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THE Courier's Pat Nolan says North Ballarat City was just too good - everywhere.
"Ït was a clinical display."
Ballarat gave it a great shot in the first half to lead at half-time, but had no answer to North's onslaught which produced 14 goals to four after the main break.
Nolan says Ballarat ran out of legs, not helped by the loss of coach Ash Baker.
North Ballarat City was by far the best team in the home and away season and it showed why on the day that counted most.
Shaun Lyle kicked five goals, with Derick Micallef and Marcus Darmody each getting four.
Nick O'Farrell was Ballarat's leading goalkicker with two.
ALL OVER
NORTH BALLARAT CITY 20.17 (137)
BALLARAT 12.12 (84)
It is back-to-back BFL premierships under coach Robbie Waters.
FOURTH QUARTER - the final countdown: late Swan goal and margin back inside 60 points. We're deep in time-on.
FOURTH QUARTER - 22:00: A Shaun Lyle Mark almost 50m out and a great finishing goal for North Ballarat City and it's a 10-goal blow-out.
FOURTH QUARTER - 17:30: Tom Stapleton gets a major on the board, but the end cannot come soon enough for the Swans.
FOURTH QUARTER - 16:00: North's Simon McCartin kicks a goal and City leads by 61 points.
Luke Brennan sends a good looking kick forward, but it's foiled deep. He has been pretty solid for Ballarat though.
FOURTH QUARTER - 7:00 Derick Micallef thriller goal from pocket. City making it look easy.
FOURTH QUARTER - 6:00: North's Shaun Lyle boots his third goal. City by 44 points.
FOURTH QUARTER - 4:00: It's City by 38 points.
FOURTH QUARTER - 3:00: North's Marcus Darmody lines up for five and misses, but takes interception from kick-in delivers to Shaun Lyle for North goal.
FOURTH QUARTER - 1:00: Only 20 seconds in and North's Micallef has a shot on goal. Lucky for Ballarat it's a point.
THE Courier's Pat Nolan says Ballarat will need to do produce something special to get back into the game.
North Ballarat City poured on seven goals to one in the third quarter in a masterly display.
Marcus Darmody had a big say, playing as a high forward and kicking his fourth goal for the day.
Ryan Hobbs is dominating in defence - close to best on the ground.
Nolan says the loss of coach Ash Baker has been a big blow for the Swans, with him having left the ground holding an arm after a collision with Derick Micallef.
THREE QUARTER TIME
The reigning premier in control.
North Ballarat City 13.13 (91) v Ballarat 9.8 (62)
THIRD QUARTER - 26:00: Swan Chris Procktor takes great grab on the run, but kick goes across the face of goal. Needed that one. North by 26 points.
THIRD QUARTER - 23:00: North Ballarat City's Derick Micallef makes the snap. Marcus Darmody picks up crumbs and kicks his fourth goal. North by 26 points.
THIRD QUARTER - 19:00: Swans ruckman Sam Conroy takes a great grab deep, but misses vital chance. North by 20 points.
THIRD QUARTER - 17:30: Jarryd Graham benefits from North drive forward and goals. Score check: North 12.9 (81) v Ballarat 9.6 (60)
THIRD QUARTER - 17:00: Swans coach Ash Baker comes off second best in courageous contest and collision with North's Derick Micallef. Helped off ground.
THIRD QUARTER - 14:00: Super quick clearance and response from North Ballarat City. Marc Greig sneaks one through less than a minute after Cassidy goal. Are we in for a shoot-out?
THIRD QUARTER - 13:00: And the Swans do! Lachie Cassidy makes the major repl with a lovely long kick sailing to Peel Street end. North Ballarat City leads by nine points
THIRD QUARTER - 11:30: Great goal Jarrod Edwards. A little dance about his opponent before he goes bang! It's North by 15 points. Ballarat needs to arrest the momentum to stay in this.
THIRD QUARTER - 6:00: North Ballarat City has put the foot down. Jarryd Graham to Shaun Lyle and it's another North goal on the rebound. North by nine points.
THIRD QUARTER - 4:00: DERICK MICALLEF! North grabs the lead with second goal of the quarter. City has come out running.
THIRD QUARTER - 1:00: North's Keenan George gets first major inside first minute and Ballarat leads by just four points
THIRD QUARTER - early minutes: North get first quick clearance. Simon McCartin kick goes astray but cuts margin to 10 points.
SENIOR FOOTBALL - HALF-TIME SUMMARY
THE Courier's Pat Nolan says Ballarat has all the momentum going into the second half, with the Swans' pace by foot giving it the edge over North Ballarat City.
Nolan says while Luke Brennan has been quiet, Myles and Adam Sewell, and youngster Mitch Martin have given Ballarat some real spark.
