Sunbury Lions played their best game of the Ballarat Football League season on Saturday against Darley, but it wasn’t enough for a win.
In a tight tussling game, it came down to the dying minutes. The Devils came from behind to seal a one-point win, 10.13 (73)-11.6 (72) at Clarke Oval.
It was a bittersweet result for Lions coach Ben Jordan.
“We had the last shot on goal but it came up short. We got no reward but there was some good signs for us going forward.”
Jordan said the team had focused on hitting the scoreboard early after being held goal-less in the first half last week against Bacchus Marsh.
He said the Lions started well each quarter, with the Devils hitting back late in the quarters.
Jordan said when the Devils got on top, they were beating the Lions on the spread and with outside run and carry.
It was the leaders who showed the way for the Lions – ruckman David Kovacevic and midfielder Alik Magin were best in the loss.
Jordan said the performances of Tom Donoghue, Alec Goodson and Allan O’Connor were also encouraging.
Adam Short played well before going off with a back injury. Jordan said Short would see the physiotherapist on Monday to get a better idea of the extent of the injury.
“He’s probably been our best player to date and been really important for us,” he said.
“He’s been picked in the interleague squad but I think he’d be unlikely to play. He was hardly walking at one stage.”
The loss leaves the Lions 1-3 heading into the weekend off for interleague. Jordan said the team needed to build on sustaining their run.
“It’s been a tough start and we knew it would be the case.
“Darley and Bacchus Marsh are really quality teams. We were in the game yesterday and we were in the game against Melton South.
“I thought maybe we could have got over the line in one of those games. A performance like we had against Darley would have us in most games and give us a chance to win.
“We’re focusing on East Point and taking it one game at a time.”
Meanwhile, the Lions A-grade netballers kept their winning start to the season alive with a hard-fought win against the Devils.
Without both their main goalers, the Lions worked themselves into the game. They led at every change, winning 36-26.
Defender Ashleigh Hardy was best on court.
