The Footscray Bulldogs have lost a tightly-fought contest to the North Ballarat Roosters by two points.
In wet and windy conditions at Ballarat’s Eureka Stadium on Sunday afternoon, the Roosters established an early buffer with a five-goal to one first quarter.
The Bulldogs never reclaimed the lead despite winning the second, third and fourth terms.
Kicking with a favourable breeze, North Ballarat’s leaders made the biggest impression in the opening term. Roosters captain Michael Searl kicked two goals while North Melbourne captain Andrew Swallow continued his comeback from an achilles injury with five first-quarter clearances.
After conceding the first three goals through errors, the Bulldogs hit back with a major to Jack Redpath halfway through the term.
The Roosters replied immediately as Liam Anthony converted a long bomb from a quick centre break, then Searl followed up courtesy of a 50m penalty just seconds before the siren.
The hosts’ 26 point quarter-time lead would ultimately prove insurmountable.
With the wind blowing their way in the second term, the Bulldogs made early inroads. A seemingly revitalised midfield evened the contests and allowed Jase Perkins, Matthew Fuller and Ayce Cordy to kick unanswered goals.
Footscray narrowed the deficit to four points but missed chances to take the lead. Withstanding the pressure, the Roosters rallied as Andrew Boseley slotted a long running shot for goal.
By half-time, the margin was 10 points in North Ballarat’s favour.
The third term saw Bulldogs draw nearer still.
Footscray’s midfielders, headed by Nick Lower and Brett Goodes, showed their mettle against determined opposition while runners Jason Tutt and Sam Darley began to find space.
Yet the Bulldogs were still plagued by poor disposal and, at times, discipline.
Kicking for goal was the most obvious deficiency in Footcray’s 1.5 third quarter.
But with the disadvantage at the stoppages and Fletcher Roberts standing tall inside defensive 50, the Roosters could manage just 1.1 for the term, giving the hosts a six-point three-quarter time lead.
The Bulldogs had the wind their way in the final stanza, and from the opening minutes it looked like the visitors might overrun the Roosters.
Footscray peppered the goals early in the term but could manage just two behinds from several opportunities before Liam Hoy ran home a clutch North Ballarat goal.
A quick reply from Daniel Giansiracusa gave the Dogs hope as rain began to fall heavily, impairing skills on both sides.
The last goal of the match was perhaps the finest. Brent Prismall kept his feet at the back of a pack 15m out from goal, picked up the loose ball, dodged an opponent and snapped truly to put Bulldogs within four points.
But it wasn’t enough for Footscray to steal victory, a further two behinds bringing the margin to two points by the final siren.
The Bulldogs next face Sandringham at Simmonds Stadium this Saturday.
North Ballarat 5.4 7.5 8.6 10.7 (67)
Footscray 1.2 5.7 6.12 8.17 (65)
Goals
North Ballarat: Searl 2, Anthony, Boseley, Hoy, Keeble, Rippon, Staley, Swallow, Wallace
Footscray: Giansiracusa 2, Cordy, Fuller, Hrovat, Perkins, Prismall, Redpath
Best
North Ballarat: Anthony, Jacobs, Keeble, Searl, Swallow
Footscray: Roberts, Goodes, Jensen, Wallis, Tutt
