The Courier |
IT was ugly, it was scrappy and at times it was difficult to watch, but to Redan, that mattered little.
In extremely windy conditions at City Oval, the Lions wore Ballarat down to run out comfortable 35-point winners.
The margin threatened to be far less flattering for the Swans late in the last quarter, before the red and white piled on three goals in the last five minutes of the match, more than they had kicked for the entire game to that point.
However the day belonged to Redan, which handled the stiff cross-ground breeze more effectively to win 10.16 (76) to Ballarat's 5.11 (41).
Redan coach Eammon Gill said it was a fierce contest, but felt his side was in control.
"I thought we controlled the ball for the majority of the day. Even when they launched attacks we repelled them pretty well," he said.
"We have to work on our efficiency when we have the ball in our area, but I think we are improving every week just a little bit, which is good at this time of year."
From the outset of the game, it was apparent the clash was not going to be easy on the eyes.
It took 19 minutes for Chris Thornton to kick the first goal of the match for Ballarat, with Redan's Grant Bell adding the first for the maroon and gold with a long-range goal just before quarter time.
Just three goals were kicked for the next two terms, all of which went Redan's way, with both sides' goal kicking and general ball movement clearly affected by the wind.
Trailing by just 24 points at the final break despite being outplayed, the Swans conceded the vital first goal of the last quarter before Daniel Kennedy dribbled one through from close range.
When Nigel Otto had a set shot to cut the margin to 17 points, it appeared Ballarat was back in the contest.
However when his shot hit the post, Redan rebounded immediately and, when Ben Schiltz snapped a goal just 20 seconds later, the match was all but over.
Brendan Peace was a clear best on ground all day for Redan, working brilliantly in the clinches and dominating contested footy.
"It just shows you don't need to be flashy and have three running bounces to be effective, doesn't it. Peacey's having another great year," Gill said.
Ballarat coach Ash Barker said he was proud of his side's effort, but admitted the four-quarter performance was still lacking.
"The tackling and the endeavour around the contested ball was good, especially in the first half," he said.
"But you have to do it for four quarters against these top sides."
Both sides have the bye next week before they launch their run home to the finals.
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