![\"\"](\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/07\/DSC_0401_39874.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
The Swans will carry plenty of momentum into the contest following back-to-back wins over North Ballarat and Bacchus Marsh, with their 106-point win over the Cobras before the break their most complete performance yet this season.<\/p>\n
It was highlighted by a nine-goal haul from Biggie Nyuon and massive performances from Tristan Maple, Brad Crouch and Fraser Perkins.<\/p>\n
“I can feel that the last couple of weeks we have not so much started to hit our straps, but starting to play a bit more consistently across four quarters, which is what we are trying to build towards,” Baker said.<\/p>\n
“We’ve brought some new people into the team, so the systems and structures we play to were always going to take a bit of time.<\/p>\n
“I just think we are getting better with that each opportunity we get and hopefully the (newer) boys are getting more comfortable within the team.”<\/p>\n
Coming off a 15-point loss to North Ballarat, Burra coach Tony Lockyer conceded last week’s break had come at an opportune time.<\/p>\n
“We’ve been in good form, but were probably a bit tired going into the bye,” he said.<\/p>\n
“It’s been a big stretch, especially being up the top, when you have the best of each team coming at you each week.<\/p>\n
“We had a fair few sore boys limping into the bye and didn’t have enough legs in the tank to get the job done against North.<\/p>\n
“North have some great young kids and credit to them; they played really great that day.<\/p>\n
“Around the ground they were fresh and outworked us in a few different facets.<\/p>\n
“The challenge for us is to be better.”<\/p>\n
The loss snapped a five-game winning streak for the Burra, whose only other loss this season was in round 5 against Sunbury.<\/p>\n
It also knocked them from top spot.<\/p>\n
While a win would see them regain pole position, Lockyer indicated a return to the winners’ list would be reward enough in another tight and even season, where ladder positions have often counted for nothing.<\/p>\n
“It’s a good carrot at the end of the day, but we just have to approach it like we would any other game, which is what we are going to do,” he said.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n “We’re looking forward to it. I’ve said it a bit this year, but each week is tough.<\/p>\n “Ballarat is in some great form, but it’s been a long time since we played them the last time around.<\/p>\n “Both sides would be a fair bit different from then and improved.<\/p>\n “They’ve certainly found a groove.”<\/p>\n Held to two goals in their earlier season meeting, expect Nyuon to feature prominently in Sebastopol’s planning.<\/p>\n “He’s got some consistent form going on and will be a handful up forward,” Lockyer said.<\/p>\n “He’s obviously played at the highest level, so he’s got some great traits.<\/p>\n “But they are a well-balanced team, with quality across the park.”<\/p>\n Lockyer said the upside to their inaccuracy in front goal last time against Ballarat was that they generated plenty of scoring opportunities.<\/p>\n “We’d like to think we could do that again,” he said.<\/p>\n “Just like them, our side will be different. Last time there was no Bailey Medwell or Lachie Cassidy, and we missed those two against North, as well as Gedd Hommelhoff as the mainstays.<\/p>\n “We hope to welcome them back this week, which will make a big difference.”<\/p>\n Elsewhere on Saturday, North Ballarat takes on Bacchus Marsh at Mars Stadium, with the Cobras in desperate need of a win to keep in touch with the top six.<\/p>\n After surviving a mammoth scare against Redan, Darley hosts East Point in another potential danger game.<\/p>\n Sunbury clashes with Redan at Clarke Oval, while Melton will be aiming for three wins in a row in its encounter against Lake Wendouree at Macpherson Park.<\/p>\n Recap of round 11 (27 June): North Ballarat 11.14 (80) defeated Sebastopol 9.8 (62); Redan 10.10 (70) lost to Darley 11.10 (76); Melton 16.10 (106) defeated East Point 12.8 (80); Bacchus Marsh 5.9 (39) lost to Ballarat 22.13 (145); Lake Wendouree 8.10 (58) lost to Sunbury 18.16 (124).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" BALLARAT coach Ash Baker says he is anticipating a strong response from Sebastopol following its round 11 loss to North Ballarat when the Swans and Burra clash at Marty Busch Reserve on Saturday. Baker, who has announced he is stepping down as coach of the Swans at the end of the year, has already seen […]<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/07\/DSC_0418_42877.jpg\")