With their finals spot sealed, the Sunbury Lions are looking to tie up a top-three finish in the Ballarat Football League.
Coming off the bye, the Lions only needed one week to ensure they would maintain their record of playing finals every year they’ve been in the BFL.
For the first three quarters, the Lions could do what they wanted against winless Melton South, with the margin blowing out to triple figures by three-quarter time.
At one stage, the Lions kicked 16 goals in a row.
As in the previous game between the two teams, the Panthers were able to add some respectability to the scoreboard in the last quarter, but the Lions still recorded a massive 27.27 (189)-13.4 (82) win.
Lions coach Rick Horwood said that while the margin could have been bigger, he would take a 107-point win any day.
The win helped boost the Lions’ percentage, which could be crucial in the run home.
“It got us back from fifth back to third on the ladder,” he said.
“We led by 130 points at one stage and could have won by 150, but credit to them as they kicked 8.1 in the last quarter.”
Alik Magin put in another best-on-ground performance, but Horwood said there wasn’t a bad performer for his team.
Chris Tsardakis was important, playing his best game for the club. Josh Burgess kicked five goals as 12 players got on the scoreboard. Eight players kicked multiple goals.
The win was soured by an hand injury to Grant Valles.
Valles, who had kicked three goals, dislocated two of his knuckles and had surgery on Saturday night.
David Kovacevic was limited after tweaking an achilles, but Horwood said that was about being cautious more than anything.
With Kovacevic spending time up forward and on the bench, Adam Short spent time in the ruck, giving the Lions a third rucking option.
The Lions face North Ballarat City this weekend. A win will all but seal a top three spot going into the final round.
The Lions’ A-grade netballers are also on track for a top three finish after beating Melton South 72-17. Alex Maher scored 47 goals, while defender Rachel Dovaston was best on court.
The season is over for the Lions’ football women after they lost their Victorian Women’s Football League division 2 semi-final to Seaford.
