Sunbury stun more fancied Cobras

Sunbury 11.10 (76) defeat Bacchus Marsh 9.9 (63)

IN what was arguably the best game so far of the 2021 season in the McDonalds Ballarat Football League, it was the Lions who ran out narrow thirteen-point victors in an upset victory last Saturday afternoon at Clarke Oval in Sunbury.

With football conditions absolutely picture perfect, the home side held on in a back-and-forth contest that was literally goal for goal for the majority of the day.

Defenders Tyson Lever, Nathan Wood and James Cree were amongst the best for Sunbury with the latter doing a terrific job on Cobras’ captain Jake Owen, keeping the spearhead goal-less in the opening three terms and forcing coach Tom German to swing key piece into defence to close proceedings.

The lack of Owen’s influence inside forward 50, as well as a missing the 2018 Tony Lockett Medallist in Aaron Willitts, left German searching for option B with Ryley Sthuldrier and Tommy Wardell combining for six of the Cobras nine goals.

Sharpshooter Alec Goodson continued his fine with three majors as the the aerial assassin took his season tally to 15 and is now the leading goalkicker for the Sunbury.

Henderson Medal favourite Dan Burton put in anther consistent four quarter performance, and together with Joel Muir, the pair more than held own against the premeditate ruckman in the competition in helping steer his side to victory.

The do or die victory for the Lions has them back in the hunt for a top six finish despite currently sitting in ninth place.

Ahead is an all-important clash with fellow finals contenders, Lake Wendouree in the next round, also at Clarke Oval.

Meanwhile the Marsh host second placed Melton at Maddingley Park, a venue where they have been unbeatable so far this season.