Sunbury Lions put into practice lessons learnt from last week to win through to the Ballarat Football League grand final.
The Lions performed poorly early against Bacchus Marsh in the second semi-final, and knew they couldn’t afford a slow start two weeks in a row.
After trailing five goals to one early on against Lake Wendouree on Saturday, the Lions corrected their game, took control and then, finally, took the lead.
They hit the front late in the second quarter, then repelled every challenge to hold that lead to take a solid 14.21 (105)–9.14 (68) win.
For Lions’ coach Rick Horwood, the win and grand final berth were rewards for players who have held strong the past couple of years.
“I’m rapt for the players and the supporters,” Horwood said. “We stuck with young kids, and were smashed in two elimination finals … we’ve now added some extra talent – it’s coming together.”
Horwood said despite trailing early, he knew the game wasn’t like the previous week.
“The players went to school during the week and learnt something. It was really pleasing they learnt from the week before.
“They kicked the first three goals, but we weren’t out of it.
“It wasn’t like the week before; this time we got our hands on the ball. It was a totally different scenario, you could tell from the opening bounce. Mistakes cost us goals, but we were up with it.”
He said the leadership group had stepped up.
“You need everyone to contribute in finals, and we had a really good contribution,” he said.
“[Mathew] Medcraft was outstanding, while [Grant] Valles, [Joe] Redfern and [Adam] Short were standouts in the back half.
“Nathan Wood was good on the wing and Tom Donoghue has put together a couple of good finals games.
“[Alik] Magin wasn’t in our best five, but he was good. He had 19 tackles and played a really good team game.”
Medcraft was the best of the goalkickers, kicking four, including three in the second quarter.
Horwood said players will have to hold onto lessons learnt in the upcoming grand final against Bacchus Marsh. The Cobras’ early onslaught won them their semi-finals’ clash.
“It’s very nice to get to the big dance … you can’t win if you’re not there,” Horwood said.
“We’re a 50-50 chance, but we’re under no illusions that we’ve got a big hill to climb and that they’re favourites.
“If we can get off to a better start and then play how we did in the second and third quarters [against the Cobras], you never know.”
The Lions will have a few selection headaches going into the grand final.
Jack Sullivan will have to overcome an ankle injury which he suffered late in the preliminary final.
Dwain Sanderson was a late withdrawal from the preliminary final after a work accident on Friday. He was replaced by Josh Guthrie.
Four players from the Lions’ last premiership team, Medcraft, Sullivan, Greg Hay and Adam Short, barring injury, will play on Saturday. An injured James Rizk will miss the grand final.
The Lions’ reserves team is out of the finals, after losing a preliminary final to East Point.
