By Tara Murray
Sunbury Lions pulled off an upset win against ladder leaders East Point in the Ballarat Football League on Saturday.
Having gone close to knocking them off earlier in the year, the Lions this time got the job done at home, winning 8.19 (67)-6.15 (51).
The Lions got out to a lead early on and while in front for most of the day, were never comfortable.
Lions coach Travis Hodgson said they could never discount the Kangaroos.
“It was a good win,” he said.
“Their ability to score quickly is really evident and we were never comfortable being in front.
“We were two two rotations down… The pleasing thing is that early in the season we would have found it tough, but we’ve built some resilience.
“I think we’re playing the right way and are hard to play against.”
The Lions got off to the perfect start through Jarrah Maksymow in his first senior game for the club. He kicked three goals in the first 10 minutes and finished the game with four goals.
Hodgson said he was nowhere near full fitness.
“He’s still six weeks off playing some really good football,” he said.
“He was still good enough to kick half our goals. We’re always a chance to score when he’s in the 50.”
He was one of two debutants for the Lions, with Cody Brand stepping up into the senior side.
He kicked two goals and spent time down back due to injuries.
While injuries to Dylan Featon [concussion] and Daylan Kempster [hamstring] hurt the Lions, Hodgson was happy with how the side adjusted.
Jack Sheahan spent time down back, while Jack Hannett went to Jordan Johnston after Featon went off. Johnston scored just one goal.
Mitch Conn was again named the Lions best and was unpassable on half back, while Jayden Eales played his best game of the season.
The win moves the Lions to fifth, just a game off top.
The draw opens up for the Sunbury Lions, who play the bottom two teams, Melton South and Ballarat in the next two weeks.
Hodgson said Kempster is set for a stint on the sidelines and will miss that game and likely to be out for a month. Fellow defender Grant Valles will also miss another two weeks while overseas.
Hodgson said they needed to stay focus on the task at hand.
“In our competition this year, any one get beat anyone of their day
“We have to professional and back it up against Melton South.”
