North Ballarat City has recorded a comfortable 47-point victory on Saturday night at Eureka Stadium, but not before a scare.
Sebastopol led the highly fancied Northies at half-time through a combination of accurate goalkicking and gutsy play.
North City was too tall and too strong in the second half, though, to win 17.17 (119) to 11.6 (72).
Earlier Redan won a thriller at City Oval, defeating Ballarat by three points.
The Lions piled on six consecutive goals in the final term to overcome a three goal deficit and then break away to a four goal lead.
But the Swans found another gear as well, to close to within less than a kick with two minutes remaining. Redan then grimly held on to record a 16.11 (107) to 15.14 (104) victory as Ballarat wasted opportunities in front of goal in the dying minutes of the match.
Ballarat held a 19-point lead at the final change and had the better of the match for the first three quarters. The two teams were then goal for goal for the first 10 minutes of the final quarter.
Jarrod Edwards was outstanding for the victors.
In other matches, Melton provided the early upset bursting Darley's bubble at Darley 14.9 (93) to 8.16 (64), while Bacchus Marsh enjoyed a gritty yet groundbreaking victory over Lake Wendouree at Wendouree Reserve, 10.7 (67) to 7.6 (48) .