VFL reigning premier North Ballarat floundered in its opening round return on Saturday.
The highly anticipated grand final re-match on enemy territory against Port Melbourne turned ugly for the Selkirk Roosters, who were simply outclassed by 78 points.
Nothing went right for the Roosters. They had equal share of the ball, especially in a competitive second half, but were crippled by unforced errors in the basics - kick-ins to unmanned opponents, hitting the post in front of goal, misfired handballs and hesitant tackles.
North Ballarat coach Gerard FitzGerald said motivation against the Borough was not a problem but that his team lacked a united sense of purpose on field.
"I don't think we're anywhere near where we need to be to start the season," FitzGerald said.
"We were focused pretty well but Port Melbourne played a high quality game.
"That's the level we need to get to quick smart."
The Borough still has some fine-tuning of its own, particularly in front of goal, in its 20.13 (133) scoreline to the Roosters' 7.13 (55).
Both forward lines were shaky in the opening quarter but the Borough's defensive work down back and through the mid-field kept pressure on the Roosters.
At the break, Port Melbourne coach Gary Ayres urged more of the same from his troops to force the Roosters into their own undoing.
FitzGerald discounted early jitters in his side for the VFL's marquee opening round match.
He instead suggested a drop in form through pre-season competition had not helped the slow start.
"To play Port Melbourne again first up - that part was a pleasure," FitzGerald said.
"To be playing te feature game, broadcast across on ABC television and watched on sets across Australia, is an honour well and truly.
"I think that even in the third quarter when we had more of the ball, that we were just unable to kick enough goals from the amount of the ball that we won and allowed too many goals to be kicked against us."
Roosters' on-ballers Steve Clifton and Brett Goodes were persistent while small forward Billy Driscoll was solid, booting three goals.
Patchy good play from their team-mates made the work tougher.
Port tall towers Adrian Bonaddio and Adrian De Luca caused major headaches for the Roosters' defence, with Bonaddio booting five goals and De Luca chipping in four.
But it was Port's confident and clean supply of the ball that caused the most damage to the Roosters.
Six unanswered Port goals all but buried the Roosters in the final term.
A Port goal after the siren delivered the final blow to the Roosters, who have two weeks to regroup and relaunch their campaign in a round three clash against the traditionally tough Sandringham.
Visit the Official Website of the North Ballarat Football Club at: http://www.theroosters.com.au
