Scoop Reviews Preliminary Final
Sebastopol booked their place in the 2026 McDonald’s BFNL Grand Final with Ballarat after a nail-biting four-point win over North Ballarat.
Sebastopol
def.
North Ballarat
Led by inspirational leader Tony Lockyer in defence, and his elite band of midfielders, the mighty Burra fought tirelessly for their survival, making every intent with and without the ball count.
The Roosters, while brave, did not take their chances, especially late, registering 1.4 from the last five scoring shots of the game.
After scores were tied at quarter time, in an arm wrestle of sorts, it was the Roosters who controlled the game in the early parts of the second and third terms asking questions of the Burra’s character and resilience.
Clint Proctor’s group booted six goals collectively across the opening 16 minutes through the middle terms but the Burra, largely on the back of tidal wave support from the bleaches at Marty Busch Reserve, found a way back, answering the call.
The Roosters led by as much as 18 points nearing time on in the second term before Jack Bambury stamped his authority on the game.
The star mid booted three quick goals for the Burra to give them a narrow half time lead.
The physicality of the contest was palpable. The Burra’s blue collar guernsey, matched by their blue-collar work ethic, overwhelmed the ‘still developing’ Roosters, and played a significant role in the result.
Sebastopol were essentially an itch North Ballarat couldn’t scratch.
Midfield combo Lachie Cassidy, Felix Henderson, Bailey Medwell and Bambury, out hunted, out muscled and outscored their mounting number of Roosters opponents.
In a relatively low scoring affair given a firm deck and bright, sunny conditions, the Burra’s midfield combined for five goals, mauling the Roosters out of stoppage especially, who could only manufacture just one major between them.
Isaac Carey led the Roosters’ charge with bit contributions from a number of team mates including dangerous pair Declyn McGuigan (one goal) and Jamie Quick (two goals).
Gun trio Josh Morris, Sam Glover and big man Dave Brinker-Ritchie all had their moments, but it wasn’t enough to deny the Burra who having lost 56 of their first 60 meetings against North Ballarat, have flipped the narrative of recent head-to-head battles winning seven of the last 11.
The four-point margin an exact repeat of their qualifying final exploits a fortnight ago.
Despite very little separating the two sides heading in on the numbers front, this occasion was decided by a force far greater, an uncompromising appetite and desire to earn a date with Ash Baker’s Ballarat Swans at City Oval on the BFNL’s biggest stage.
For the record, the Burras last premiership success came way back in 1975, the Swans in 2008.
For one, the wait will soon be over.
STATS THAT MATTERED
Jack Bambury (Sebastopol) - 35 disposals, 12 clearances, 12 marks
Lachlan Cassidy (Sebastopol) - 33 disposals, 13 tackles, 10 clearances
Dominic Penny (North Ballarat) - 33 disposals, 21 contested possessions, 10 intercept possessions
COACHES’ VERDICT
Tony Lockyer (Sebastopol)
“Another amazing contest of BFL footy played in fantastic spirit and fashion. Congratulations to Clint and the North boys on their year. Super consistent all year in what has been the strongest comp in years. They deserve a lot of praise for their year. Super proud of our club. A huge response this week and back to our brand. We know our best can get it done on any day and we look forward to the opportunity to deliver next Saturday. We will enjoy the week for what it is and give it everything for the Burra faithful.”
Clint Proctor (North Ballarat)
“Congrats to Sebas and Tony on the win - I wish them all the best for the grand final, we would love to be there. We controlled the game from the start of the match, however our last 10min in second quarter was not at the standard we expect, and we gave up our lead and ascendancy of game. It went down to the line and was another tight one where we have fallen short, we had moments in the last to kick away but missed our chances."
FINAL SCORES
Sebastopol 2.1-13, 7.2-44, 9.6-60. 10.6-66 def.
North Ballarat 2.1-13, 6.3-39, 8.4-52, 9.8-62
Sebastopol (Goals): J.Bambury 3, A.Munari 2, B.Medwell, J.Wilkinson, J.McDonald, L.Kiel.
North Ballarat (Goals): J.Quick 2, J.Lockett 2, S.Artz 2, D.Penny D.McGuigan, I.Lovisson.
Sebastopol (Best): J.Bambury, L.Cassidy, T.Lockyer, B.Medwell, B.Hutt, T.Hutt, L.Kiel.
North Ballarat (Best): I.Carey, D.McGuigan, S.Glover, D.Brinker-Ritchie, D.Penny, S.Artz, H.Shea.
