Sunbury powers away from Melton but Travis Hodgson calls for repeat effort when Lions hit the road

Sunbury continued its undefeated home streak with a commanding win over Ballarat Football League rivals Melton but coach Travis Hodgson won’t be satisfied until his team take that form on the road.

Andrew Duhau chases the ball. Picture: Mark Wilson

Sunbury coach Travis Hodgson says his team can’t be rated a serious contender until it starts winning on the road.

The Lions squared their season at 3-3 on Saturday with a strong 42-point win over last year’s grand finalist Melton at home.

Hodgson was pleased with the win as his team powered home with an 11-goal second half but was quick to turn his focus to the next fortnight.

Sunbury travel to Lake Wendouree looking to break their Ballarat hoodoo before a trip to face reigning Ballarat league premier East Point.

“It’s a pretty good win for us,” he said.

Sunbury coach Travis Hodgson. Picture: Angie Basdekis

“We’ve won all three at home and dropped the three on the road, so clearly there’s an area of improvement there.

“You can’t be taken seriously if you only win at home and it’s got to that point for us. It’s been two years since we won in Ballarat.

“Lake Wendouree played finals last year and had a disappointing loss to Melton South, so they’ll be on the rebound.

“It won’t be an easy one but for us we need to bring the same effort and intensity that we play with at home and take it on the road.”

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The Lions will face Lake Wendouree without Jack Landt after the onballer was suspended for one game for striking.

Inaccuracy cruelled Sunbury in the first half against Melton, going into half time 10 points down after kicking 2.7.

However, the Lions started to take their chances after the break, booting 4.7 in the third quarter and 7.2 in the fourth to put the game to bed.

“Even through we were behind we felt like we had the opportunity to be in front but we didn’t take them,” Hodgson said.

Greg Hay and Nathan Wood celebrate a goal. Picture: Mark Wilson

“We felt if we could maintain the pressure that the dam wall was starting to show cracks.”

Andrew Duhau kicked three goals in the win while Jacob Bygate, Alik Magin and Jack Sheahan all finished with two.

Mitch Conn again shone in midfield while off-season acquisition Daylan Kempster played his best game after a shift to half-back.

“Andrew Duhau, he’s mixed his time between forward and onball and we gave him a permanent role up forward and we were rewarded,” Hodgson said.

“Mick Edwards was another who’s had a mixed role — he kicked 1.4, so he didn’t hurt the opposition — but it was his best game of the year.

“We’ve been playing Daylan at centre half-forward and he’s been serviceable but hadn’t had the impact that he or we would have liked.

“We put him to centre half-back and it seemed to suit him a lot better and he was really good.”

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