Ballarat's dominance in the midfield has been a major factor in the massive turn around since the second semi-final two weeks ago when North Ballarat City led by 47 points at half-time.
North is making uncharacteristic mistakes and pay the price.
Marcus Darmody kicked three goals in the opening quarter for City, but was kept much quieter in the second.
A GRADE NETBALL - IT'S ALL OVER
Melton has broken its 13-year drought by claiming the premiership.
The Bloods defeated Sunbury 48-33.
Melton goal defence Brooke Thompson has been awarded best on court.
She also announced her retirement.
What a way to go out!
SENIOR FOOTBALL
SECOND QUARTER - right on (or after the siren): Ohhh!! North's Marc Greig unleashes ball just after siren sounds. Point counts though. Swans by 11 points at the break.
Ballarat Swans 8.6 (54) v North Ballarat City 6.7 (43)
A GRADE NETBALL
Midway through the last term and Melton has it in the bag, leading Sunbury 42-28.
Early in last term. Sunbury has started well, but still trails Melton by 12 goals. Bloods up 39-27
SENIOR FOOTBALL
SECOND QUARTER - 26:00: Kennedy then Myles Sewell take chances up forward for minor scores. Swans by 12 points.
SECOND QUARTER - 21:00: Luke Brennan gets quick reply to North Ballarat City. About six minutes to go until half-time.
SECOND QUARTER - 20:00: Michael Todd goal steadies North. City's up by two points.
A GRADE NETBALL - THREE QUARTER TIME
Melton well and truly in charge, with one hand on the premiership cup.
Lions need something special
Melton 38 v Sunbury 24
SENIOR FOOTBALL
SECOND QUARTER - 17:00 Keenan George takes three bounces, drives forward, but North is smothered. Swans by four points.
A GRADE NETBALL
North's Ryan Luke is off the ground injured. Possibly hip/groin trouble.
SECOND QUARTER - 11:00: Swans rush ball forward and Will McGregor goals. Swans by five points.
SECOND QUARTER - 2:00: Swan Myles Sewell point, then brother Adam Sewell backs it up with a goal. Ballarat up by a point!
A GRADE NETBALL
As expected, Melissa McCauley has been a dominant force for Melton
SECOND QUARTER
First score of the quarter is behind to Marc Greig . North City lead out to six points.
Ballarat's Luke Brennan very quiet so far. Brendan Howard doing a good job for North City.
A GRADE NETBALL - HALF-TIME
Melton 23 v Sunbury 18
Don't know where to watch.
QUARTER TIME
Phew. Final sometime to draw breath.
Outstanding opening quarter. Huge!
North Ballarat City 5.2 (32) v Ballarat 4.3 (27)
FIRST QUARTER - late: North's Michael Todd boots a clear goal to puth North five points up. It's deep in quarter and tight.
Great tackle from North's Jarryd Graham on Swan Myles Sewell, a proven VFL premiership performer.
FIRST QUARTER - 24:00 ADAM SEWELL!!! Swans in front by one point. Wow!
FIRST QUARTER - 23:00: coach and 2008 premiership Ash Baker goals to put his team back within five points after poor North decision-making.
FIRST QUARTER - Marcus Darmody on fire. Great mark on lead again, kicks goal from 45m. North Ballarat City lead 4.2 (26) to 2.2 (14)
FIRST QUARTER - 19:00: Daniel Kennedy goals for the Swans after first touch to Luke Brennan (handballed assist)
FIRST QUARTER - 14:00: North's Marcus Darmody chalks up second major and it's City by 11 points
A GRADE NETBALL - QUARTER TIME
Melton leads Sunbury 12-8 over Sunbury in a bruising encounter thus far
SENIOR FOOTBALL
FIRST QUARTER - 10:00:
Ayden George - great build-up but misses to the side. It's a six-point lead to North.
A GRADE NETBALL UPDATE
Ballarat ruckman Sam Conroy moving well. Had a niggling ankle injury this finals series
FIRST QUARTER - 7:00: Sam Caldow drives it forward for Ballarat to Chris Procktor, who takes a great grab in goal square. Swans get a major on the board
FIRST QUARTER - EARLY: Bang! Darmody goals. North Ballarat has two straight on the board
Great mark Marcus Darmody! He's going to line up for North.
OFFICIAL TEAM PHOTOS BEFORE THE BIG ONE
A RESERVE NETBALL
Sunbury lands what it hopes is the first of back-to-back netball premierships for the day.
Sunbury 35 d East Point 24
Best on court: Kila Elavo (Sunbury)
The Lions now face Melton in the A grade play-off.
Now it's Ballarat's turn.
North Ballarat City hits the ground.
