It was heartbreak for the Sunbury Lions as they tried to hold on against a fast-finishing Redan in the Ballarat Football League.
In a match honouring MH17 flight victims Maree and Albert Rizk, the Lions were the better team for most of the day, holding the lead until late in the final quarter before falling short, 16.7 (103) – 17.5 (107).
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As Redan was coming at the Lions in the last quarter, a free kick and goal Redan’s way at the 20-minute mark was the turning point.
The Lions led by 20 points when Redan got the goal to bring it back to 14 points.
A push and shove after the goal resulted in a Redan player sprawled on the ground, and he was given a free kick in front of goal without the ball returning to the middle.
Not only did he kick the goal and reduce the margin to eight points but defender Adam Short was given a yellow card and sent from the field, leaving the Lions a man
down.
Redan kicked two goals after that, including the sealer with two minutes to go.
Lions coach Rick Horwood said he was proud of his side’s performance against top-of-the-table Redan.
“I thought we had it,” he said in the rooms after the game.
“But we dropped off with our discipline, and good sides will hurt you when you do that. It was a valuable lesson … we paid the ultimate price.
“I’m really disappointed for the players and the club. It came down to a second goal from a free kick.”
Horwood said it was almost a perfect first half, as the Lions led by 34 points at the main break.
“Our endeavour, attack on the footy, keeping to structure … it wasn’t the perfect half but wasn’t far from it. I was really rapt with how we went about it.
“For us to push a top-of-the-ladder side, it shows we’re learning to stick to the game plan, and why can’t we do that next week again?”
Horwood said an eye injury to David Kovasevic in the third quarter was a turning point.
“He got poked in the eye and it was a pretty bad poke.
“It was the turning point of the game, when you go in with only one ruckman and that happens.
“Trent Stead [who went into the ruck] played a good role and took up the challenge. We didn’t lose a great deal, but the midfield’s mind changes when you lose your only ruckman.”
Stead and Kovasevic were named among the best players, as were Matthew Medcraft, Andrew Duhau and James Rizk.
“James controlled the game with his ball use and was in our best players on a day that celebrated his parents,” Horwood said.
“To play so well shows character.”
