Creswick went into its home game against Ballan as slight underdogs.

But, 12 minutes into the last quarter and trailing by 34 points, they were despised underdogs.

In a remarkable show of faith and team unity, Ballan was reeled in with a barrage to give the Wickers a two-point win.

Hagen provided the early spark for the Wickers' first goal and was an energetic option across half forward all game.

Scown was the "general", marking brilliantly and courageously, and delivering exquisitely both forward and back.

Bensen goalled on the run on the quarter-time siren and scores were 3.3.21 apiece.

Creswick was the batter team for half the second term and moved two goals ahead with Rieniets in typically brave touch and Bensen scintillating.

Ballan added four unanswered goals to lead 9.5 to 7.5 at the half.

Two more goals to the visitors put the Wickers under pressure.

But they played a fabulous quarter to firstly halt the slide and eventually hit the scoreboard with two goals on the brink of time.

Things went awry early in the final term as Ballan slammed on 3.2 from six inside 50s to lead by 34 points before Creswick reacted.

In a masterstroke, Kerr brought a rested Weise back into the ruck and Robinson to full-forward.

Weise was instrumental in the fightback with his fierce, bullocking play, while irrepressible Simon Hepworth again dominated in the middle.

Skip Patterson was a star up forward and a trademark boomerang goal on the run brought the margin to 21.

Amazingly the tiny on-baller booted two more and it was game on at nine points down.

The strangely quiet Murray booted long for Hagen to goal from the square and then Parker blazed a trail through the middle to set up Robinson for the thrilling clincher.

Score: Creswick 15.10.100 def Ballan 14.14.98

Best: Bensen, Patterson, Hepworth, Weise, Scown, Hagen, Rieniets