By Michael Esposito
The Roosters look vastly different to last year’s premiership side, but history suggests this weekend’s match will be another mighty battle.
Last time the two teams played, in round nine last year, North Ballarat toppled Williamstown by four points after being behind for most of the match.
The Roosters went on to win the flag while the Seagulls were knocked out in the preliminary final.
“It’s been incredible how many games we’ve played that have been close,” North Ballarat coach Gerard Fitzgerald said.
With Burbank Oval being redeveloped this year, Keilor Football Ground is one of several ovals playing host to the Seagulls this year.
Williamstown CEO Brendan Curry is hoping the game gets a similar response as the Williamstown v Geelong game in Torquay in round four, which drew a bumper crowd of more than 4000 people, particularly with no suburban footy being played this long weekend.
“The most regular feedback I receive when people witness a VFL game for the first time is that they cannot believe the standard,” Curry said. “Hopefully plenty of WRFL supporters can come along and support the Seagulls.”
Williamstown coach Peter German said while North Ballarat’s 5-3 win-loss record implied a less threatening team than last year, Williamstown will need to have all guns blazing this Saturday.
“When you play North Ballarat you’ve got to bring your whole game, you’ve got to be good offensively and you’ve got to be good defensively, because they’ve been the best defensive side over the last three or four years, so that means you’ve got to work hard, and you’ve got to use the ball well to try and crack their defence,” he said.
German said one of North Ballarat’s greatest strengths in recent times has been its ability to lift during big games and find a way to win even when playing below par.
