Calder Cannons started well with the opening two goals before Rebels kicked the next three to hit the front before Cannons’ Karl Brown kicked his first to make it a two-point ball game.

North Ballarat responded in great style, kicking three goals after the 22-minute mark to open up a 24-point half-time lead. A buffer that proved to big a gulf for the visitors - Rebels going on to win 13.14 (92) to 8.9 (57).

Coach Gerard FitzGerald was pleased with the side’s ability to respond to multiple Cannons’ challenges.

“To win today, when challenge is a good sign for the culture within the group.” FitzGerald said. “We had gone into a style of play which had no value to us at all in the second quarter, long bombs. The moment we went back to trying to get marks forward of centre, that led to some better flow of ball and then those late goals.”