andrew Hooper looking proficient as the Roosters moved the ball through the corridor.
The Lions were again able to get the jump against the wind, with former St Kilda forward Ahmed Saad proving a handful on his way to racking up six goals for the afternoon.
Again it was Marshall to the rescue for the Roosters, who found his second goal in a best on ground performance to keep the home side within reach. The major put North on the front foot for the remainder of the term, with Hooper snapping a goal in the 23rd minute to put the Roosters in front.
However with Coburg kicking with the breeze in the final quarter the task would prove to be too great for the Ballarat outfit. While the lead see-sawed in the opening moments, the Lions rammed home five goals to register an emphatic win.
The result leaves the Roosters at one win and seven losses for the season, with the round one win over the Lions North’s only success.
Roosters coach Marc Greig said while his charges had been dominant throughout patches of the fixture, their inability to convert in front of goal had cost them dearly.
“All the stats were in our favour but it was one of those days where it didn't mean too much.”