A SIX-goal final term and a 10-goal haul from star forward Mathew Sutton wasn’t enough for Melton South to cut down a wasteful Sunbury at Melton Recreation Reserve on Saturday.
A dominant first-half from the eastern Lions was the reason for their 17.23 (125) to 14.8 (92) victory. Although the final margin was reduced to 33 points, Sunbury dominated and, if not for inaccurate kicking, the margin would have better reflected the Lions’ superiority.
From the first bounce it was clear Sunbury had the game on its terms, but there was one hitch preventing a complete whitewash: Sutton put on a contested marking clinic. While Sunbury full-back Allan O’Connor gave Sutton limited space, the Panther forward – Melton South’s lone winner up forward – was too strong.
While there was only a one-goal margin at the middle of the first term, Sunbury put the foot down with three unanswered goals in three minutes, a period in which Melton South did not have a possession.
The longer the first half went on, the more Sunbury ran, handpassed, used the corridor and peppered the scoreboard. Ross Sleight was one of multiple targets up forward for the visitors, along with Simon Clarke.
Jay Cheep, meanwhile, did the damage in the middle.
Sunbury coach Rick Horwood was pleased with a win but said there were bigger fish to fry in coming weeks, beginning this week when the eastern Lions host undefeated Redan. Horwood said his team had still to work on a few things if it was to challenge the reigning premier.
“We went to sleep in the last quarter today. We took out all our experience from the midfield and played 18 and 19-year-olds in there. We still won the contested ball and centre clearances, but we need to work on our efficiency. We turned it over a bit and didn’t kick well for goal.”
Sunbury might have to test itself against the league pace-setter without key pair Scott Lobb and Brett Chambers.
The two collided just on half-time, which led to Lobb being taken on a stretcher from the field with concussion.
– Ballarat Courier
