COULD one of the Ballarat Football League’s longest losing streaks finally come to an end?
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It has been more than 1000 days since Sebastopol last tasted senior football victory – but that could all change on Saturday.
The Burras will head into the clash against Melton South as arguable favourites to break a hoodoo that stretches back to 2012 – a total of 1078 days.
Not since the dark days of Redan in the late 1990s has a BFL side gone so long without a win.
The Lions went almost four years to the day without a win from 1995 to 1999 but have since become a powerhouse of the league.
While he did not go as far as labelling his side a dominant force of the future, Sebastopol coach Shane Snibson said a victory against Melton South was the only option.
However, he is more than aware of the weight of expectation could have on his young side.
“Internally, we expect to win on Saturday,” Snibson said. “A lot of people from outside the club expect a result as well – that’s something we haven’t had to deal with a lot in the past.
“We’ve talked a lot about that during the week and how to handle that.
“The risk is when we hear the sort of talk then we think it’s going to happen...”.
Travelling to Melton Recreation Reserve is always a daunting task and Snibson is more than aware the Panthers are thinking this is their big opportunity for what could be one of their rare wins for the year.
After all, they are also yet to taste victory this season and have been starved of success in recent times, albeit not to the same degree as Sebastopol.
Both sides have had the interleague break to harness their attention on this match alone and for the Burras, that meant putting cones at training out to exactly replicate the small expanses of Melton Recreation Reserve.
“It’s never easy going down to Melton South, but we’re fully aware of the opportunity this week,” Snibson said.
“It’s a strong motivation factor for us.”
The two sides will meet again in round 14 at Marty Busch Reserve.
patrick.nolan@fairfaxmedia.com.au