The Sunbury Lions will have to regroup to keep its premierships hopes alive after Darley ran over the top in the Ballarat Football League semi final.
Just one point separated the two sides heading into the final quarter.
The minor premiers had the breeze in the final quarter and made the most of it as they kicked seven goals to one in the final quarter.
That quarter was enough to seal a 15.10 (100)-9.8 (62) win and the first spot in the grand final.
Lions coach Matt White was frustrated that they couldn’t make the most of their opportunities when they had them.
“In the second quarter they were able to convert their shots,” he said. “They had two or three where they were in the centre square and they kicked it.
“We didn’t do that in the first quarter [when we had the wind] and that was the game from there.
“In the second quarter we had six shots and we kicked some points and three on the full and that got the boys a bit down.
“We then couldn’t get going in the third quarter.”
While still in the game at three quarter time, White said they knew they needed everything to go right in the final quarter if they were to get the win.
The Devils had the scoring end in the final quarter.
“We couldn’t find the footy in the last quarter,” he said.
White said with the game over with 10 minutes to go they rested a few players and it allowed the score to blow out.
Skipper Tyson Lever came off with a foot complaint, but White said they didn’t expect that to be anything serious.
He said there were a number of other sore boys, but no reason for concern.
In a pleasing sign Myles Gollant got through the game unscathed in his return.
Patrick Scanlon kicked three goals for the Lions, while Daniel Johnston kicked two goals.
Jordan Tentonello, Fraser Ampulski and Scanlon were named their best.
White said they would recover, review and then start looking ahead to the preliminary final against Melton.
It wasn’t all bad news for the Lions footballers with the reserves winning through to a grand final.
The side had an interesting week when their opponent North Ballarat was kicked out of the finals.
After losing its appeal, North Ballarat was replaced by Sebastopol.
White said it was exciting for the group.
“It was an important win against a Sebastopol side that had already done mad Monday.
“Webby [Nathan Webb] came up with a plan to win the game and they went out and executed it.
“It’s unreal for the boys.”
Tara Murray
