June 18, 2007
From Ballarat Courier
NORTH Ballarat captain Shaune Moloney was an unlikely match-winner as the injury-struck Roosters beat a stubborn Casey Scorpions by 14 points in the Victorian Football League at Ballarat's AUSTAR Arena on Saturday.
As one of the VFL's best defenders, Moloney is accustomed to "saving" games.
NORTH Ballarat captain Shaune Moloney was an unlikely match-winner as the injury-struck Roosters beat a stubborn Casey Scorpions by 14 points in the Victorian Football League at Ballarat's AUSTAR Arena on Saturday.
As one of the VFL's best defenders, Moloney is accustomed to "saving" games.
This time he provided the impetus in attack to lead the Selkirk Roosters to their fifth win in 10 rounds - 16.13 (109) to 14.11 (95).
Moloney kicked three telling goals in a gripping last quarter in which the Scorpions constantly surged.
With Tristan Cartledge sidelined with a knee injury and Callum Urch struggling to find touch in his first senior appearance in two months, Moloney went forward in the second half and, using the same desperation he shows against
the competition's best goalkickers, helped North Ballarat keep its nose in front.
Roosters coach Gerard FitzGerald dedicated most of his post-match address to Moloney's inspirational performance, which might easily be a catalyst for North Ballarat finally getting some genuine momentum.
FitzGerald said his players needed to look no further than Moloney for inspiration.
His "grunt, competitiveness and honesty" should inspire everyone.
"He sets a powerful example which says `follow me'."
Each player could learn a lot from a "great skipper".
The head coach said getting over the Casey Scorpions had been a great test of character for North Ballarat.
The Roosters had willed themselves over the line with a fighting last quarter.
"We said we can win this - and we got there."
And FitzGerald remains confident that North Ballarat will get better as the season moves towards the finals.
"Our best is damn good," he said.
This was reflected by North Ballarat's first quarter, when it ran all over the Scorpions 7.5 to 0.2
However, the Roosters' inconsistency again haunted them as they allowed Casey to reverse the roles in the second quarter with 8.1 to 2.3 to turn the match into an arm wrestle.
St Kilda's Robert Thompson (46 possessions), Raphael Clarke, Fergus Watts and Justin Sweeney (four goals) almost took the game away from the Roosters, who lost rhythm after losing Tom Roach (strained thigh) at quartertime and Cartledge at halftime.
Roach had an outstanding opening quarter, while Cartledge kicked three goals and was close to best on the ground when he landed awkwardly after taking a "screamer" late in the second quarter.
North Ballarat looked out of sorts until well into the third quarter, when Moloney, Steve Clifton, Matt Riggio, Michael Searl, Matt Sharkey and Dan Feery began to steady what had looked like a sinking ship.
