A 14-goal second half helped lift North Ballarat City to the Ballarat Football League premiership on Saturday.
City proved too good for its cross-town rival Ballarat, winning 20.17 (137) to 11.12 (78).
After losing just one match during the home-and-away season, City went into the biggest game of the year in brilliant form.
Not everything went to plan as the Swans made a convincing start, booting four second-quarter goals to take an 11-point lead into half-time.
But as they’ve done all year, City players responded to the challenge in fine style. Jarrod Edwards, Marcus Darmody and Ryan Hobbs started to impose themselves around the ground, while Shaun Lyle and Derick Micallef did the damage up forward.
As the goals began to flow at one end, the clamps were imposed at the other. North Ballarat conceded one goal in the third term and two in the final quarter.
In other grand final results, Redan claimed the reserves premiership with a 19-point win against Bacchus Marsh.
Although the Lions led at the end of every quarter, the match was evenly fought, with the Cobras trailing by just eight points at half- and three-quarter time. The Lions booted three final- quarter goals to seal the 10.10 (70) to 7.9 (51) win.
Ethan Tibbles was the only multiple goal scorer for the Cobras, finishing with two majors.
North Ballarat City made it a day to remember with a thrilling five-point win against East Point in the under-18s.
After taking a three-point lead into the final term, City booted three goals to secure a 10.9 (69) to 9.10 (64) victory.
