Sunbury Lions overcame Melton in difficult conditions to open their season’s account in the Ballarat Football League.
Playing under lights at Clarke Oval on Saturday night, players from both sides struggled with dewy conditions which left the ground slippery under foot.
After a fairly even first half with both sides struggling to handle the ball cleanly, the Lions opened up the game in the second half to win 8.12 (60)-3.4 (22).
Lions’ coach Ben Jordan said it wasn’t the greatest spectacle of football, but they were happy to get the win.
“We opened up the play in the third quarter, kicking three goals in a short period of time,” he said.
“The guys held up well around the contest. We had a lot of play in our forward half for long periods of time.
“It was a little disappointing not to have capitalised a bit more though.”
In a strong defensive effort from the Lions, they restricted the Bloods to just one goal in the second half, which came after the final siren.
Jordan said at the other end there was some good signs with their new-look forward line, which is still a work in progress.
Ben Said kicked three goals on Saturday night, while Alec Goodson is another who has been working hard in that half of the ground.
Patrick MacDonough was best on ground and was well supported by Adam Short, Nathan Bridgland and Alik Magin.
The Lions sit 1-1 after their first two games, after a first-up loss against Melton South in a game they could have won.
Jordan said as a coaching group they were happy with where the side is at having had several changes over the off season. The Lions’ next opponent is Bacchus Marsh in a rematch of last season’s grand final.
Meanwhile in the A-grade netball, the Lions put on a dominant display against the Bloods. The Lions led 17-1 at quarter-time on the back of 15 goals at 100 per cent accuracy from Chloe Curran.
It was much the same for the rest of the game, with the Lions scoring at least 20 goals in the last three quarters to win, 79-15. Curran was best on court, shooting 63 goals from 69 attempts.
Tara Murray
