The Courier |
North Ballarat City has re-affirmed its status as a major premiership threat in the Ballarat Football League with a convincing 147 point thumping of Lake Wendouree at Wendouree Reserve on Saturday.
NORTH BALLARAT CITY 29.18 (192)
LAKE WENDOUREE 6.9 (45)
The Lakers had been struck by injury in the lead up to the match, with players such as Ben Hayes, Matthew Battistello, Michael Madden, Charles
Edmonston and Brent Olszewski all missing through injury, while also losing Matthew Tuminello and Mitch Murray to work and football commitments respectively.
Matters were made worse within the first five minutes when playing coach Gavin Webb was concussed and taken to hospital.
However, North City entered the match close to full strength, with the deadly forward combination of Shaun Lyle (seven goals) and Derick Micallef (five goals) working beautifully.
They were aided by a range of other goalkickers including Jake Hicks, Mick Williams, Jason McNamara, Ayden and Tyler George, Daniel Jones and Daniel Kilpatrick.
The Northies led convincingly at every change, helped in the first and third quarters by a strong breeze favouring the Norman street end of Wendouree reserve, and the class of their midfield led by familiar suspects Jason McNamara, Ayden George and Mitch Jenkins.
Mick Williams continued his emergence as a player to watch, with a powerful performance as a key forward, therefore allowing Tristan Cartledge to work effectively around the ground.
Undoubtedly a positive for Lake Wendouree was the experience given to some younger players which wouldn't have been possible if more senior players were available.
Players like Hugh Herben, Tanner Robertson and Eamonn McCuskey all had the opportunity to test themselves at senior level, something that stand-in coach Nick Stephens was happy about.
"To give our younger guys the opportunity to play against a great side, and to get the game time into them, was definitely a positive," he said.
"We made the guys point out a few positives in the room after the game and the performance of some of our youngsters was definitely one of them."
North City coach Rob Waters was pleased with his side's consistency over four quarters, highlighting the performance of his forward line as one of the most pleasing aspects.
