City slipped into the top six in a last man standing scenario on Saturday after it defeated Melton by 23 points at MacPherson Park, and East Point and Melton South lost their final home and away assignments.

North Ballarat’s late charge to secure a final berths means the top six comprises the same teams as as last year, with it joining Lake Wendouree, Bacchus Marsh, Darley, Redan and Sunbury.

And for the second season running Lakers secured the minor premiership – replacing Bacchus Marsh on top after the reigning premier dropped only its second game of the year to Redan at the City Oval.

Sitting eighth going in Saturday, one game game adrift of East Point and Melton South, but with superior percentage, North Ballarat City had just one pathway into the finals.

It had to win and the Kangaroos and Panther lose. 

Each fell away for big losses, with Lake Wendouree demolishing East Point 67 points and Darley ditching Melton South by 63 points – disappointing ends to seasons which at various times offered so much.

Defeat was not the only downside to Melton South’s day at Melton Recreation Reserve.

Joint coach Brendan Fevola was reported 21 minutes into the third quarter and yellow carded.

He was reported for having struck Darley’s Brian Graham.

Melton South officials then had to restrain and redirect Fevola, who as he left the ground to serve his time on the bench walked into spectator area in front of the clubrooms in response to comments from onlookers.

REDAN 15.13 (103) d BACCHUS MARSH 12.8 (80)

Redan sent one final message to the Ballarat Football League before the finals series.

“Don’t count us out.”

Redan fired the last big shot of the home and away season by defeating Bacchus Marsh by 23 points at the City Oval on Saturday.

While the Lions stayed firmly in fourth position, they cost Bacchus Marsh top position and the minor premiership, and the opportunity to meet Lake Wendouree in the qualifying close to home at Darley Park.

Mitch Phelps continued to impress with seven goals.

It was in many ways a case of just getting through the game for Cobras coach Travis Hodgson, with players such as Scott Sherlock, Matt Denham, Declan Phyland and Jackson Bolton noticeable absentees.

Hodgson said he would have been lying if he stated he was incredibly distressed with the result, given that Bacchus Marsh already knew what was ahead in the first week of finals, but he stressed the importance of still showing a level of competitiveness. 

“I thought though that Redan was fantastic and I’d give it full credit,” he said .

Redan coach Brendan Peace said there were aspects of the performance which mirrored its best form. 

“It was a real four-quarter effort and there were no passengers.

“The endeavour from the group was fantastic, as well as the tackle pressure and all of those little things that really contribute to a win.” 

Redan had upper hand from the get-go, holding a commanding 21-point lead at quarter time, 23 at half-time and 28 at three quarter time. Nathan Horbury led a dominant midfield, while Grant Bell was prominent in his 100th game for the club. 

Injuries to Trent Angwin and Dean Heta did help Bacchus Marsh’s cause.

NORTH BALLARAT CITY 15.17 (107) d MELTON 13.6 (84)

North Ballarat City has completed an extraordinary season turnaround and will be part of the Ballarat Football League finals series.

City claimed the last place in the top six with a 23-point win over Melton at MacPherson Park on Saturday.

While eighth-placed North needed to win to get sixth position, it also needed East Point and Melton South to fall over.

All three parts of the jigsaw fell into place and North Ballarat made it by percentage over the Kangaroos and Panthers.

Finals appeared out of the question after a shocking start to the season by City.

After defeating Melton South in its opening game – the only other time it was in the top six for the year – North lost seven games in a row to be in all sorts of trouble.

Coach Jordyn Burke said playing finals had not probably been expected, but now that they were there North would “gives it everything it’s got”.

He said the cards had fortunately fallen their way and it was up to City to make the most of the opportunity.

City will meet third-placed Darley in an elimination final.

Burke said while six wins was not a great outcome, it had been an unusual season, which now started all over again.

“It’s doesn’t matter what’s happened up to this point. It’s a whole new season.”

Although the final margin was comfortable, the game was anything but that and Burke said he only felt safe in the last few minutes.

