BFL: North Ballarat City win first ever premiership

That was the catch cry after North Ballarat City claimed its first ever Ballarat Football League premiership in a courageous comeback over Sunbury at Eastern Oval today.

In an enthralling match absolutely worthy of a grand final, it was North Ballarat City that booted three goals to Sunbury's nil in the last quarter to run out 14.9 (93) to 10.12 (72) winners.

North had held a one point lead at the final break, having recovered from a 27-point deficit 10 minutes into the third quarter.

But in the end it was North City that proved too ferocious, too hungry.

The black and white in fact kicked the last eight goals of the game to win by 21 points, in a match where they looked down and out in the third quarter.

Earlier in the match, it looked as though the engraver could get an early start on writing North City's name on the trophy.

They kicked the first five goals in 17 minutes, with Sunbury barely even entering their forward 50 metres.

Sunbury was shell-shocked, as was the crowd, which was undoubtedly on side with the Lions.

But as quickly as North had torn the game away, the Lions pegged it right back - and then some.

Goals to Dale Cuinik, Josh Styles, Matthew Medcraft and Ross Sleight saw the margin cut back to 10 points at quarter time.

Sunbury then picked up right where it left off in the second term, booting three goals while keeping North goalless in more of a subdued quarter.

The start of the third quarter saw the reigning premiers stamp their authority on the match and in reality, they could have almost locked it away.

They kicked the first three goals of the quarter to lead by 27 points, although it could have been more.

Simon Clarke kicked his second goal but missed another two shots, while Jay Cheep and Ross Sleight also missed chances to convert.

It was not until the 13-minute mark that Marc Greig breathed some life into North City with a 50-metre bomb.

From that point onwards it was merely a procession.

A further seven goals would go the way of the Northies, while Sunbury failed to find another major.

Ayden George was judged best on ground by the BFL and younger brother Tyler received the best on ground award by the umpires.

An elated North City coach Rob Waters said the win meant so much for a club that at one stage looked as though it might cease to exist.

"It's just amazing, it's so great for the club it's fantastic," Waters said.

"We looked gone there in the third quarter but we stuck with it and turned it around. It's great for these guys."

For Sunbury, the loss is its second grand final defeat in three years.

In fact, the Lions have lost just 10 games in three years - two of them grand finals.

"They just wanted to win it more than us," Sunbury coach Rick Horwood said.

"We could have put them away but we didn't take our opportunities, but that's football. It's a hard lesson to learn and it's a painful lesson to learn."