Sunbury secures a critical road win and continues its hold over Sebastopol

Sunbury secured a critical road win in Ballarat and continued its two-decade-long dominance over a premiership contender in a stunning return to action.

Alec Goodson in action for Sunbury. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Sunbury continued its two-decade-long dominance of BFL rival Sebastopol on Saturday with a stirring 11-point win.

While records are fuzzy, the Lions’ winning streak against the Burras could stretch back to as long ago as 2000, which would be one of the longest active streaks in Victorian football.

It was also a critical road win for Sunbury, which has struggled in Ballarat in recent seasons.

Lions coach Travis Hodgson was rapt with the 9.12 (66) to 7.15 (57) victory, praising his players’ ability to hold firm under immense pressure in the final quarter.

“They’re obviously a really good side and it was one of the strongest sides they’ve had in all year,” he said.

Sunbury players come together before a match in 2019. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“We led from start to finish, they came hard at us at the start of the fourth quarter – they got within three or four points – and for us to go down the other end and find a goal was really pleasing.

“I think Sunbury is two from eight or two from 10 in Ballarat and that’s a common theme for the eastern block teams, so to take the scalp of Sebas who are a pointy-end team is a big win.”

Holding a 19-point lead at the final break, Sunbury kicked 1.5 in a tense final term but managed to hold on for a critical win.

Sunbury remains eighth but the result creates a logjam on the BFL ladder with eight teams now locked on three wins apiece.

David Kovacevic was dominant in the ruck, claiming best on ground honours.

The Lions hope the star big man will be available for the majority of the run home and any finals.

“Kova was super, he’s a man mountain. He was dominant around the ground and took a lot of strong marks at important times,” Hodgson said.

“We’ve only got seven games left and Kova is locked in for four, plus finals, so it’s really handy when he’s around.

Corey Mobilio also impressed stepping into a midfield role to lockdown on Sebastopol star Lachie Cassidy, while Daniel Toman and Riley Miller also impressed.

In just his third senior game, Mitch McLean proved critical up front with two goals.

“Corey only started playing senior footy for us in 2019 as a stopper in the backline and this was his first foray into the midfield,” Hodgson said.

“It was an old-fashioned tag and he executed it beautifully, Cassidy has been in the best just about every time he’s stepped out this year and he had minimal impact.

“Mitch has come up from the under-19s and hit the scoreboard in just about every game he’s played.

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“He’s just a natural footballer, smart, uses his body well as a small forward and it’s great when he have a kid come up and make an impact.”

Mitch Conn was also an important contributor but Sunbury expects to lose the star midfielder for the rest of the season after he moved to Sydney.

After just one game back the Lions have an ill-timed bye before another trip to Ballarat to face Redan.

The club then has a four-game homestand, which will shape its finals hopes.