Sebastopol worked its way back after almost losing touch with Melton early to progress into its first Ballarat Football League grand final in 19 years at the City Oval on Saturday.
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The Burra overcame a 22-point deficit in the first quarter to claim the preliminary final - 12.12 (84) to 10.6 (66).
Sebastopol now prepares to face reigning East Point in Saturday's grand final - a side which has had the better of it three times this season, including the qualifying final.
It was not until Sam Jenkins kicked his second goal of the quarter to give the Burra 12-point lead on 22 minutes in the last term that the see-sawing match - the lead changed five times in the third quarter - looked it might be out of Melton's reach.
As they had in their previous two finals, the Bloods began the strongest in the last quarter to get two quick goals after Sebastopol mistakes to take a one-point lead with all the running.
And having been the cleaner ball-user and the more polished all day, the game looked there for the taking by the Bloods. It was not to be though.
Sebastopol assistant coach Tony Lockyer said reaching a grand final two years into a rebuild was incredible.
"It's huge for the club. You just look at the hundreds of people here who are so emotional. The club has been constantly down for so long. These scenes, that's what its all about," he said.
Lockyer believed the Burra's first half was "pretty poor" - even though Melton led by only three points.
"To the boys' credit we just kept grinding away and there were a few super efforts, like Luke Kiel, who has been crook as a dog. He basically ran his guts out so that was a pleasing factor."
Melton coach Aaron Tymms reflected on the season.
While obviously disappointed, Tymms said when he took on the coaching job last year the main objective was to get the club into a strong position. "I think we are making huge inroads here. The lads are improving out of sight."
Melton had its chances after jumping out of the blocks with three of the first four goals,
Two late goals for Sebastopol reduced the damage and margin to 10 points and from there it was survival of the fittest. with sheer grit and determination the key to the Burra win.
The game had everything, from lead changes to big moments, to missed spectacular marks to even dubious umpiring decisions - everything you would expect in a preliminary final with everything on the line.
The Bloods were cleaner with the football, more dangerous in transition with superior outside runners and aways looked capable to taking a grip on the game in its bid for second consecutuive grand final appearance.
And it was these factors that enabled Melton to kick the opening two goals of the last term - one after a 50m penalty - in seven minutes to wrest back the lead.
It was then that Sam Jenkins stepped up.
He found himself on the end of an agressive run and handball, and then marked to kick two goals which would end Melton's challenge.
Hugo Papst had a big game beside Lockyer in defence - particularly early when Melton was on the charge.
And up forward, Toby Hutt played the game of his life with an impressive aerial display.
Liam Carter (3 goials) was a constant headache for Sebastopol in attack for Melton, with his body work in marking duels and always looked a chance of putting the Bloods in the box seat.
Mark Orr, who started in the ruck was also a tower of strength as the likes of Connor Griffiths, Anthony Hibbert and Jack Walker gave Melton the better of clearances.
PRELIMINARY FINAL
DETAILS
SEBASTOPOL
3.4 5.8 9.11 12.12 (84)
MELTON
5.2 6.5 8.6 10.6 (66)
GOALS - Sebastopol: G. Lovett 4, M. Austin 2, S. Jenkins 2, L. Cassidy, M. Powell, T. Thoolen, J. Wilkinson. Melton: L. Carter 3, B. Kight 2, B. Archard 2, M. Orr, L. Walker, D. Stevens
BEST - Sebastopol: T. Lockyer, T. Thoolen, G. Lovett, H. Papst, D. Widgery, T. Hutt. Melton: C. Griffiths, L. Carter, A. Hibbert, R. Carter, M. Orr, J. Walker
RESERVES
East Point 6.2 10.5 12.6 17.7 (109)
Redan 0.1 2.2 2.6 2.9 (21)
GOALS - East Point: J. Dodd 4, R. Monument 3, N. Canny 2, B. Fitzpatrick 2, C. Banwell 2, J. Taylor 1, S. Tung 1, I. Quick 1, C. Quinlan 1. Redan: T. Robertson 1, M. Ward 1
BEST - East Point: A. Maconachie, J. Dodd, J. Taylor, J. Learmonth, R. Walsh, L. Thornton. Redan: R. Petrascu, T. Douglass, M. Ward, S. Carr, X. Curran, L. Withers
UNDER-19
REDAN 5.6 5.6 10.9 14.10 (94)
SUNBURY: 8.3 8.3 9.4 11.4 (70)
GOALS - Redan: D. Coolwell 6, E. Kelly 2, D. Murphy 2, K. Councillor, H. Twaits, J. Jones, R. Thiesz. Sunbury: L. Goater 5, I. Smithwick 2, N. Doyle 2, J. Cree, M. Boyd
BEST - Redan: E. Kelly, D. Coolwell, R. Thiesz, M. Judd, R. Jerera, L. Phillips. Sunbury: J. Cree, I. Smithwick, N. Doyle, L. Goater, C. Lever, J. Muir
GRAND FINAL MATCH-UPS
at Mars Stadium
on Saturday
SENIIORS: East Point v Sebastopol
RESERVES: Sunbury v East Point
UNDER-19: North Ballarat City v Redan
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