By Tara Murray
It’s not often that you kick only two goals and still come away with the win, but it was the case for the Sunbury Lions in the Ballarat Football League on Saturday.
Playing in the worst conditions that coach Travis Hodgson had seen in years, the Lions just snuck home against Sebastopol, 2.12 (24)-3.5 (23).
Hodgson said they were just happy to come away with the four points.
“It was horrible,” he said. “It was coming in really heavy at times.
“I can’t think of too many games where a team that kicked two goals has won.”
Hodgson said they adapted to the conditions better early on, which allowed them to open up an eight point lead at half time.
“Any lead in those conditions was handy,” he said.
“The third quarter was our opportunity to put the game away and we kicked 1.6 to keep them close enough.
“They got a few goals early in the last quarter.”
The Burras, who didn’t kick a goal in the first three quarters, managed to level the scores with four minutes remaining in the game.
Hodgson said it was a real arm wrestle in the dying minutes.
The Lions were able to get a behind, which sealed the win.
“They had five shots at goal in the last quarter and four were from free kicks,” he said.
“Free kicks inside 50 are gold in those conditions.
“We lost a close one against East Point which was similar with scores level.
“To win a close one and balance it out was really good.”
Skipper Andrew Duhau and Lachie Bramble were the goal kickers for the Lions.
Mitch Conn, Jack Landt, Alik Magin and Lachie Bramble were named the Lions best.
Hodgson said all four had been among their best players throughout the season.
The Sunbury Lions sit in sixth spot, equal on points with the two teams above them.
They sit four points clear of seventh-placed Bacchus Marsh.
They have the bye this week. The Lions are the last team to have the bye.
Hodgson said it couldn’t come at a better time, particularly because they they were in the six and did not have to work their way into it.
“It’s not a bad thing,” he said.
“Six teams will get the points and we are one of them. After playing in those conditions, it’s not a bad thing.”
Meanwhile, the Lions A-grade netball team had a big win against Sebastopol.
The Sunbury Lions won 59-33. While the Lions dominated the scoring attempts, their accuracy was the key.
Despite tough conditions, the Lions’ three goalers all shot at 80 per cent or more.
The Lions sit second on the ladder, with one loss, heading into the bye.
