COBURG entered Sunday’s must-win clash with North Ballarat quietly confident it could ignite a season yet to produce a spark.

The Roosters, a skeleton of the side that has climbed the VFL premiership dais the past three years, were without spearhead Aaron Edwards who was promoted to North Melbourne’s attack and yet to win at Eureka Stadium this season.

Also in Coburg’s favour was the return of assistant coach Sam Power, who missed three weeks with a slight hamstring tear.

By quarter-time it was evident it was the Tigers’ fruitless streak that would continue.

North Ballarat held a 33-point advantage as Aaron Black took control of the forward arc and young Kangaroo Liam Anthony blossomed in the midfield.

Tigers captain Nick Carnell was at his gritty best, but new coach Adam Potter’s side was without Shane Edwards, who replaced Matthew White in Richmond’s side against the Western Bulldogs.

North Ballarat scooted to a 60-point victory, but Richmond-listed pair Tom Hislop and Jeromey Webberley again showed the tenacity that has them on the brink of AFL selection.

Webberley has repeatedly caused headaches for rival VFL coaches this year, with his drive off half-back pivotal to launching Tiger attacks.

On Sunday it was the forward line responsible for such a lopsided scoreline. It converted just six goals from 23 attempts, only five fewer than the Roosters.

And Potter looks little chance of regaining Richmond rookie Brad Miller, who was in hot form for Damien Hardwick with three goals against the Dogs.

Winless after Round 8, Coburg’s finals chances appear over despite a friendly fortnight ahead.

Already Potter has matched his side against pace-setters the Northern Bullants, Williamstown, Box Hill and now the Roosters.

It sets up a fascinating duel with bottom side Frankston in Craigieburn this Sunday, before a clash with Collingwood.

The Dolphins’ last win game against Coburg, in Round 2 last year, and the loser could be consigned to a lengthy stay on the bottom.

Frankston livewire Luke Clark kicked five third-quarter goals to nearly cause the upset of the season against the Ants on Saturday, but his side fell 16 points short