Sebas stun reigning premiers to set up top of the ladder clash

SEBASTOPOL and North Ballarat are on course for a top two showdown in a week’s time after the Burra stunned reigning premier Darley for a 22-point win at Marty Busch Reserve on Saturday.

The Burra fought back from a 10-point three-quarter time deficit to overrun the Devils for a stirring 15.12 (102) to 12.8 (80) victory.

It was the Devils’ second defeat in three weeks after their 23-game winning streak was ended by Melton in round 4, dropping them to fourth on the ladder.

Meanwhile, the Burra have joined North Ballarat (top) and Ballarat (third) on 6-1 in second place.

Keen to keep a lid on things, Burra playing coach Tony Lockyer said it was nevertheless pleasing to show what they were capable of against ‘quality opposition’ following a poor effort the previous week against Sunbury.

“You are always going to get a good contest against Darley and that’s how it was today (Saturday) … it was fierce but fair,” he said.

“We were fortunate to get the outcome we did.

“I’m super proud of the boys for bouncing back from a disappointing day last week.

“It was a bit of a reality check for us – some bad habits had crept back in over the last month.

“We really couldn’t have played any worse, but Sunbury came out of the blocks firing.

“All credit to them; they put some heat on us and we were way off the mark.

“In this comp, if you have a bad day, you are not going to win a game of footy.”

In sparkling form early in the contest, Lockyer conceded it would have been disappointing for the Burra to undo their good early work against the Devils.

They led by 23 points at quarter time and 11 at half-time, before the Devils rallied with a five-goal to one third quarter to take the ascendancy into the last.

“Even the start of the last quarter probably went Darley’s way, but we just responded really well,” he said.

“It might have even been 16 points their way half-way through the last, but we lifted and willed ourselves over the line.

“It’s great for the group’s belief.”

The Burra were led by experienced hands in Luke Kiel, Toby Hutt, Lachlan Cassidy, Bailey Medwell, Ben Hutt and Lockyer.

“Kiely had a role with (Brett) Bewley to minimise his impact, but as we know, it’s impossible to rule out his impact; he’s such a great player,” Lockyer said.

“But Kiely did a good job.

“And Toby Hutt just continued the brilliant form he’s been in over the last six weeks and kicked a couple (three) of pivotal goals.”

Adam Forbes was lively also and finished with three goals.

For Darley, Jayven Tanner shone with four goals, while Nick Hind was his usual busy self.

Joel Cadman, Michael Edwards, Lachlan George and Duncan Cadman were similarly prominent.

The Devils again showed patches of their brilliant best, particularly during the third quarter, but were in the end overrun by a Burra team high on belief and confidence.

With a third of the home and away season done and dusted, Lockyer could not be happier with how the Burra are progressing.

Albeit, in the knowledge there is still much to be done if they are to realise their finals aspirations.

“If you had said at the start of the year we’d be 5-1 going into the bye, I would have taken it every day of the week,” he said.

“In a competition like this that is so strong, we’ll absolutely take it.

“We were extremely disappointed against Sunbury … it was a poor performance.

“But in the overall scheme of things I’m really happy with the start and looking forward to a big game against North Ballarat.”