Immortality awaits, as two grand final coaches chase the fairytale farewell

There may not be any bigger names in the history of the Ballarat and Sebastopol football netball club's than Ash Baker and Tony Lockyer.

or signup to continue reading

All articles from our website & app

The digital version of Today's Paper

Come 5pm on Saturday night, one will be immortalised as the man who was destined to bring the premiership cup back home to their respective clubs.

Ash Baker and Tony Lockyer are already assured legend status at their clubs, one is about to become an immortal. Pictures by Lachlan Bence

Between the Swans and the Burra, it's a combined 69 years of football heartache.

And for the Swans, it's a chance to add their first silverware since Baker himself goaled after the siren to lead his side to victory in 2008.

Baker will step down as senior coach after the BFNL grand final, with Chris Maple and Adam Ridley coming in as co-coaches for season 2027.

Lockyer, the only playing coach in the competition, will also step aside from coaching duties come Saturday night, but will continue to play on next year.

Ash Baker will step away from coaching at the conclusion of the grand final. Picture by Lachlan Bence

Both took time out of their hectic schedules this week to speak to The Courier about what this weekend meant to them and their clubs.

"It's not that you're more nervous, but there was a chance that game a few weeks back could have been it," he said.

"This one is the last game, so while it's not closure as such, I've at least got the idea that, 'yep this is it'."

Lockyer said he hadn't given a lot of thought to this being the last time he would coach his club.

"Not really, if I'm honest with you," he said. "I've just been focused on the job at hand, preparing everyone as best I can and also focusing my own preparation for the game.

"That's really been the focus for me. I'll still be there next year, the story continues at Sebas, I haven't bought into that at all.

Tony Lockyer's days as a playing coach are coming to an end, but the Burra legend will play on in 2027. Picture by Lachlan Bence

"Ideally, It'd be great to write that extra chapter, we're in there with a chance and have that opportunity which we deserve. We know there's one more to go and we'll give it everything.

"The last couple of times it's been a kick of the footy either way, hopefully it's a different story for us this time."

Sebastopol will take an unchanged team into the grand final from the side that defeated North Ballarat last weekend.

Captain Ben Hutt has overcome his knee injury that saw him miss the first two finals, but he pulled well after the preliminary final win and is a certain starter.

The Swans have swung a big selection surprise with Lewis Rinaldi and Sam Battistella both returning to the team.

Key defender Riley Constable, who has been battling a quad complaint for a number of weeks, missed out on a spot in the team named on Thursday night.

There could also be a late shock in the Swans team with leading AFL prospect Ethan Drever named as an emergency.

Drever is seen as one of the top young talents in this year's draft pool and a potential top five pick.

Could young gun Ethan Drever force his way into the Swans line-up? Picture by Lachlan Bence

His inclusion would be a shock, but would add enormous depth to the Swans team should he play.

Baker said he had seen Sebastopol as the benchmark side this year, despite what happened in the second semi-final when Ballarat was a big winner.

"I know they weren't minor premiers, to us, Sebastopol has been up there all year," he said.

"They've beaten us twice, so we certainly understand the enormity of the task ahead of us against a team like them."

The Swans mentor said that while there was always hope, he never assumed for one moment his side would be in this position.

"No, never," he said. "Dare I say it, but it has always been just one week at a time. Then you start to win a few games, then you make finals and then you're seeing how high you can get.

"We've always said we are a work in progress. I've been really pleased with our last month of footy, I thought round 17 at home was good against Darley and into the first and second finals, we've gelled together as a team."

Lockyer himself has a slightly different take on whether he thought early in the season his club would be running out onto City Oval this week.

"We always believed we were good enough," he said. "I've believed in this group since my first year as a coach, and I think last year they started to get that belief for themselves.

"I think a few rounds in this year, they well-and-truly felt it themselves.

"I felt we could achieve anything. I know externally there weren't many out there that would have rated us, and it didn't bother us in the slightest.

"I 100 per cent didn't just want us to make a grand final, I expected to win it and now is our chance to do just that."

LADDER: Sebastopol 2nd (15-3), Ballarat 3rd (13-5)

Elimination Final: Ballarat 14.10 (94) def Melton 8.13 (61)

Second Semi Final: Ballarat 13.16 (94) def Sebastopol 5.7 (37)

Qualifying Final: Sebastopol 14.11 (95) def North Ballarat 13.13 (91)

Second Semi Final: Sebastopol 5.7 (37) def by Ballarat 13.16 (94)

Preliminary Final: Sebastopol 10.6 (66) def North Ballarat 9.8 (62)

Round 2: Sebastopol 12.20 (92) def Ballarat 11.11 (77)

Round 12: Sebastopol 16.11 (107) def Ballarat 11.10 (76)

Second Semi Final: Ballarat 13.16 (94) def Sebastopol 5.7 (37)

Patrick Graham (Ballarat) v Toby Hutt (Sebastopol)

The ruck battle will be crucial as to who can give his midfielders first use of the ball. Graham took the honours in the second semi-final as Ballarat ran amok early. The Burra must at least break even in the centre of the ground. Hutt gives his side something extra in that he is capable of going forward and kicking two or three goals if necessary.

Fraser Perkins (Ballarat) v Jack Bambury (Sebastopol)

While the big names in both sides have taken centre stage, it's these two locally grown midfield bulls that could hold the key, and one of them could have two medals around their neck come Saturday night, so important they are to their respective sides. Bambury's three goals were the key last week in the win over North Ballarat, while Perkins provides the grunt that gets his classy onballers going.

Alex Keath v Joel Edwards

One thing not lost on when these two sides met two weeks ago was how dominant Keath was down back patrolling the defence and setting up the midfield, but on that occasions Edwards was not out there. This week, Keath will have to be accountable for either Edwards or Cooper Littlehales, it won't be as easy for him to run clear. Can Edwards produce a full-forward's game to remember?

WHO WINS AND WHY?: With all due respect to the other eight clubs, the BFNL will be absolutely chuffed to have both Ballarat and Sebastopol alive on what looks to be a magical grand final day. With 22 degrees and bright sunshine predicted, it promises to be a grand final to remember. It's been 51 years since the Burra has held a trophy aloft, and for Ballarat it's been 18 years since Ash Baker's memorable kick after the siren. Clearly the key to this match is the midfield. Bambury, Medwell and Cassidy up against Perkins, Crouch and either of the Simpson lads (Thomas or Paddy). The Burra's forward end and the Swans defence look evenly matched, but if there is one part of the ground, it's at the other end. Has Sebastopol got someone who can go with the competition's leading goal kicker in Biggie Nyuon? Biggie has made a habit of kicking goals late in games and should it get tight you, just get the feeling he might unleash once last time. For this reason alone, the tip is Ballarat Swans in a thriller.

PREDICTION: Ballarat by 10 points

Be the first to know when news breaks.