Roosters blow chance to move into top eight - VFL Round 16.

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North Ballarat missed a golden opportunity to grab a spot in the top eight in round sixteen of the Peter Jackson VFL season when they went down to a tenacious Coburg Tigers at the Mantello Holden Oval. The Tigers kicked six unanswered goals in the final term to overrun the Roosters winning 15.11.101 to 13.7.85. The loss sees them now in a three-way battle with the Northern Blues and Essendon with Frankston one game further back and just three matches remaining.

Coburg string-bean forward, Liam McBean, was the star of the day bagging six goals in a match-winning display. It was a game the Roosters were expected to win, given their recent form and push for finals action. However The Tigers, ahead of only the winless Bendigo Gold on the ladder, were relentless in their attack on the ball and despite the rain in the last quarter they managed to overcome a three-quarter-time deficit and record a stirring win.

 

The first quarter was a dour struggle as both sides fumbled their way through the mud and slippery conditions. Coburg took a seven-point lead to the huddle thanks to goals from Liam Brandt and McBean.

In the second quarter North Ballarat got on top with midfielders Myles Sewell and Steve Clifton finding plenty of the ball. Forward Cameron Richardson (2 goals) and skipper Michael Searl were providing targets and Liam Hoy and Oliver Tate were solid down back.

Three goals to McBean in the quarter kept the Tigers in touch of the Roosters who led by seven points at the main break. As conditions deteriorated in the third quarter the game remained tight, although the Roosters did threaten to get a match-winning break on their opponents thanks to Nick Rippon kicking truly followed by Richardson who added another. Late goals to Aaron Edwards, who had been well held by Luke Kiel, Ben Clifton from the boundary in front of delighted fans and McBean from outside fifty on the siren reduced the Roosters lead to just five points at the final change.

Searl goaled early for the visitors to put them thirteen points ahead and it looked like they were sniffing victory. Coburg had other ideas as Nick Maric snapped truly then Edwards goaled from close range to put the Tigers in front. They piled on another four goals to open a break on the Roosters. Late goals to Bryce Curnow and Searl again gave some hope to the Roosters but the damage was done. The Tigers revelled in the rain with Robin Nahas (29), Sam Lonergan, Daniel Venditti and Ozgur Uysal providing plenty of run when it was needed. McBean (15) and six goals was the difference up forward whilst Tom Derickx won the battle of the big men in the ruck.

For North Ballarat, usual suspects Sewell (34) and Clifton (27) rarely play a bad game and Nick Rippon (23) is emerging as AFL scouts hover. Defenders Hoy and Tate never gave in while Searl (14) with three goals and Lachie George were also in their best.

Coburg can string wins together against Bendigo Gold in the next round while North Ballarat face a must win game at home against Collingwood.