Tara Murray
There were celebrations aplenty as the Sunbury Lions came from behind to claim the Ballarat Netball League premiership on Saturday.
The Lions had to win the hard way against Darley, after looking down and out in the third quarter.
Sunbury used its fighting spirit to hit the front in the last quarter and stay there on the way to a 44-41 win.
Lions coach Kim Bailey said she thought her side was gone and that the Devils were headed towards the premiership. The Devils had been hoping it would be third time lucky having lost the past two years.
Each match between the sides this season has been close.
“In the third quarter, I said to Red [Lindsay Jones] that we’re in a bit of trouble,” Bailey said. “They were able to dig deep in the last quarter.
“I just said to them that they want to enjoy the season ending on a high. They had to do the basics well and they stuck to the game plan.
“They were ready to run through brick walls.”
The Lions had to move their midcourt match ups around heading into the game.
Bailey said they were concerned about Tayla Honey and her ability to play a whole game. It meant Honey had to start in wing defence, while Sally McLean Medallist Simona Di Filippo moved into centre and Sarah Croft into wing attack.
“It had become a real issue as we didn’t think she could play a full game in centre,” she said Honey, who had returned late in the season from a serious leg injury.
“It was a bit of a precaution with her and we’ve protected her the last few weeks. We spoke about it and what we needed to do.
“She has to be able to walk as well. We knew we could get a half from her in centre and she was able to do that.”
As well as Honey struggling with her leg, Rebecca Hicks had been in bed sick all week while Tara O’Grady dislocated her finger on Tuesday night.
The Lions led by one at quarter time before trailing by three goals at both half and three quarter time.
Within the first five minutes of the final quarter the Lions had hit the lead.
Bailey said the group was able to stay focused and block out the crowd noise.
“They played with patience,” she said. “They stuck to the game plan.
“The last couple of weeks we had been in similar situations. I knew once we were in front that we could continue that mentality and get the job done.”
Hicks was awarded the best on court medal. She finished with 33 goals, including a perfect 15 from 15 in the final quarter.
Bailey said Hicks, who was playing against her old side, had performed when they needed her. She was also strong in the semi final between the two teams.
Bailey said she had never seen celebrations like that before after a netball grand final.
It was a big day for the Lions with their B-grade side also getting up, winning 41-36 against Redan.
Emily Conn was named best on court.
Bailey said they are such a great team.
“They are such great club girls,” she said. “Most could look to step into an A-grade team.
“They deserved it. Casey [Le Gros] came off with a knee injury and it challenged us a little bit but everyone stepped up.”
Bailey said one of the exciting things was that most of the A-grade side were under the age of 25 and all the B-grade side were.
The D-grade and E-grade sides both lost their grand finals as for Lions netball teams were in action.
The A-grade win caps off a big two years for the program after not having an A-grade side in 2022.
Bailey said a lot of hard work had gone into getting the club back to where it was.
“It’s not just me, but the girls and the buy-in,” she said. “Getting the right coaches around and I couldn’t do it without Red’s help.
“It’s amazing, it’s not just one person.”
In the reserves football, the Lions lost to East Point, 7.7 (49)-5.11 (41).
