Sunbury Lions have pulled off an upset win against Darley to take their record to 3-0 in the Ballarat Football League.
Facing the reigning premier, the Lions had to fight all day and came from 17 points down in the second half to get the win.
Grant Valles was the hero for a second straight week, kicking the sealer in the 9.9 (63)-9.8 (62) win.
Lions’ coach Ben Jordan said he was rapt with the win in a game which could have gone either way.
In the same game last season, the Devils came from behind to win by one point.
“It was a real nailbiter and we were lucky to pinch it in the end,” Jordan said.
“We were 17 points down in the last quarter and then kicked the last three goals of the game to get up.
“We hadn’t played great footy all day, but once we were behind the guys rolled the dice.
“The situation changed and it got things going a little bit.”
Jordan said Valles, who kicked two goals in the last quarter, had the belief in himself to stand up in the important moments of games.
He kicked the last two goals in the Lions’ win against Melton South the week before.
“Everyone gets tired towards the end of games and you get more isolated contests,” Jordan said. “Everyone has faith in Grant and know they can give him the ball.”
Jordan said Mitch Conn was best on ground, with his clean hands and quality ball work a standout.
He said Reece Wood and Lachlan Bramble were also strong, while the work of skipper Andrew Duhau was invaluable.
“His leadership late in the game was really important,” he said. “He stood up and put his body on the line.
“He keeps the players believing.”
Alik Magin kicked three goals for the Lions.
The win leaves the Lions one of two teams with a 3-0 record and one of three teams undefeated.
The Lions could have quite easily been 1-2 having won two close matches.
The Lions face Melton this week, before two weeks off due to interleague and the bye.
Jordan said they were hopeful of getting the win on Saturday night at Clarke Oval, to finish off the first part of the season on a good note.
Aaron Christensen could miss the Melton game having left the field against the Devils with a hamstring injury.
Jordan said he would be assessed.
Jack Sheahan, who missed Saturday’s game, won’t be back until after the bye due to a hamstring injury.
In A-grade netball, the Lions also remain undefeated, after beating the Devils 62-24.
Tara Murray
