Sebas survive and slip into the final three

IN difficult, soaking wet conditions for football, Sebastopol has progressed to the preliminary final in the McDonald’s Ballarat Football League with a heart stopping six-point win on Sunday over Redan at the C. E. Brown Reserve.

Ryan Noether, Lachlan Cassidy and particularly, Daniel Widgery, lead the way in the midfield in a combined effort to nullify the influence of Lions’ ruck Orren Stephenson and secure the victory.

Noether had the tall task of going head-to-head with Lachie George once again and the small, but tough as nails on-baller got the deserving praise from his coach post game.

“Yeah I agree in saying Ryan got the points today, he did a power of work for us along with Daniel Widgery with his tackling, and his ability to get the ball for us as well,” said Sebas coach, Leigh Hutchinson. “Ryan Noether’s game was equally sensational.”

Without the likes of Brett Goodes, Michael Powell and James Keeble up forward, as well as Luke Kiel who was a late withdrawal through illness, the injury hampered Burra just continued to find a way with late inclusion Brad Weightman bobbing up with the match winner.

Vice-captain, Chase Dummett said post game, “Wax [Weightman] was massive for us today. Our forwards were immense, as soon as the ball got down there, they were hungry and hunted the ball carrier and that’s what we’ve got do to win these sorts of games.”

For Redan, an up and down season finishes with more positives than negatives, and with Jarrett Giampaolo recommitting to the club for season 2020, there is no doubt there more finals footy is on the horizon for the Lions.