The Roos fought back from an early 25-point deficit and then resisted a brave challenge by an undermanned Sebastopol in the qualifying final at the Eastern Oval on Saturday.

While East Point lived up to its marginal favouritism, Redan returned to its best to upset Darley by a commanding 58 points in an elimination final at Darley Park.

Not even a home crowd could provide any inspiration for the third-placed Devils, which were blown away by Redan.

The Lions rediscovered something like the form which took them to the top of the ladder early in the year - a far cry from the losses they suffered in the last two home and away rounds to slip to sixth position.

NEXT WEEK'S FINALS MATCH-UPS

- Sebastopol v Redan in a cut-throat first semi-final at Wendouree's CE Brown Reserve on Sunday

- East Point v winner of Sunday's elimination final between Sunbury and Melton at Darley Park in the second semi-final at the City Oval on Saturday

Jordan Johnston led the East Point revival after Sebastopol brushed away any suggestion of nerves with the opening four goals of the day in the first 15 minutes.

Given a midfield role, Johnston breathed live into the Roos in the second quarter with an explosive display featuring some dazzling turns of speed.

At the same time Johnston was giving East Point some momentum, Sebastopol suffered two shattering setbacks in the space of five minutes with the loss of bustling onballer Luke Kiel and key forward Michael Powell for the day.

Kiel was concussed and Powell suffered what appears to be ligament damage to his right ankle when landed awkwardedly.

There were also fears he might have fractured the ankle, but the exact damage is still to be determined.

He was still at the ground at the end of the match on crutches and with the leg in a moonboot.

East Point took the lead for the first time 90 seconds into the third quarter.

However, it took the Roos until well into time-on in the last term to shake off Sebastopol.

REDAN took the elimination final out of Darley's grasp in the first half to lead by 41 points and did not look back as it delivered the Devils their first defeat of the season at home.

SATURDAY'S two finals attracted a combined record attendance for the first day of a BFL finals series in the past 20 years.

SATURDAY'S DETAILS

Redan 4.4, 9.12, 11.16, 18.16 (124)

Darley 2.3, 3.7, 5.12, 8.18 (66)

GOALS - Redan: Grant Bell 4, Lachlan McLean 3, Orren Stephenson 2, Dean Chester 2, Cooper Craig-Peters 2, Angus Cleary 2, Cooper Atchison 2, Blake Thomson 1. Darley: Brian Graham 2, Jake Edwards 2, Leigh Spiteri 1, Mark Hanson 1, Blake Colley 1, Jake Ancrum 1

BEST - Redan: Dean Mathews, Liam Hoy, Jacob Short, Keenan Waterbury, Orren Stephenson, Alexander Harvey. Darley: Shane Page, Jake Edwards, Luther Baker, Corey Cullen, Leigh Spiteri, Brian Graham

East Point 2.3, 5.6, 12.8, 14.13 (97)

Sebastopol 5.2, 6.4, 10.7, 11.11 (77)

GOALS - East Point: Jacob Brown 4, Drew Murphy 2, Bryson McDougall 2, Jake McQueen 2, Aden Nestor 1, Mitchell Walsh 1, Daniel Semmens 1, Brad Whittaker 1. Sebastopol: Matt Austin 4, Lachlan Cassidy 2, Brett Goodes 2, Michael Powell 1, Geoffrey Lovett 1, Tobias Thoolen 1

BEST - East Point: Jordan Johnston, Jacob Brown, Billy Jones, Matthew Johnston, Dallas Martin, Mickitja Rotumah-Onus. Sebastopol: Daniel Widgery, Brett Goodes, Tobias Thoolen, Matt Austin, Hugo Papst, Lachlan Cassidy