VFL Grand Final Highlights

NORTH Ballarat is the VFL premier for the first time in the club's history after defeating minor premier Port Melbourne by 45 points at Telstra Dome on Friday night.

Since entering the competition in 1996 the Roosters have played off in two grand finals without success, but put in a superb defensive effort in the 2008 decider to record an 18.12 (120) to 11.9 (75) win and taste premiership glory.

Coach Gerard Fitzgerald's side led by just four points after a tight first half, but toiled hard to extend that margin to 18 points at three-quarter time before running away with it in the final term.

North Melbourne has a partial alignment with the Roosters, who fielded seven Kangaroos players on the night. Tall forward Josh Smith was dangerous in attack all night, booting five goals to take out the Norm Goss Medal for best on ground.

Andrew Swallow was also prominent on the ball with his pace through the middle a factor throughout the match. Eddie Sansbury also made an important contribution when the game was in the balance early.

Ruckman Orren Stephenson was outstanding in the ruck contests, where he monstered former AFL duo Dylan McLaren and David Fanning, and also dropping back in defence where he took several relieving marks. Marc Greig, Stephen Clifton and Tom Roach were also important.

Former Adelaide Crow Matthew Smith was solid in defence for Port, which was also well-served by John Baird, Sam Dwyer and Toby Pinwill.

The Borough conceded the first goal of the match to Bill Driscoll, but Adrian Bonnadio was important in forcing a turnover that led to a Chris Cain major and followed it up with one of his own to see Port up by 14 points.

But the Roosters did well to soak up the pressure and hit back late to lead by six points at the first break thanks to goals from North Melbourne-listed trio Blake Grima, Cruize Garlett and Smith.

Cain continued to exert his influence with another two goals in the second as Port Melbourne briefly regained the lead, but Roo rookie Michael Wundke and Swallow goaled to restore North's advantage at half time.

Jacob Spolding gave the Roosters the start they were after with a goal 30 seconds after the resumption of play, but with both sides guilty of committing plenty of errors, play was largely restricted to between the two 50m arcs.

A Stephen Clifton goal edged the margin out to 17 points to have alarm bells ringing in Gary Ayres' coaches box, but a stunning high mark from David Pitt set up a Robin Nahas long bomb to settle frayed nerves.

Young Kangaroo Gavin Urquhart hadn't enjoyed the best of nights, but he redeemed himself somewhat when he emerged from a pack, took a bounce and goaled from long range to send North into the last change with an 18-point buffer.

The Borough desperately needed the first goal of the last quarter if a comeback was to be mounted, but the Roosters slammed the door shut to ensure a historic victory with the first four majors.

Port Melbourne       3.2   7.5   9.6    11.9  (75)
North Ballarat          4.2   8.3  12.6   18.12  (120)

GOALS
Port Melbourne: Baird 3, Cain 3, Mullins 2, Bonaddio, Nahas, McLaren.
North Ballarat: Smith 5, Spolding 2, Wundke 2, Roach 2, Driscoll, Grima, Garlett, Swallow, Clifton, Urquhart, McMahon.

INJURIES
Port Melbourne: Nahas (groin)
North Ballarat: Grima (jarred knee), Smith (cut head)

Reports: Nil

Official crowd: 11,640 at Telstra Dome