In what has been a tough season for the Roosters, the feeling post-match in the rooms on Saturday was as dark as any this season following a shattering loss to Coburg.
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North Ballarat has won just one match this season, as was the case for the Lions pre-match. 24 minutes into the final quarter, the Roosters led by nine points, seven minutes later, it had snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.
Coburg kicked three late goals, including one on the siren, to post a 16.9 (105) to 14.9 (93) Victorian Football League victory.
Despite the chaotic final minutes, the Roosters made an impressive fight back after conceding nine goals in the opening term as Coburg took full advantage of the breeze.
Given the the character shown to work its way back into the game on enemy soil, it would have been a memorable victory in an otherwise forgettable season for the young Roosters – but it was not to be.
Coach Marc Greig said it was a somber mood in the rooms.
“They know they should’ve won that game of footy,” Greig said.
“To be up by nine with 25 gone in the last quarter...we’ve worked our way back to be in a winning position, that’s why the boys are pretty shattered.
“They (Coburg) couldn’t of had a better first quarter in regards to efficiency (nine goals from 12 inside 50s).’
“From quarter-time, we could’ve thrown in the towel, but the boys have stuck at it all year.”
The Roosters lost co-captain Tony Lockyer late in the match with concussion which not only took away run off half-back, but also a “wise head” from a side that lacks leadership.
Greig said as tough as it was to let the game slip out of its grasp, the group would go to school on the final 10 minutes and continue to educate its youth on executing its structures late in close matches.
“We’ll go through that Monday, it’s learning for the boys.
“What can we learn from it? We should’ve won the game, but what are we going to do about it? Just little things, it’s concentration and it’s inexperience, you’ve got to be in those positions to learn from them.”
Greig praised his leaders who led the charge after quarter-time. Andrew Hooper kicked five goals, Luke Kiel racked up 29 possessions, the bulk of which were contested. James Keeble covered the ground well, taking 10 marks while Lachy George provided the spark in the final term.