Sebas holds off swift Swans finish

Sebastopol 9.14 (68) defeated Ballarat 9.5 (59)

BACK-to-back grand final appearances await Sebastopol after holding off a fast-finishing Ballarat Swans outfit to book their spot on biggest day in the McDonald’s Ballarat Football League calendar.

The Burra lead at every change, and shook off the disappointments from earlier in the season where they lost to Ballarat in dramatic fashion, to run out nine-point victors.

Sebas welcomed Hugo Papst back into the side after missing the semi final with illness, while Ballarat coach Joe Carmody made some tough calls at the selection table to leave out livewire Jake Drever and brought in Taylor Sutton, Keegan Mellington and Lawson Prengergast.

In the opening term Sebas got themselves off to a hot start with Toby Hutt’s contested marking prowess on full display.

A mouth-watering one on one dual with the VFL listed Bailey Van De Heuvel was one of the exciting head-to-head match ups with Riley O’Keefe up against Josh Gibson and Grady Snowden’s dual with Andrew Hooper also ones to watch.

Despite Sebas’ territorial dominance, Gibson and Hooper goaled late to keep the Swans in touching distance despite kicking against the breeze going into the first break.

James Richards seemed formidable in the ruck and the move from Michael Searl to swing in Luke Kiel seemed to play dividends as Sebas continued to wrestle control the contest.

The inside work of Daniel Widgery, Chase Dummett and Lachlan Cassidy again lead the way for the Burra as their power of work in the centre of the ground out muscled a young and inexperienced Ballarat midfield.

Van de Heuvel was swung forward in the second half with Snowden having to leave Hooper allowing the 2019 Tony Lockett Medallist to finally getting an inch and get off the chain.

But at the other end Sebas small forward Adam Forbes showcased his crafty skills with a couple goals meaning he may have secured his place in the grand final on Saturday.

Dan Widgery goaled with his second at the 15-miniute mark of the last to put the game beyond as a late finish from Ballarat wasn’t enough as the Burra finally broke their Swans hoodoo.

A gallant Ballarat returned to finals footy in season 2022 and the loss means we bid farewell to coach Joe Carmody as their senior coach.

For Sebas Michael Searl has one week left in charge and in his only full season as senior coach he could leave with legend status if the Burra are able to pull off yet another upset and win their first ever premiership in the Ballarat Football League.