North Ballarat Roosters claimed its first win of the 2017 Victorian Football League with a 26-point triumph over Northern Blues.
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The 11.9 (75) – 6.13 (49) result snapped a 12-game losing streak for the Roosters and the elation was written all over the players’ faces at the final siren before they sung the song with gusto.
The Blues, who entered the round in the top eight, had lost their last five matches and the Roosters made sure a return to the winners list would not be easy.
The Roosters brought a ferocious intent to hunt the ball and tackle hard and it delivered the desired start – a 26-point quarter-time lead.
North Ballarat held a similar lead for much of the match as the Blues threatened but never made genuine inroads as the Roosters broke the margin beyond six goals during the last quarter.
The home ground advantage proved exactly that, as the Roosters handled the breezy conditions far better.
Coach Marc Greig was rapt to see his group get reward for effort in what has been a trying season, but he stressed it was not a feeling of relief, rather one of excitement.
“There’s no relief, it’s just more pleasing for the boys,” Greig said.
“We’re here to do our job and that’s development the boys and try and win, we’ve played some good footy this year – it’s just the consistency.”
Greig was pleased with the side’s ability to stick to the game plan and when the Blues did ask questions of the inexperienced Roosters they were able to respond.
“We spoke before the game about the conditions coming into play and a few tactics we wanted to have and they carried them out to a tee.
“In other games we might go away from it for 10 minutes...when you stick to a plan you go reasonably well, if you want to deviate and do your own thing - that’s what’s happened in previous games.
“Talent doesn’t get you a win, working hard gets you a win and we discussed that.”
We’re here to do our job and that’s development the boys and try and win, we’ve played some good footy this year – it’s just the consistency.
- Coach Marc Greig