The Sunbury Lions have passed some early season tests in the Ballarat Netball League.
The reigning premiers have had their challenges in terms of availability early in the season, but it hasn’t hindered them from banking three straight wins.
Speaking before the weekend’s clash with North Ballarat, coach Kim Bailey said she was happy with how things were tracking.
“We had a really good game against Darley in the first week,” she said. “We had a four or five goal win against Redan, but had a lot of players out.
“We still made some basic errors but it was good to be pushed coming into North Ballarat. Still working with some combinations.
“We’re lucky that fitness got us over the line.”
It’s a little bit of a different line up to the Lions this season, but they have been able to keep the core together.
Bailey said this season they had 10 settled players including having added Abigail Inglis, who is working her way back in after a couple of years of Victorian Netball League.
Caitlin Hill has come in as a third goaling option with Lani Fauonuku crossing to Melton, while Georgia Hellyer steps back up from B-grade having returned from an ACL injury.
Bailey said they would look to bring some of their B-grade players up throughout the season as well.
“Chelsea Amor came up and will use her throughout the season with Caitlin Hill in the SSN reserves,” she said. “We’ll look to bring players up especially until we get Eliza Gollant back, hopefully that is only three weeks away.
“The likes of Em Conn and Macca Wood have really stepped up.”
On Saturday, the Lions got off to a flier against North Ballarat and led by eight goals at quarter time and were able to extend the margin to 20 at the final break.
They were able to finish off strongly to secure a 72-50 win.
Rebecca Hicks shot 63 goals for the Lions, shooting at 92 per cent.
The Lions also had VNL stalwart Ty Coppinger fill in and step into the defence end to help cover the loss of Gollant.
Bailey said things were looking strong across the whole club again.
“It was a good week last week [round two], it was the first time we’ve had all six wins in netball and the two footballs,” she said.
“It’s always a good feeling around the club when you get a clean sweep.”
After three rounds, the Lions are one of two undefeated teams left.
In football, the Lions also got the win against North Ballarat.
The Lions did the damage in the first half as they kicked 10.1 to just five points to lead by 55 points.
While North Ballarat won the second half, the damage had already been done with the Lions winning, 14.9 (93)-6.9 (45).
Jake Egan kicked three goals, while five other players kicked two goals each.
Egan was named their best alongside Tyson Lever and Mitch McLean.
The win moves the Lions to 2-1 ahead of a clash with Ballarat.
