Match Previews | Round 5 presents a number of tantalising contests, with the opportunity for first wins and the chance to break away from the pack on the cards for some clubs. Scoop previews all the action coming up this weekend.
Sunbury v Darley
Some will suggest that the winner of this contest will assume the third seed favouritism for the flag behind premiership fancies, Melton and Sebastopol, by the time Round 5 concludes.
While the result will not define either side’s season, the outcome should tell us more about Sunbury and their level of improvement. If you go back to grasp a better sample size of recent form from the Lions, while missing last year’s finals, Sunbury are 6-2 from their last eight games, while Darley sit at 7-1.
If you wanted to dig a little deeper into the form, matches against top six (from last year) opposition sees the Devils with a 5-3 record ahead of the Lions 2-6. Hence the call of onus on Travis Hodgson's near full strength line up at home getting it done.
Not only is Sunbury's list healthy, off-season recruits, Cody Brand, Rivva Karpany and Josiah Garisto have been significant, not mentioning the full-time additions of Mitch Lewis (ex-Port Melbourne VFL) and Josh Guthrie (North Melbourne VFL) - the Lions are primed for success in 2023.
How these two sides settle into their work early will be interesting given the Devils are coming off the bye and Sunbury with dominant wins over the Lakers and Melton South.
