GFL Interleague Wrap: Courtesy of the Geelong Advertiser

AN opening quarter no-show from the Geelong Football League on Saturday cost the representative side a chance to play for bragging rights as country Victoria's top league next year.

Geelong was simply blown out of the water early by a more ferocious and precise Ballarat Football League side at Ballarat's Eastern Oval, which slammed on seven opening term goals to take a 35-point lead into the first break.

From that point Geelong had the ascendancy for the majority of the game, but its inability to convert on-field dominance into scoreboard pressure eventually proved telling.

Ballarat managed to stave off the tenacious visitors in the end to win 13.12 (90) to 10.18 (78).

To add insult to injury - or injury to insult in this case - Lara coach Ben Harris was rushed to hospital in the second quarter with a broken arm after colliding heavily with Ballarat's Sam Giblett and will miss up to six weeks.

GFL coach Terry Bright said he was bitterly disappointed with the end result and admitted the lethargic first quarter and final term inaccuracy cost his side the match.

"We really fumbled and bumbled in the first quarter and didn't take our chances," Bright said after the match.

"And you look at the last quarter we kicked one goal eight (behinds), whereas if we'd kicked eight goals one (behind) we would have won easily. At the end of the day they were just too good for us."

Bell Park midfielder Nick Batchelor won best-on-ground honours for Geelong and was prolific in the second half.

St Joseph's utility Luke Forbes hovered ominously across half-forward and, although he booted three goals, will undoubtedly be left ruing missed chances.

Bright refused to make excuses for his side's loss, despite missing some key position players, including Corey Bauer and Clinton Wells.

The loss means the GFL has blown a chance to take on the Goulburn Valley league next year for the state's number one ranking.

The GVFL beat Ovens & Murray on Saturday.

Bright said the loss would hurt everyone associated with the league.

"There was huge importance on this match," he said.

"We've always talked about how the GFL is such a strong league and we're proud of that. I'm sure if any of these guys play representative footy again, they'll be better for it."

Final Scores:

Ballarat FL 13.12 (90)

def

Geelong FL 10.18 (78)

Ballarat FL

Goal Kickers: S. Harkin 3, R. Knowles 2, W. McGregor 2, D. Jordan 2, D. Ross-Smith , B. Taylor , J. McNamara , I. Smith
Best Players: W. McGregor, B. Chambers, J. Edwards, D. Weymouth, R. Waight, D. Jordan

Geelong FL

Goal Kickers: L. Forbes 3, T. Woodmason 2, M. Buchanan 2, B. Armstrong , D. Clarke , J. Graham
Best Players: A. McLean, M. Buchanan, D. Clarke, B. Armstrong, T. Woodmason, J. Larcombe