By Tara Murray
The Sunbury Lions are working through the challenges as they try to keep their winning start to the Ballarat Netball League season alive.
The Lions have been tested in terms of availability this season and have struggled to get their full line up back on the court.
It has mattered little as they sit undefeated and top of the ladder after eight rounds.
Lions coach Kim Bailey is the first to admit it’s been challenging.
“We’ve had a fair bit of injury and unavailability,” she said. “We’re pretty happy with how we are going at the moment.
“We went with 10 players this year and have not done that before, which we’re lucky that we have.
“Players are starting to come back. We got Eliza [Gollant] for a half and Caitlin Hill will be back after SSN reserves.
“Tara O’Grady was back last week as well.”
Bailey said it’s been a juggling act each week when putting a side out and making sure they don’t over qualify some of their B-grade players.
She said Chelsea Amor, Mackenzie Wood and Emily Conn had all played really well when they had stepped up.
“The B-grade team is an awesome team as well,” she said. “We want them to have access to their players come later in the year.
“We’ve tried to be a bit smarter and bring in other players to help out.”
The Lions were in action against Melton on Saturday.
With the Bloods losing a number of players, Bailey wasn’t sure what to expect from the opposition.
“Hopefully it’s a good game against them,” she said before the game.
“We don’t know what they are going to be like. It will be a good challenge for the team.
“We’ve had a couple of weeks with six wins across the program and we want to try and continue that.
“Melton’s lower grades have some good talent there.”
The Lions A-grade side put on another show on Saturday as they won 108-29.
The Lions started with a 28-6 first quarter and kept the momentum going throughout the match.
Focus turned to star shooter Rebecca Hicks, who shot 50 goals in the first half.
Having just fallen short of the 100 mark once this season, Hicks wasn’t to be denied a second time shooting 104 from 113 attempts.
The Lions have the week off due to the long weekend before facing Bacchus Marsh the following week.
