From Ballarat Courier
Reported by DAVID BREHAUT
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NORTH Ballarat took full toll of a struggling Frankston yesterday to claim top position on the Victorian Football League ladder.
The reigning premier has become accustomed to leading the pack over the past few years, but this is the first time the Selkirk Roosters have been number one this season.
North Ballarat kept the Dolphins scoreless in the last quarter to kick away by 83 points _ 20.10 (130) to 7.5 (47).
Coach Gerard FitzGerald said one of the most satisfying aspects of the win was the way the Roosters had taken the influence of the strong Frankston support base out of the match.
He said Frankston was always at its most dangerous at home.
"I set them (the players) the mission of taking the `home' factor away from them.''
Although in front, FitzGerald said it was disappointing that North Ballarat had left the door ajar for Frankston at half-time.
A late goal by the Dolphins reduced the margin to 22 points.
Then there was what FitzGerald described as times of disorganisation in the third quarter.
He did not need to worry, though.
North Ballarat's class shone through with a 7.1 last term.
"I didn't see it coming," FitzGerald admitted.
He said he was sure this late domination had come about through the players learning from their loss to Casey Scorpions two weeks earlier, in round three.
The Scorpions came from behind to swamp the Roosters with five majors in the last 30 minutes.
North Ballarat's overall domination was reflected in 180 tackles - a record in FitzGerald's reign - and 170 one percenters.
Steve Clifton was outstanding, with his hard work on and off the ball rewarded with more than 30 touches.
North Melbourne-listed players again had a big say in attack, with Corey Jones and Leigh Harding each kicking four goals.
Stevie Dinnell also did his job with three, while North Ballarat Rebels youngster Lucas Cook was most impressive as he capped off his forward work with three goals.
