Sebas survive Lions scare

Sebastopol 10.14 (74) defeated Redan 8.17 (65)

A COLD wintery afternoon wasn’t enough to stop all the hot action on the field as the Burra were able to hold off a gallant Redan outfit in their first home victory of season 2021 in the McDonalds Ballarat Football Netball League.

Eleven scoring shots to four in the final term opened the door for the Lions to snatch victory, but their wayward kicking couldn’t sink Sebas as they cemented their place inside the competitions top six.

It was a lacklustre opening half of footy with execution from both sides a problem with plenty of balls heading out on the full and scoreboard pressure not being applied to visitors by Sebastopol, who had all the play.

Their inability to put away Redan in the opening half became a huge problem with the Lions kicking the opening two goals of the third term as Jarrett Giampaolo’s men looked poised to pinch the lead.

However, the Burra responded with three unanswered goals to close the third term with Jed Hill, James Keeble and Mick Lockyer getting on the scoreboard and all but putting the game beyond reach.

Best on ground Lachlan Cassidy slotted a major in the early stages of the final term to blow the game as far out as 26 points, only for Redan to grit their teeth and add some respectability onto the scoreboard by the games closure.

The injury toll for Sebas will be the talking point going into next week. Luke Kiel took not further part after the first term with a hamstring, while Michael Powell did his hamstring in the third, Tucka Harvey rolled his ankle, Chase Dummett hurt his calf, and James Richards re-injured his shoulder. Add to that and Bambury is set to return to the Greater Western Victoria Rebels and there’s some huge selection headaches for coach Mick Searl.

Next round Sebas are set to make the trip down the highway to take on Bacchus Marsh who are yet to lose at home in season 2021, whereas Redan host Sunbury in a game that has the potential to decide who does and who doesn’t finish inside the top six.