Sunbury keeps Ballarat league season alive but must cover massive loss

Sunbury kept its Ballarat Football League campaign alive with a critical win but is set to lose its captain in the latest blow to the Lions’ season hopes.

Leigh Brennan in action for Sunbury. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Sunbury resuscitated its season with a critical 24-point win over Ballarat on Saturday.

After an opening round win over Darley the Lions had lost four straight games before topping the Swans at Clarke Oval.

The 12.6 (78) to 7.12 (54) win keeps Sunbury in touch with the Ballarat Football League top six.

However, the club will have to overcome another major loss with captain Alik Magin moving interstate.

The reigning Henderson Medallist has returned to his native Queensland and is expected to play just one more game for the Lions.

Alik Magin in action for Sunbury. Picture: Mark Wilson

Sunbury had already lost Lachie Bramble (AFL), Mitch Conn (interstate) and Jayden Eales (injury) since the start of the year while Dylan and Jack Landt departed after 2019.

Magin was instrumental in the Lions midfield and is not expected to return for finals should his team make it.

While disappointed to his lose star midfielder, Sunbury coach Travis Hodgson said it would provide more opportunities for the club’s youngsters.

“That’s the top five in our best-and-fairest from 2019 gone … so we’ve had to scale our goals down

“Daniel Toman, Tyson Lever and Haydn Ross have been good for us and we’ve been lucky enough to have Josh Guthrie play every game.

“David Kovacevic has played two games for us and on the weekend we added Tom Donoghue, a former Sunbury junior, who lives in Queensland but will play some footy for us.

“Where we’ve had wins is some of the young guys are starting to come along, no more than Luke Goater. He’s been terrific.

“As a junior he was a key forward but we’ve been running him on the wing, right now he’s a 6’3 athletic wingman who’s strong in the air, moves well and kicks the ball well.

Michael Edwards in action for Sunbury. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Dylan Featon in action for Sunbury. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“For his personal development it’s a transition but I’ve got no doubt in my mind he’ll end up a really good key position player.”

Goater was named best-on-ground in Saturday’s win, while Donoghue, Guthrie, Riley Miller, Nathan Wood and Ross also impressed.

After a tight first half Sunbury were able to find another gear in the third quarter, opening up a 27-point lead.

Sunbury remain 10th but are now just a game behind East Point in sixth and are yet to have their bye.

Hodgson believed his team was still capable of challenging for finals and this weekend’s game against Sebastopol was a huge opportunity.

“We’re off to a slow start but it’s probably not that unexpected internally given the list changes since February,” he said.

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“It’s a very even comp, there’s not much difference between fourth and 10th, but you don’t have long to start winning games in a 16-game season.

“Sebas presents a huge challenge, they’re a really good side, but we’re embracing the challenge.

“It could get us really back in game … if we could find a way it could create a launching pad.”

Conn, Kovacevic and VFL-listed forward Wade Dirksen are all expected to return for the clash at Clarke Oval.