North Ballarat was left to rue the big cost of small mistakes after losing to Richmond by 42 points in the VFL at Mars Stadium on Sunday.
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The Roosters dared to think of upsetting the Tigers heading into the last quarter, having loomed within 15 points.
However, Richmond took stock and ran over a tiring North Ballarat with a depleted bench to add another six goals – 14.19 (103) to 8.13 (61).
Coach Marc Greig was not for the first time this season caught being encouraged and disappointed by the performance against a dominant AFL-listed line-up.
“We had an opportunity. In the end it was disappointing.”
For the best part of three quarters third-placed Richmond was given a major wake-up call.
The Roosters matched the Tigers’ run and carry, and ferocity at the ball and the man – making tackles stick and working the overlap to stretch the visitors at every opportunity.
Leading by 36 points 10 minutes into the third term, Richmond threatened to break the game wide open with it consistently able to find space and the open man inside 50m.
North Ballarat stood firm though and sparked by two Andrew Hooper goals moved back within touch.
However, the Tigers responded with the first four goals of the final stanza and it was game over.
Greig was pleased with the way the Roosters took on Richmond at its own game, but said decision-making mistakes had proved costly.
He said North Ballarat regularly looked dangerous charging out of defence but broke down pushing into defence and then struggled to block the bigger-bodied Richmond’s transition.
Hayden Walters, one who was able to match the body-on-body power of the Tigers, was a constant target in attack for the Roosters, while in defence Oliver Tate direct traffic and Luke Kiel worked overtime to match it with the Richmond midfield.
Jayden Short was lively for Richmond, with North Ballarat battling to match his elusive nature. Jack Graham was also prominent.