Sunbury Lions butrcher the ball

By Tara Murray

Sunbury Lions need to work on playing four quarters after a disappointing loss to Redan in the Ballarat Football League on Saturday.

Backing up from a poor performance the week before, the Lions’ slow start allowed Redan to establish an early lead.

The Lions started firing in the second quarter and out-scored Redan by three points.

The second half started poorly for the Lions, who failed to score a goal in the third term. The final term saw the Lions out-score Redan, but it wasn’t enough in losing 16.11 (107) to 8.8 (56).

Lions coach Rick Horwood said his players were getting into games but not taking their chances.

“We’re getting into games but not using the ball properly,” he said. “We won the clearances but had 82 turnovers, which hurt us.

“We can’t stay in games for the whole four quarters. Players like Mitchell Conn and Jesse Flannery have only played four senior games; they’re our future.”

Horwood said VFL player Daniel Toman was the standout for the Lions.

“Daniel is from Bendigo Gold,” he said. “He had 48 possessions and taught our players to play at the highest level. The way he went about it is a lesson for our boys.

The Lions sit in seventh spot on the ladder at 2-2. This week they face Bacchus Marsh, which is second.

“They’re a very good young side,” Horwood said. “It’s an even competition and it’s good that it’s tough every week.”