Lions claw way back to earn high-stakes win

REDAN playing coach Ashlee Smith believes the hard yards are paying off for her side after notching up a stirring comeback win over fellow flag contenders Lake Wendouree tomorrow (Saturday, June 21).

The Lions replaced the Lakers in third spot on the BFNL A-grade ladder with a gutsy four-goal win in freezing conditions at C.E. Brown Reserve.

Trailing by four goals at three-quarter time, the Lions unleashed a blistering 14-goal to six final quarter to claim their second top six scalp of the season.

They previously defeated perennial powerhouse North Ballarat by 16 goals in round six.

An impressive list of results against the top six have included one-goal losses to Darley and Bacchus Marsh – the latter being overturned on appeal after originally being deemed a draw – and a four-goal loss to undefeated Sunbury.

The Lions will get a chance to avenge their loss to the Cobras this Saturday with a trip to Bacchus Marsh.

Smith praised her side’s resilience against a quality opponent, after having trailed at every change of end, including by five goals at half time.

“It was not our game until the last quarter – Lakers have a very strong shooting ring and no matter what combo they had on they were still pretty accurate with their shots,” she said.

“They made things pretty difficult.

“We maintained that five-goal gap for a long time, but then we finally got some turnovers and scored off them.

“I think you can put our slow start down to how cold it was. We were dropping balls and no one was really catching.

“That was a huge factor – and the wind – that made us miss a few opportunities.”

The Lions were brilliantly led through the midcourt by centre Kathryn O’Dwyer, while the tried and true combination of goal keeper Erin Riley and Smith grew steadier and stronger in defence as the game wore on.

The goals were reasonably evenly shared for the Lions between Tahlia Thompson (21) and Eva Manserra (15).

Having moved into third spot on the ladder, Smith is hoping the Lions can consolidate their position in the coming weeks, starting with Bacchus Marsh.

“I’m definitely happy with the way the season has gone so far,” she said.

“It’s always a good hit-out against Lakers; they are probably one of our favourite competitors. The win was important.

“Bacchus Marsh will be tough, but hopefully we can get one back.”

Redan will be stronger this time around with the inclusions of Smith and O’Dwyer, who both missed the round two clash with other commitments.

An intriguing round of matches this weekend is headlined by a top-of-the-ladder clash between Sunbury (9-0) and Darley (7-1-1), while Ballarat gets arguably its best chance of scoring its first win of the season against ninth-placed Sebastopol.

East Point needs a win against North Ballarat if it is to make up some ground in the battle for a spot in the top six.

Round 9 recap:

Ballarat 35 lost to Melton 44; Lake Wendouree 34 lost to Redan 38; Sebastopol 34 lost to North Ballarat 64; Sunbury 67 defeated Bacchus Marsh 43; Darley 56 defeated East Point 32.

Round 10:

Bacchus Marsh v Redan; Sunbury v Darley; Melton v Lake Wendouree; Ballarat v Sebastopol; East Point v North Ballarat.