The Courier |
NORTH Ballarat City has made a dream start to its 2013 campaign, courtesy of a 109-point dismantling of East Point under lights at Eureka Stadium on Saturday night.
Led by spearhead Derick Micallef, North increased its lead at every change, to ensure that the Kangaroos' night was just as miserable as the temperature.
Micallef was simply unstoppable in a best-on-ground display with 10 goals, the Roos seemingly bereft of ways to curtail his influence.
Strong performances from Ryan Luke in defence and Tristan Cartledge also shone on the night.
Coach Robbie Waters said he was thrilled with his side's performance.
"They beat us last year and finished third, and we want to get to the level of those sides so it's a good start, I'm really happy with the win," he said. "It was just an even contribution all over the ground, all the forwards kicked goals and we ran and carried out of defence really well, it was just a great effort."
Waters spoke glowingly of his forwards, all of whom kicked goals.
"We really set up well as a collective, and our forward line pressure was great," he said.
It was a free flowing end-to-end contest early, with both sides transferring the ball up and down the corridor at impressive speed.
After the initial frantic pace slowed it was North City that settled the quicker of the two sides, kicking the first two goals of the contest to grab the fast start.
The sheer volume of pressure being applied to their opponents was evident in Peach's North City's game; North allowed the Roos no time and space to use the ball effectively.
East Point coach Dan Jordan would have asked his side for a more competitive effort in the second half.
But Waters and North had a different agenda, and there would be no relenting from the home side as it continued on its merry way in the third and fourth terms, storming to a telling victory.