Sebas keeping a lid on after impressive start

SEBASTOPOL playing coach Tony Lockyer says while belief is building in his team after a second straight win to start the 2026 BFNL season, he is backing his players to remain grounded.

The Burra joined reigning premier Darley as one of only two undefeated teams in the competition after two rounds with a 12.20 (92) to 11.11 (77) victory over Ballarat at Alfredton Recreation Reserve last Saturday.

Having played a standalone game against East Point on Good Friday, Bacchus Marsh also has two wins, but also a loss after crashing to its first defeat against North Ballarat.

The Burra, who led by a solitary point at half-time and by four at three-quarter-time, showed the benefit of a massive pre-season, finishing full of running with a three-goal-to-one final term.

They might have had the game sewn up earlier if not for some inaccuracy in front of goal, particularly in the first quarter when they kicked 3.8 to the Swans’ 3.1.

But a sterling defensive effort saw the Burra concede just two goals in the second half while adding four of their own.

Lockyer praised his side’s ability to execute their brand of football and handle pressure against the highly-fancied Swans.

 

“We set out to start the year well and it’s good to tick the box result-wise and do that,” he said.

“I was just pleased with the way we attacked the game and took it on.

“We had a plan against a tough opponent and we executed it well.”

While a win over the Swans, widely tipped to rise up the ladder in 2026, represents a major scalp, Lockyer is determined to keep a lid on expectations.

“We don’t listen to outside noise too much, we have got a huge belief in our own group in what we can do this year,” he said.

“It was just good to get a win against a team that’s highly rated.

“3.8 in the first quarter was a bit of a concern. We probably had five posters today … it was just one of those games where we didn’t hit our chances.

“But if we focus on the way we moved the footy and the way we created those chances, it was pleasing.

“We would have been bitterly disappointed to lose it. I felt we were the better team across the full four quarters.”

The Burra were suffocating in defence, particularly in the second half.

Limiting the supply to the Swans forwards was a major focus after half-time, according to Lockyer.

“We really rate the way Ballarat play and Ash Baker has them very well drilled, with quality leadership from the likes of Alex Keath and Crouchy (Brad Crouch),” he said.

 

“It’s helped them set up well and they have some great young talent across the board.

“It was a focus in the second half to stifle their ball movement and restrict them. It was a bit of a shoot-out early.

“It was always going to be a bit of a grind, second game of the year, and both sides coming off round 1 a bit sore from hard games.

“We challenged the boys at three-quarter-time to work really hard and the result would look after itself.

“Getting a few on the board early in the last quarter really helped steady us.”

The Burra were well served in the midfield by recruit Felix Henderson, Jack Bambury and Ben Hutt, while Toby Hutt fared exceptionally well against highly-touted Swans ruckman Paddy Graham.

Another recruit Joel Edwards has been quick to find top form and finished with three goals.

Together with Adam Forbes (five goals) and Cooper Littlehales, the Burra forwards always looked dangerous, while Ash Munari did a solid job as a negating forward on Swans star Keath.

Lockyer singled out youngster Seth Garner for praise in just his fourth senior game, comprising two each this and last season.

“He really took his game to another level,” he said.

 

Another positive for the Burra, the win was achieved without gun on-baller Lachlan Cassidy, Luke Kiel and former Footscray VFL-listed player Bailey Medwell, who will filter back into the side over the next few weeks and add plenty of firepower.

The Burra will aim to make it three in a row against Redan at Marty Busch Reserve on Anzac Day, with the Lions on the rebound from a 34-point loss to Sunbury, after an impressive win over Lake Wendouree in round 1.

Little separated the two teams last season, with the Lions scoring a narrow win early in the season and the Burra extracting payback in the return game at Sebastopol.

Lockyer is anticipating a tough test.

“We know we’ve improved, but to be honest, I think the competition and the media has underrated Redan a bit,” he said.

“They are certainly going to be well-coached with Marc Greig and they have some quality players.

“I fell like they are really going to challenge some sides and we saw that last week.

“It will be another challenge, but we want to be playing tough teams.”