Wearing the red and white jumper of the former Wendouree Football Club, which combined with YCW in 1995 to formed the Lakers, they asserted their authority in the last quarter to shrug off the Lions.

Redan had every opportunity, with no shortage of possession in attack in windy and sometimes drizzly conditions.

The Lions led from late in the first quarter until five  minutes in the last.

Once in front late though and with the wind at its back Lake Wendouree tied down the match.

In a game in which stand-out players were hard to find, Ben Hayes persisted all night with Luke Bucknall, while Ben Taylor became more effective as the game wore on and Steve Clifton saved his best until late when it counted the most.

Ruckman Matt Cullinan toiled hard for Redan as he took the big man honours, but did leave the ground in the dying minutes after receiving a corked leg high on his thigh.

Dean Mathews, Callum Currie and Chris Giampaolo also had plenty of the football for the Lions.

Sebastopol was unable to deliver Brett Goodes a win on his BFL debut against Ballarat, but another ex-AFL player Cam Richardson starred as Bacchus Marsh defeated Sunbury.

North Ballarat City did enough to overcome East Point, while Melton inflicted Melton South’s second loss under lights at Melton.

All round 1 games:

North Ballarat City 13.10 (88) d East Point 10.15 (75)

Bacchus Marsh 13.12 (90) d Sunbury 10.11 (71)

Ballarat 12.16 (88) d Sebastopol 11.6 (72)

Lake Wendouree 11.13 (79) d Redan 8.6 (54)

Melton 13.4 (82) d Melton South 3.8 (26)