Melton jumped away to a bright start to lead by four goals and it was only late in the first quarter that North pegged back the margin.

Burke said the second and third quarters had laid the foundation for the season-saving victory after steading before quarter time and improving accountability.

The win did not come before one last scare though.

North Ballarat was in control when it stretched its lead to 34 points late in the third term.

However, with Gus Grigg (five goals) on fire, Melton kicked four unanswered goals to close within nine points.

It was to be the consistent Daniel Jones who helped stem the tide with two late goals.

Melton stand-in coach Michael Licciardo was encouraged by the Bloods’ effort in the first time he had taken charge of the team.

He said the performances under-16 debutants Luke Heaney and Josh Jenkins provided a bright light when looking to the future of the club.

DARLEY 21.4 (130) d MELTON SOUTH 9.13 (67)

Darley has reminded Melton South how far it still has to go before becoming a force in the Ballarat Football League.

The Devils warmed up for finals with an emphatic 63-point demolition of the Panthers at Melton Recreation Reserve on Saturday.

Leigh Spiteri was a linchpin for Darley – igniting it with the opening three goals and going on the bag seven.

Melton South started with promise, knowing a win would give it a chance of playing finals.

However, costly errors late in the first term, including a 50m penalty, gifted the ultra accurate Devils two goals and the floodgates started to open.

The Panthers continued to threaten, but they missed too many easy opportunities and were defensively found wanting through the midfield.

Darley coach Heath Scotland was satisfied with the win ahead of an elimination final against North Ballarat City.

“We’ve been building. We did what we had to do.”

Scotland said the Devils would go into the first week of finals confident.

The win might have come at cost though, with ruckman Abe Cameron dislocating his left shoulder in the second term.

Scotland said while the extent of the damage would not be known until scans were taken, Cameron might be finished for the year.

Fortunately, Darley has a readymade replacement after Abraham Kur impressed on debut on Saturday.

The high-leaping Kur has played juniors with Bacchus Marsh and spent time with Northern Blues in the AFL development league.

Brendan Fevola kicked four goals for Melton South to win the BFL goalkicking with 56 –  three more than Lucas Anderson (Lake Wendouree).

LAKE WENDOUREE 24.13 (157) d EAST POINT 13.12 (90)

Lake Wendouree helped deny East Point a hold on sixth position and finals action in the BFL at Wendouree on Saturday.

Lakers put the Kangaroos to the sword in the second half to run away by 67 points.

Lake Wendouree coach Tim Malone said as expected that with plenty to play for East Point hit the encounter hard.

He was rapt with the way Lakers responded. “We were on.” Malone said it had been ideal lead into finals.

Lucas Anderson reinforced how important he is for Lakers with seven goals.

East Point coach Jake Bridges said Lake Wendouree demonstrated why it was building towards having a real crack at winning a premiership.

He said the Kangaroos were unable to make the most of the opportunities it did have when they pushed forward.

While the loss alone was not enough to put East Point out of the top six, North Ballarat City’s win over Melton completed the damage.

SUNBURY 17.13 (115) d SEBASTOPOL 3.8 (26)

Sunbury has lost defender Dwain Sanderson for the Ballarat Football League finals series.

Sanderson suffered a broken jaw in a head clash against Sebastopol at Sunbury on Saturday.

Coach Ben Jordan confirmed Sanderson would be having surgery.

It was Sanderson’s first senior appearance since being reported in round nine in late June and suspended for four matches. 

Sunbury coasted by 89 points over Sebastopol.

Jordan said he was particularly pleased with the way younger players such as Luke Healy,  Michael Edwards, Jess Flannery and Jack Hannett had taken on more responsibility in the absence of experienced midfielders.

Sebastopol struggled to get into the game, with Sunbury having eight goals before the Burra was on the board.

While it is mothballs for Sebastopol as its long-term future is determined in the AFL Goldfields review, the Lions face Redan in an elimination final.