Ballarat FL: Redan ends North Ballarat’s domination

September specialists Redan bought finals magic early to the Ballarat Football League on Saturday.

North Ballarat City’s all-conquering home-and-away season counted for nothing as Redan handed out a 41-point defeat, 11.12 (78) to 5.7 (37).

The win means Redan will reaccquaint with arch-rival Sunbury
Lions in this weekend’s second semi-final after Sunbury eliminated
Ballarat by 18 points on Saturday. Simon Clarke’s five goals spearheaded
the 17.19 (121) to 16.7 (103) result.

Redan will play Sunbury at Eastern Oval on Saturday.

In BFL reserves, Bacchus Marsh’s season ended on Saturday but Melton lives to fight another day.

The Cobras lost 11.13 (79) to 10.12 (72) against East Point on
Saturday in the first elimination final, but Melton stayed alive with a
15.10 (100) to 8.8 (56) win against North Ballarat City. Ash Webbers’
four goals and three for Tristan Batten put Melton in a winning position
as the Bloods booted 10 goals to North City’s four after half-time.

Darley lost 11.10 (76) to 6.7 (43) against Redan in the qualifying
final and will play East Point in the first semi-final on Sunday.
Melton will play Redan in the second semi on Saturday. In under-18.5s,
Melton South’s one remaining team in football or netball advanced with a
win against Sunbury, but Bacchus Marsh’s hopes of a grand final ended
at the hands of Ballarat. The Swans won 11.14 (80) to 10.7 (67) against
the Cobras, while Melton South’s 9.14 (68) to 5.9 (39) win against
Sunbury sets up a second semi-final for the Panthers against North
Ballarat City.

Ryan Holzer kicked three goals for Melton South while Cody Ogston and Daniel Vasjuta were better Panthers players.

– with Pat Nolan, Ballarat Courier