By Tara Murray
Sunbury Lions’ strong form continued with the side claiming its sixth win in a row in the Ballarat Football League.
The form team of the competition, the Lions produced the goods in a low scoring affair against another finals hopeful, Darley.
There was just three goals scored in the first half, with the Lions leading by 10 points.
Not for the first time this season, the Lions found another gear in the second half at home.
This time they were able to run away to a 9.10 (64)-2.9 (21) win.
Lions coach Travis Hodgson praised the defensive efforts from the group.
“It was a really good win for us,” he said.
“We’ve been playing some good football and this was an acid test for us.
“Round one they kicked 13 goals against us. I’ve touched on it before, the improvement has come from that end and we’re a fair bit harder to score on.”
Hodgson said the game was played at a finals intensity early on, with neither side wanting to give an inch.
He said he thought his team probably had the better of it in the first half.
“We brought a lot of pressure and denied Darley’s uncontested marks and it was good to slow them down.
“It was an arm-wrestle in the first half and I thought we could have been further ahead.
“If we had been cleaner in the second quarter, the margin would have been bigger.”
Known for their strong second halves, the Lions were full of confidence at the break and it was reflected in their performance.
Dylan and Jack Landt, and Jack Sheahan kicked two goals each for the Lions.
It was three of the Lions’ home grown youngsters that impressed Hodgson the most.
PHOTO GALLERY: Sunbury Lions vs Darley
“Jayden Eagles was super in the ruck and Lachie Bramble hurt them on the outside with his run and carry, breaking through the lines,” he said.
“Daylan Kempster, back from a hamstring injury, was unpassable at half-back.
“Daylan and Jayden are only 22, while Bramble is only 21. They are all Sunbury juniors and it’s pleasing that we can play our own kids and they are doing so well.”
Alik Magin, who is amongst the best most weeks, was another standout.
The Lions reserves and under-19 players are also putting pressure on the top side.
The Lions sit in third on the ladder, only percentage off top. Just one game separates first and sixth.
Darley which started the weekend in second, now sits sixth.
With the closeness of the competition, Hodgson knows that every match is important.
This week the Lions face fifth-placed Melton.
“You can hurt those sides around you by getting four points,” he said.
“Sebastopol and East Point [the top two teams] play each other, so we could jump into the top two.
“It’s a massive game for us. We beat them last time, but Melton is hard to beat at Maccy [Macpherson Park].”
