On the day North City unveiled the 2013 Red Onion Ballarat Football League premiership flag, the home side was made to work hard for its 13.11 (89) to 10.10 (70) victory against a determined Bacchus Marsh outfit.

In a shock for the Northies, Bacchus Marsh came out firing early to hold a three-goal lead at the first break of their Good Friday clash.

The game worsened for North City in the second term as Bacchus Marsh kicked out to a five-goal lead midway through the quarter.

However, a turnover resulting in a Shaun Lyle goal sparked a late City run which brought the home side back within 10 points at half-time.

North City gradually worked its way on top in the third term, booting five goals to the Cobras’ three, taking a slender two-point lead into the final change.

North pair Derrick Micallef and Jarryd Graham booted the only two majors of the last term to seal the triumph.

Keenan George, Daniel Jones and Graham were prominent for the Northies throughout, while Alec Del Papa, Logan Blundell and coach Cameron Richardson shone for the visitors.

North Ballarat City coach Rob Waters was relieved post-match to get the win in what he described as a “tough day at the office.”

“At the 13-minute mark of the second quarter we were five goals down in a low-scoring game. It was very strong of the boys to fight back, continue right to the very end and get the win,” Waters said.

“I thought the difference was our forward line re-adjusted well and we started to hit up some targets ... the forwards played really well in the second half.”

Richardson believed his team’s fitness levels were a major contributor in its second-half fade-out, but he also reserved special praise for the opposition.

“North City are such a well-drilled team ... their fitness and skill level were just superior,” Richardson said.

Richardson also believed Michael Suban faced a likely extended period on the sidelines with a serious shoulder injury sustained during the match.