The VFL Cats are still searching for their first win of the season after the reigning ‘three-peat’ premiers North Ballarat showed that they are still a force to be reckoned with. Kangaroos power forward Aaron Edwards was the star of the show with 10 goals as the Kangaroo aligned Roosters ran out 45 point winners, 17-12-(114) to 10-9-(69) in the curtain raiser match at Skilled Stadium on Saturday morning.

With both Trent West and Dawson Simpson on the sidelines, AFL premiership ruckman Mark Blake (21 disposals, 7 marks, 33 hit outs) seemed to flourish with more time in the middle and was one of the best for the Cats, while hard nosed midfielder Jesse Stringer (11 disposals, 10 tackles) showed that he is just starting to hit his straps after a year on the sidelines, with his best performance of the season. VFL co-captain Matthew Firman (33 disposals, 5 clearances, 4 tackles) was a stand out with a rock solid display in defence, while fellow VFL listed players Mark Corrigan (25 disposals, 8 clearances, 4 tackles), defender Andrew McLean (17 disposals, 13 marks, 10 spoils) and Ben Raidme (17 disposals, 3 tackles) were more than serviceable.

The VFL Cats lost AFL emergency Allen Christensen before the first bounce but welcomed back a number of players from injury, including former Fremantle defender Marcus Drum and rookie listed forward Ben Johnson for their first home and away matches of the year. Unfortunately it was not to be a happy homecoming for the pair.

For much of the match the Cats were left with just one fit player on the bench. Drum was ruled out in the first five minutes with hamstring tightness, effectively leaving the Cats one man down from the start. Co-captain Troy Selwood had 15 disposals in the first 35 minutes of the match, but was gone with a tear in his pectoral muscle 5 minutes into the second quarter. Corkies, cuts and cramp then went through the rest of the group like wildfire, having a severe impact on the rotational flexibility of the Cats.

Despite the earlier injury blows, the Cats seemed to be up for the contest and had the majority of the possession in the first quarter. Unfortunately the Cats were unable to capitalise and convert on the scoreboard. Late North Ballarat goals to Edwards and Ryan McKenzie saw the Roosters go to the quarter time break with a 5 point lead.

Brutal tackling pressure and contested football was the continuing theme throughout the second quarter. North Ballarat’s dynamic duo of Cruize Garlett and Matt Campbell began to cause Geelong some real headaches with their run and carry providing easy forward entries for Edwards to take advantage of. Edwards kicked 3 second quarter goals and helped to extend the lead to 27 points at half time.

With in form key forwards Mitch Brown and Nathan Vardy hardly sighted in the opening half it was time for the Cats to go more long and direct in an effort to bring the talented talls into the match. This simple message seemed to work when within three minutes of the restart of play Brown had slotted through his first of the afternoon. Down the other end though, the formidable figure of Liston Trophy and Frosty Miller Medallist Aaron Edwards was continuing to cause headaches for the young Cats.

The Cats seemed to become frustrated late in the match, lose focus and give away silly free kicks highlighted by both Ben Johnson and Tom Gillies giving away 50 metre penalties.

Much to the disappoint of the Cats fans who come early to catch a glimpse of the future, the VFL Cats trailed by 33 points at three quarter time and played out a lack lustre final quarter. The final margin of 45 points was Cats worst of the year and it was indeed a true reflection of the overall performance.

Up forward the Cats never look dangerous. The two pronged forward attack of Mitchell Brown and Nathan Vardy that had become one of the most lethal in the VFL competition in recent weeks, failed to fire at home with pair combining for just 10 marks and 4 goals.

After a 0-5 start to the season the Cats are now deeply entrenched at the foot of the VFL table with only the Coburg Tigers and Frankston Dolphins providing any close company. The start to the season has been a disappointing one with inexperience and injury being the underlying themes. On Saturday the only players that ran out for the Cats with AFL experience were Mark Blake (99 games), Troy Selwood (75), Jaxson Barhan (7), Tom Gillies (6), Cameron Guthrie (2) and Steven Motlop (1), while 6 others in the side have played less than 5 VFL senior games under their belt.

The AFL Cats are AFL are preparing to take down arch rival Collingwood next week and their VFL counterparts are out to do the same with the two ‘AFL stand alone’ VFL sides going head to head at Victoria Park next Saturday afternoon. Match kicks off at 1pm.

North Ballarat Roosters 17-12-(114)
Geelong Cats 10-9-(69)
Goals: Brown, Vardy 2 Motlop, Schroder, B.Johnson, Cowan, Firman, Corrigan 1
Best: Firman, Stringer, McLean, Corrigan, Raidme, Blake
Injuries: Drum (quad), Selwood (shoulder/pec)