Burra primed for crucial Roosters clash

SEBASTOPOL is eagerly anticipating the second half of its BFNL 2025 campaign, starting with a pivotal showdown against North Ballarat at Marty Busch Recreation Reserve on Saturday.

The Burra breathed plenty of life into their footy season with a stirring 29-point win over Bacchus Marsh at Maddingley Park before the King’s Birthday long-weekend bye.

Their second win of the season put them within four points of the Cobras in sixth place, separated by North Ballarat on 10 points.

A win on Saturday would lift the Burra above the Roosters in the fight for sixth spot.

They could potentially draw level with Bacchus Marsh, with the Cobras facing a tough assignment against fourth-placed Sunbury, looking to rebound from a 23-point loss to Melton.

For Lockyer and the Burra, there is no denying the importance of the clash against the Roosters.

“It’s the same scenario as Bacchus Marsh, it’s a team we are going to be competing for spots (in the top six) against,” he said.

“These are the games we won’t to be playing in and competing in.

“We are looking forward to it.”

North Ballarat will be coming off a 31-point loss to Darley.

Beyond that, Sebastopol will play Ballarat in what shapes as a season-defining two weeks.

The Burra will be looking to avenge a 32-point loss to the Swans from round two.

Wins against both the Roosters and Swans would give them no shortage of the momentum as the race towards the finals intensifies.

“We are only one game out of it (the six) at the moment,” Lockyer said.

“Had we lost to Bacchus Marsh, it would have been far more of a challenge for us.

“Like all teams we have players on the sidelines, but hopefully we get a few back against North.”

While they will definitely have to earn it, Lockyer hoped their win over the Cobras would give his players the belief they belong in the finals mix.

“I was just pleased for the boys to have that feeling of belief in them and to get a confidence boost,” he said.

“I can tell them how much I believe in them until the cows come home, but until they get that feeling themselves that’s when they realise it.

“To do it down at Bacchus Marsh against a quality Bacchus Marsh team is really pleasing.

“They are a team we are going to be thereabouts with when you look at the run home.

“They are a good side, but it was a good performance.”

Lockyer, who got through his first game following a stint on the sidelines with a broken arm that required surgery, felt the win was a reward for effort over a sustained period.

“It’s been weeks of work. We’ve seen glimpses of it, but it was probably the first time it’s clicked for the four quarters,” he said.

“The boys locked into the contest early and just built on it.

“It was nothing in particular, just weeks and weeks of hard work, extending back into pre-season.”

While the win over the Cobras was built on a full-team effort, it comprised plenty of stellar individual performances.

Henderson medallist Lachlan Cassidy gathered 47 possessions and kicked two goals, while Toby Hutt picked up 30 possessions.

Cooper Littlehales continued his solid season with three goals, earning plenty of praise from his coach.

“He had an injury interrupted year last year, so it’s just good to see him out on the park each week,” Lockyer said.

“We are really starting to see his potential come though.”