Coach Marc Greig said the side, which has five changes to it from last week, was preparing for what it felt was a winnable game, but by no means would it take anything for granted.

Greig stressed that the moment it started to think Saturday’s game would provide it with a long-awaited victory, would be the moment it gets ahead of itself. 

“We need to make sure we’re doing what we need to do. The Northern Blues won’t rock up and just have a bad game and give us a win,” Greig said.

“We just have to worry about ourselves more than we ever have, knowing that if we do that there’s a fair chance things will go our way on the scoreboard.

“If we just think that they’ve had a bad month and it could be our first win then it won’t happen.”

The Blues sit eighth on the ladder with a six and six record, but have not tasted victory since round 8 against the struggling Coburg.

A key area for the Roosters will be their first quarters  The opening stanza is always a focus for any group, but North Ballarat has struggled to start well this season while the Blues have kicked just one goal in each of its last three first terms, producing a -53 points differential.

“We’ll do everything in our power to give ourselves the opportunity in the first quarter…hopefully we can come in with a decent lead to put some pressure back on them.

“We think we’ve got a real opportunity to start well.”