Sebas to leave no stone unturned in finals pursuit

ONLY time will tell whether Sebastopol can sneak into this season’s BFNL finals series.

But one thing is for certain – the Burra won’t die wondering.

The Burra ignited their season by becoming the second non-top six team to topple reigning premier Melton in as many weeks, executing a stirring 20-point victory over the Bloods at Macpherson Park last Saturday.

Behind at every change of end, albeit by only two goals or less at half-time and three-quarter-time, the Burra stormed home with a four-goal-to-nil final term to leave the Bloods shellshocked.

A season-best victory, which continued an impressive last four rounds for the Burra that has included big wins over fellow finals aspirant Ballarat and bottom side Lake Wendouree, and an eye-catching five-point loss to premiership fancy East Point, has the Burra poised to pounce on a top six spot.

Still in eighth position, they trail fifth-placed Bacchus Marsh by just one win and percentage, with the gap to sixth-placed North Ballarat and Ballarat (seventh) just two points.

It leads to another crunch game against a much-improved Redan at Marty Busch Reserve this Saturday.

In what yet might eventuate as the ‘one that got away’ and ultimately costs them a finals spot, the Burra dropped their round four clash against the Lions by two points.

But rather than looking back, Burra coach Tony Lockyer is only looking ahead to a fascinating next five weeks on the way to finals.

“It’s good to start stringing some performances together and to build some momentum in the back half of the year and to get the win down there (at Melton) on the weekend,” he said.

“We’ve sort of weathered the storm on the injury front.

“You never like using that as a reason, but when you don’t get your core senior group together, it does have an effect.

“But we are starting to get some consistency in the lineup. As well, the commitment to the method we want to play has been far more consistent as well.

“It all adds up. Hopefully, we can continue that momentum.”

While Sebastopol finished the game strongly against Melton, Lockyer hailed a diligent first quarter against a strong breeze as the foundation.

The Burra restricted the Bloods to just 2.5, before clawing their way within 12 points at half-time as the wind started to drop.

A gutsy but imposing win over quality opposition has the Burra firmly in the finals picture.

“We know our best is good enough, we just haven’t quite seen it yet this year,” Lockyer said.

“We are starting to see that come through now.

“We want to continue the momentum and not only challenge for finals, but those top four teams.

“Melton was one of them; East Point we got close to, and we get another crack at Sunbury and another crack at Darley.

“We are looking forward to those games as much as any others. They are just as important.”

While all five remaining games hold finals implications for the Burra, their round 17 and 18 clashes against the Roosters and Cobras loom as must-wins.

Before then, Lockyer and the Burra have their sights set firmly on Redan, which got the better of Sebas in winning a round four thriller by two points.

Little more than a goal separated the two teams all day, with midfielder Brody Pope and Daniel Bond (three goals) helping lift the Lions to victory.

The Burra are bracing for the Lions to come out breathing fire after gaining a win of their own against Melton a fortnight ago and taking the fight to East Point in a 22-point loss last week.

“Redan have obviously been playing some pretty good football themselves,” Lockyer said.

“We really need to tick this one off and keep rolling from there.”

THE ROAD HOME FOR SEBASTOPOL:

v Redan (home); v Sunbury (home); v Darley (away); North Ballarat (away); v Bacchus Marsh (home).