Sunbury will take on Bacchus Marsh in a Ballarat Football League grand final for a second time.
The Lions denied Lake Wendouree a chance at a second premiership with a barnstorming 37-point win in the preliminary final at the Eastern Oval on Saturday – 14.21 (105) to 9.14 (68).
Bacchus Marsh has played in only two BFL grand finals, losing to North Ballarat in 1995 and going down to Sunbury in 1999.
This time the Cobras go into battle as a warm favourite after convincing finals victories over Lake Wendouree and Sunbury.
Sunbury recovered from a sluggish start at the Eastern Oval on Saturday to dominate the second half.
Lakers had by far the better start to lead by 25 points in time-on in the first term, but for second time in three finals struggled after half-time with just two goals on the back of some poor conversion.
Lively onballer Matthew Medcraft and giant ruckman David Kovacevic starred for Sunbury.
Medcraft ensure an early response to Lake Wendouree’s quick get away and then Kovacevic assumed control as Sunbury made full use of its superior height and strength.
It was a heartbreaking end for Lake Wendouree, which won its opening 10 games before taking the minor premiership two wins clear of Bacchus Marsh, with Sunbury third.
Sunbury coach Rick Horwood praised the character of his players to hit back after a slow start for the second week in a row.
“We didn’t play well early, but we didn’t lose our composure.”
He said intensity had been the main focus and the Lions had delivered.
Lake Wendouree coach Gavin Webb said nothing came easy in finals, and Sunbury had been too clean and quick.
“We’ve come a long way. It’s a bitter way to finish.
“It’s a disappointing end after a good season.
“We made errors we haven’t made all year.”
Webb said Lakers would have to evaluate themselves as a team and on an individual basis in a bid to improve further.