NO CHANGES
PAT Nolan confirms North Ballarat City and Ballarat will line up as selected.
North Ballarat City
B: Brendan Howard, Jordan Harrison, Daniel Jones
HB: Ryan Luke, Ryan Hobbs, Mitchell Jenkins
C: Joshua Bromley-Lynch, Jarryd Graham, Simon Mc Cartin
HF: Michael Todd, Marc Greig, Shaun Lyle
F: Derick Micallef, Marcus Darmody, Keenan George
R: Tristan Cartledge, Ayden George, Jason McNamara
Inter: Mitchell Gilbert, Clay Jenkins, Jarrod Edwards, Jayden Orr
Ballarat
B: Daniel Kennedy, James Lukich, Adam Sewell
HB: Mitchell Martin, Nigel Otto, Sam Caldow
C: Chris Thornton, Thomas Stapleton, Matt Dawson
HF: Luke Brennan, Christopher Prockter, Shane Hutchinson
F: Ashley Baker, Rex Hickman, Tristan May
R: Samuel Conroy, Liam Youl, Lachlan Cassidy
Inter: Myles Sewell, Nicholas O'Farrell, Nicholas Garner, William McGregor
RESERVES FOOTBALL
It's the Lions' day.
Redan wins the reserves premiership
Redan 10.20 (70) d Bacchus Marsh 7.8 (50)
Best player award: Tom Wardell (Bacchus Marsh)
NO CHANGES EXPECTED
Pat Nolan reports early indications are the North Ballarat City and Ballarat teams will be as selected for the BFL senior grand final.
RESERVES FOOTBALL - THREE QUARTER TIME
Redan loses then lead then regains it to be eight points.
Redan 7.8 (50) v Bacchus Marsh 6.6 (42)
B GRADE NETBALL
Lakers make it two netball premierships for the day.
Lake Wendouree 33 d Bacchus Marsh 26
Best on court: Steff Maher
RESERVES FOOTBALL - HALF-TIME
Redan holding sway, but not by much
Redan 5.6 (36) v Bacchus Marsh 4.4 (28)
RESERVES FOOTBALL - QUARTER TIME
Redan has the edge early.
Redan 2.5 (17) v Bacchus Marsh 1.0 (6)
FORMER Fitzroy and Adelaide coach Robert Shaw riveting grand final brunch speech on ups and downs of coaching.
When asked what he would ask James Hird on Essendon if he had the chance, Shaw says he would just ask WHY?
BALLARAT president Shane Manley at the brunch: "(Luke) Brennan and (Chris) Thornton are 100 per cent. They both put their hand up to play last week but we resisted."
NORTH Ballarat City senior coach Robbie Waters tells brunch: "We're a player driven organisation. It's a big day for the club."
C GRADE NETBALL
Lake Wendouree is in celebration mode after taking out the grand final against Melton.
Hasn't been a great start to the day for Bloods. They'll be hoping for a change of luck later.
Lake Wendouree 27 d Melton 23
UNDER-18.5 FOOTBALL
North Ballarat is the premier in a thriller - edging out a shattered East Ballarat by five points.
North Ballarat 10.9 (69) d East Point 9.10 (64)
UNDER-18.5 FOOTBALL - THREE QUARTER TIME
North Ballarat City leads at a break for the first time, but we're in for a grandstand last term.
North Ballarat City 7.5 (47) d East Point 6.8 (44)
GRAND final breakfast is up and running.
Melton A grade netball Mel McCauley has told the gathering the grand final against Sunbury will be a good hard fight, with mid-court a strength of each team.
Sunbury coach Kim Bailey says support from senior footy coach Horwood and the boys has been great in grand final lead-up.
Bailey says the decision not to train eased load on VNL and ANL players. A strategic move.
UNDER-18.5 FOOTBALL - HALF-TIME
East Point continue to lead - just
East Point 4.4 (28) v North Ballarat City 3.4 (22)
19/UNDER NETBALL UPDATE
Redan claims the first premiership of the day
Redan 32 d Melton 23
UNDER-18.5 FOOTBALL - QUARTER TIME
East Point making the early running - up by seven points at first break.
East Point 2.2 (14) v North Ballarat City 1.1 (7)
HERE is the day's schedule:
FOOTBALL
Seniors: North Ballarat City v Ballarat – 2:30pm
Reserves: Bacchus Marsh v Redan – 11:20am
Under-18.5 North Ballarat City v East Point – 9:20am
NETBALL
A grade: Sunbury v Melton – 2:15pm
A reserve: East Point v Sunbury – 12:45pm
B grade: Lake Wendouree v Bacchus Marsh – 11:30am
C grade: Melton v Lake Wendouree – 10:15am
19/under: Redan v Melton – 9am