Swannies secure second, Sebas let it slip

Sebastopol 9.15 (69) defeated by Ballarat 11.6 (72)

WAYWARD kicking has cost the Burra an automatic second chance come finals next week, as Ballarat won yet another thriller in the Ballarat Football League, this time hanging on by three points at the Marty Busch Reserve.

Triple Premiership player with Hawthorn in the AFL, Josh Gibson, was the difference booting three crucial goals and having a hand in many others as the elder statesman of a youthful Swannies outfit showed he still has plenty to offer when it comes to crunch time.

In what was always expected to be a super close encounter the scoresheet told a tale of two different sides, Sebas unable to make the most of their start, booting 1.5 in the opening term and not taking scoreboard advantage from all their territorial dominance.

The Swans then flicked the switch in the second, booting six unanswered goals to register a commanding 37-point half-time lead.

As the game ticked on, percentage became a factor as Darley had defeated North Ballarat.

That meant Sebastopol had to at least close the margin or could have slipped down to fourth on the ladder, and that they did, with a five to zero goal term that could have seen Mick Searl’s side take the lead if again chances were taken.

Despite having all the momentum and strong crowd behind them, the Burra could never regain the lead as Gibson again provided to be the difference and Ballarat held firm to win a nail bitter.

The win for Ballarat means they finished second on the ladder and enter next week’s qualifying final clash with Melton hopeful to regain Aiden Domic, Luke Wynd and Nick Swain who all missed on the weekend.

For the Burra, no real selection news expected.

Liam Stow and Bailey Medwell will come into calculation, yet while Sebas’ good run of five wins in a row may have been broken, the heart stopping loss shouldn’t deter their premiership charge.