Tara Murray
Injuries and unavailability is leaving the Sunbury Lions to move the pieces around, but they still got another win on the board on Saturday in the Ballarat Netball League.
The Lions sit atop the ladder after four rounds, one of two undefeated teams, at this point of the season.
While on Saturday, they had a massive 98-27 win against Bacchus Marsh, the Lions depth in their squad was tested.
Lions coach Kim Bailey said anytime you score that many goals you will be happy.
“We were a bit slow in the first quarter which was disappointing as we want to jump out quickly,” she said.
“The last three quarters were really great. The combination between Tara [O’Grady] and Bec [Hicks] is really starting to flourish and their work rate is there and they’ve got the confidence to let the ball go.
Hicks shot a massive 68 goals in the win.
The Lions line up was different from what their squad they had put together at the start of the season.
Three of their usual side were missing and Bailey said they would be without them for a number of weeks.
“Eliza Gollant has done her meniscus and will be maybe another three weeks away,” she said.
“Tayla Honey is eight to six weeks away. We don’t know the extent of her injury and Lani Fauonuku is unavailable until after the under-17 Australian camp.”
On Saturday Casey Le Gros and Lauren Gilcrist came up and played handy roles. Mackenzie Wood made her A-grade debut earlier in the season, while Bailey said Emily Conn is ready to step up as a defender if they need.
“We’re starting to get some good depth at the club, it’s exciting to see,” she said. “Loz we’re using her as a floater as her daughter plays in the Calder Cannons. She’ll play some A-grade, B-grade and C-grade.
“Mackenzie came up and was amazing and Casey was yesterday [Saturday]. Liv Taylor, who played for us last year, will come back next week and help out until Eliza or Taylor are back.”
That depth will come in handy with the Lions expecting to be missing five of their top side for one game.
While the Lions are sitting on top, Bailey knows that the big tests are ahead.
“We have North Ballarat and Darley,” she said. “It’s a hard run ahead.
“We’ll have a good look and see where our depth is and where we are sitting. We’re confident we will have some good games against them.
“We just need to make sure we make finals and go from there.”
In the football, the Sunbury Lions made it two in a row, beating Bacchus Marsh.
After an even first quarter, the Lions kicked away and were able to come away with a 17.12 (114)-8.13 (61) win.
Jake Sutton kicked our goals while Jake Egan and Mitch Mclean kicked three each. Egan and Fraser Ampulski were named the Lions best.
