NEVER has the term ‘premiership quarter’ rung as true.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
North Ballarat City overcame a slow first half to finish strongly and seize back-to-back premiership glory in the Ballarat Football League on Saturday, smashing Ballarat by 53 points.
The third term is often known as the premiership quarter and not surprisingly, it was that very quarter that proved the difference at Eastern Oval.
North City trailed by 11 points at the main break, but kicked seven goals to one in the third quarter to set up a 29-point lead at the final change.
The last quarter soon turned into a party for the Northies, slamming on a further seven goals to run out massive winners, 20.17 (137) to 11.12 (78).
Earlier in the match, Ballarat came out with genuine intent and for most of the first half looked more than capable of producing a major upset.
After a frenetic start in which neither side could trouble the scorers, North City jumped out of the gun with goals off the boots of Derick Micallef and Marcus Darmody.
Showing genuine composure however, Ballarat worked its way back into the contest to trail by just five points at quarter-time.
Playing with more numbers around the ball, it was the Swans’ midfielders who were doing the most damage, mainly Myles and Adam Sewell, Tom Stapleton and ruckman Sam Caldow.
For North, Darmody hit the scoreboard with three first-quarter goals, while Jarrod Edwards and Jason McNamara were proficient in the midfield.
The second quarter belonged to Ballarat, with the lead changing hands five times before the term was out.
Adam Sewell, Will McGregor, Luke Brennan and Ash Baker all kicked majors, although Myles Sewell hit the post late in the quarter from a shot that would have put his side 17 points in front.
In what could potentially have been a controversial moment, North City’s Marc Greig kicked a behind seemingly after the half-time siren sounded.
Greig was awarded the point but it made little difference in the end.
From that point onwards, it was all one-way traffic in North City’s favour.
They kicked 14 goals to four in the second half, showing why they were hot premiership favourites all year.
Shaun Lyle finished with five goals (including four in the last quarter), with Micallef and Darmody adding four apiece.
Ryan Hobbs was unstoppable in defence, Edwards was dominant in the midfield and Darmody had a massive impact in front of the goals and further up the ground.
At one stage North City kicked 12 out of 13 goals in the second half as they tore the game away from the Swans.
Ballarat coach Ash Baker was badly injured in a strong collision with Micallef half-way through the third quarter. Baker lay motionless in the middle of Eastern Oval for about a minute before being helped off the ground, using his jumper to support his injured arm.
He did not come back on the field but continued to coach from the boundary line.
The Swans’ frustration started to show late in the game as scuffles broke out across the ground, but North City had the last laugh, becoming the BFL’s first back-to-back premiers since Redan in 2006 and 2007.
Edwards was awarded the AFL Victoria best player award, while Ryan Luke received the Roy Edward Memorial Trophy.
patrick.nolan@fairfaxmedia.com.au