Tara Murray
The Sunbury Lions remain undefeated after an impressive win against North Ballarat on Saturday in the Ballarat Football League.
The Lions hosted the Roosters in their biggest challenge of the season so far and they passed it with flying colours.
Coming off the bye, the Lions jumped out of the blocks and kept the Roosters goal less in the first quarter before extending the lead to 22 points at half time.
It was the third quarter that broke open the game with the Lions kicking nine goals to none to lead by 77 points at the break.
The Lions finished the game off well to record a, 17.9 (111)-3.12 (30) win.
Lions coach Matt White was thrilled with the performance.
“It was a very nice win and we’ve had a good start to the year,” he said. “We were able to put North away which was fantastic.
“The midfield battle was key. They are a good stoppage group and we wanted to stop them and then beat them on the outside.
“We were able to do that and dictate what we wanted to.”
White said Josh Guthrie led the way in the middle with Jake Egan continuing his improvement this season and Brock Landt starting to have an impact having joined the club in the off season.
While they were missing Ben Cameron with Victorian Football League commitments, it was next man up for the Lions.
“For Tommy Werner to do what he did in the midfield,” White said. “He’s been stiff to miss out the first four games.
“He was impressive. We keep having headaches when it comes to selection, we have 35-36 players to choose from every week.
“We’re not looking for super stardom, we want that effort. The work the reserves boys are doing is scaring some of the senior boys.”
Mitch Mclean and Jake Sutton kicked five goals each for the Lions.
Fraser Ampulski, Mclean and Werner were named the Lions best.
White, in his first season as coach, said the boys have done everything he’s asked for them so far.
“We preach about doing the big things right,” he said. “The tackling, the pressure and I can’t fault the boys for that.
“Other areas you will get wrong and that’s OK. You get the pressure right and know that results are likely to go our way.”
After five rounds the Lions sit second, one of two teams undefeated.
The tests continue this week, with the Lions facing reigning premiers Darley.
“I want to win every game,” White said. “I’m not trying to sound arrogant, I’m just a competitive so and so and want to win everything and we’ve done it for four rounds now.
“We knocked off North Ballarat which is a tick and now firmly focused on North Ballarat. They’re playing some good footy.
“We’ll do some digging and see how we can beat them.”
