Bacchus Marsh rejoins fierce battle for Ballarat Football League top six

After three losses, Bacchus Marsh launched back into Ballarat Football League finals contention with a road win over Sebastopol.

The race for Ballarat Football League finals is heating up and Bacchus Marsh are back in the hunt.

After three losses, the Cobras bounced back in style on Saturday, taking down Sebastopol by 22 points at Marty Busch Reserve.

The 10.7 (67) to 6.9 (45) result sees the club rejoin the top-six battle, equal on 20 points with four teams but sitting seventh on percentage.

Just eight point separates East Point in second from Redan in eighth.

Bacchus Marsh coach Tom German was rapt to come away with four points from a trip north.

Rex Hickman in action for Bacchus Marsh. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

“They’ve been in good form Sebas, so we knew it was going to be a challenge, but we’ve had some good results up in Ballarat, which is a nice change,” he said.

“It’s only a 40 minute drive from Bacchus Marsh but it’s seemed to be a bit of a mental block for the last four or five years.

“It’s such an even competition, the Ballarat league, so you’ve got to take your opportunities when they’re there.

“Even against Sunbury, they haven’t had the best record this year, but they’re still a quality side and if you’re not switched on you can get rolled.”

Kicking with the breeze, Bacchus Marsh jumped out to a 26-point lead at quarter-time and held a 13-point buffer at the half.

However, Sebastopol looked to have taken control of the game with the first two goals of the third quarter, against the wind, to hit the front before the Cobras kicked into gear.

The visitors took a 12-point lead into the final change and held the Burras to just one major in the final term while adding three of their own.

Ryley Stuhldreier was the Cobras’ best in victory, patrolling the wing and delivering inside 50m with precision.

In his 50th match, skipper Jake Owen shone in attack, while evergreen ruckman Daniel Burton continued his dominant season and Tyler Huynh booted three goals.

German said it was a good feeling when the gameplan comes together.

“They started really well in the third quarter and hit the lead against the wind but our blokes just dug in and structured up well and managed to take our opportunities when they were there.

“It was that kind of game, they’re a pressure side Sebas and move it really well, so we were able to shut that down and use our run-and-carry really well.

“I’ve used Ryley in a different role this year, he’s playing out on the wing.

“He’s running into a bit of fitness after having some niggles during pre-season and he uses the ball really well out there and we’ve got Michael Culliver on the other wing.

“That’s something we lacked last year, outside run, but we’re utilizing these guys out there really well this season.”

Jack Bambury was Sebastopol’s best in defeat, while Tony Lockyer, Hugo Papst and Matt Austin also stood tall.

Bacchus Marsh will welcome last-placed Lake Wendouree to Maddingley Park on Saturday looking to make it three wins on the trot.

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After battling illness and injury in the first half of the season, German was pleased with how his side was shaping up.

The Cobras have blooded the likes of under-17s Jack Kovacevic, Josh Huxtable and Joel Freeman this season to add some quality youth alongside the likes of Burton, Owen and Daniel Velden.

“They’ve been holding their own and haven’t looked out of place at all, which is pleasing,” German said.

“It’s good to have youth coming through, we’ve got a good mix of old and young in our side.”