24 disposals, 8 tackles and 2 goals from Liam Anthony wasn't enough to stop North Ballarat from falling to a 19-point loss to Williamstown at Eureka Stadium.

In blustery, swirly conditions, Anthony's attack stood out.

"LA (Anthony) had a big influence around the ball, especially early," North development coach Josh Drummond told NMFC.com.au.

"He didn't get the numbers as high as he normally does but that's not necessarily what we judge him on.

"It's about an evenness in his game. His ability to tackle, win his own ball, put his head over it and get handball receives shows it was a good even performance from LA."

Taylor Garner (21 disposals, 12 one percenters) returned to the Roosters side after making his AFL debut and impressed, playing more through the middle of the ground than in previous weeks.

"It was good to get him in and around the play. He tackled well, spoiled well and he was very clean at ground level as well.

"He's very good when the ball's around his area so it was a good learning curve for him."

Ben Mabon (11 disposals, 32 hit-outs) had one of the biggest challenges of the day, coming up against former Collingwood ruckman Cameron Wood.

"Mabes competed alright and I didn't think his opponent had an influence, but he got his hands on the footy in the last quarter and started knocking it forward," Drummond added.

"It was a pretty even battle for most of the day until Wood got on top late."

After a strong month of football, Mitch Wilkins (7 possessions) was unable to work his way into the game playing from the back half.

Cam Richardson was impressive in patches of the game, but quiet in others on the way to 13 possessions and a goal.

North Ballarat 2.3.15, 5.4.34, 8.5.53, 8.5.53
Williamstown 2.2.14, 4.6.30, 6.8.44, 10.12.72

Goals
North Ballarat: Anthony 2, Clifton 1, Driscoll 1, Graham 1, Richardson 1, Sewell 1, Searl 1
Williamstown: Anastasio 3, Jones 3, Howard 1, Hrovat 1, Lockwood 1, McNamara 1

Best
North Ballarat:
Hoy, Tate, Anthony, Sewell, Schache, Garner
Williamstown:
Markovic, Wood, Anastasio, MacRae, Lockwood, Jones

In the development league, Eric Wallace had one of his quieter games in the rain and wind.

"Again this week he spent the first half as a key forward before moving into the ruck for the second half," Drummond said.

"Williamstown has one of the better development league teams going around so it was another step forward in his education on one of the tougher days he's had.

"When he was in the ruck he came up against an athletic opponent and he wasn't able to have his normal dominance in there either."