The Courier |
A MASS exodus of star players at Sunbury will see the Lions face one of its biggest challenges next season.
At least five players have already walked away from Clarke Oval for the 2014 Ballarat Football League season, arguably the five most influential players for the club.
Captain Jay Cheep, power forward Simon Clarke and key onballers Ross Sleight and Jamie Lobb have all left to play at Essendon Doutta Stars in the Essendon District Football League next year, while ruckman Pat Cariss has already been lost to Riddell in the Riddell District Football League.
All five are 2012 premiership players and are certain to leave a gaping hole in the Lions' lineup.
It is understood renovations to the Sunbury clubrooms have forced the club to cut back on its football budget, while competing leagues in Melbourne's west continue to offer players more money.
Sunbury coach Rick Horwood previously told The Courier next season was always going to be a testing time, in which much of the focus would be on rebuilding.
With up to half a dozen premiership players already ruled out of next year's side, the Lions will have to look towards its youth and homegrown players to fill the holes.
Cheep's absence will be monumental; the premiership captain has been the star midfielder for the blue-and-white for years and was one of the standouts again this year.
Simon Clarke not only presented himself as one of the leading full forwards in the league, he provided an undeniable presence that left many defenders quaking in their boots.
Equally as imposing was Sleight, who only played towards the back end of the season but showed how damaging he could be.
And although Jamie Lobb missed the finals series with a broken foot, he has proven over time to be one of the Lions' hardest onballers.
"We're up against it," Horwood said earlier this year.
"When clubs close-by are making big offers you can't expect them (the players) to stay."
Sunbury has made the last three BFL grand finals, but only managed to win in 2012.
The Courier attempted to contact Horwood and Sunbury president Phil Lithgow yesterday but was unsuccessful.
