THE memory of a 99 point thrashing at the hands of North Ballarat will be fresh in the minds of Bendigo Gold players ahead of Saturday’s clash at Eureka Stadium.
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The Roosters humiliated the Gold in round eight at Swan Hill in a performance that still haunts Gold coach Aussie Jones.
“We went into that game at Swan Hill giving ourselves a real chance and North Ballarat blew us off the park,” Jones said.
“We played North Ballarat into form that day and they have been very good since.
“We are obviously in better form now comapred to back then and we will attack this game with the same spirit we have showed in the past few weeks.”
The Gold played their best game of the season last week, but fell two points short against the Casey Scorpions at Queen Elizabeth Oval.
North Ballarat on its home soil will be a tougher examination.
“It’s probably going to be very cold, wet and windy,” Jones said.
“ We have nothing to lose and the boys are very keen to have a crack at the Roosters.”
The loss of key forward Jack Sheahan through injury means the Gold will go into the match with a very small forward line.
“We are going to have to manufacture some goals with our smalls,” Jones said.
“Steve Stroobants, Sam Heavyside, Alik Magin and Riley McIvor will spend time inside 50 and Alex Pollock was our most dangerous forward last week.
“It will be an unconventional forward line, but that might work in our favour in the conditions.”
North Ballarat must win the match to stay inside the top eight.
The Roosters squad includes Starthfieldsaye-listed forward Bryce Curnow.
The former Golden Square junior is enjoying a career best VFL season, including a four goal haul last round.
Saturday’s clash between North Ballarat and Bendigo Gold will be telecast live on ABC television from 1pm.