Strong Sebas break Mars stranglehold

FOR the first time in over a decade, Sebastopol has toppled archrivals North Ballarat and most importantly, kept their finals aspirations alive with a 29-point victory, winning 7.15 (57) to 3.10 (28).

In soaking wet conditions, the Burra trailed early, but a best on ground effort from assistant coach, Tony Lockyer, along with a 26-possesion and one goal performance from inside midfielder, Lachlan Cassidy, ended up being far too good for North Ballarat to handle.

At his three-quarter time address, North Ballarat coach, Shane Skontra, challenged his chargers to show composure and swung the magnets around with veteran, Ryan Hobbs, being sent from full back to full forward.

The move didn’t work but, with Hobbs direct opponent for three quarters, James Keeble, without the Hobbs matchup being able to kick a goal in the opening minute of the final term to secure the historic victory.

Post-game, an ecstatic Leigh Hutchinson said, “To just walk into the room and see happy faces post-match just shows how good of a win it was and it really just kicks off our season again.

“We do need to continue to take each week as it comes, and we have to continue to win each contest to stay in the contest each week.

“The league is really close and amongst all the sides, anyone can win on any given day, so wins like this does give us great confidence moving forward.”

Toby Thoolen was exceptional in the ruck for the Kookaburras, rarely losing a hit out, however, North Ballarat did lose their big man, Cameron Mccallum, to an ankle injury in the third term, which did make Thoolen’s momentous job a little easier.

Ex-Adelaide Crow, Will Young, booted all North Ballarat’s three goals for the day, but was well held all afternoon by Sebastopol’s, Grady Snowden, who battled concussion symptoms throughout the game after a big collision just before half time.