It was a team effort that won Sunbury the cup. Picture: Kylie Else. Source: Leader
IT takes champions to win flags.
Champions like tiresome full-back Allan O'Connor, like devastating forward Simon Clarke and like premier ruckman Pat Cariss.
And then there's Jamie Lobb, the resident small forward, and Jay Cheep, the resident gun.
Add to that Rick Horwood, the all-conquering coach who's driven the playing group to new heights, and president Phil Lithgow, the hat-clad president who makes it all happen.
Or Sunbury's Golden Lion members, perhaps the heart and soul of the club, and unlucky fringe Lions Anthony Sammut and Tim Hill, unquestionably the heart and soul of the week.
But, in truth, this was no time for individual champion-like feats. Saturday's mission, toppling the September beast that is Redan, required Sunbury's wheels to move as one.
They did, oh so powerfully, and Sunbury is a Ballarat Football League bridesmaid no more.
Grappling the great Lions of the modern era and so heavily burdened by its September stumblings, Sunbury had the game sewed up before the first break, eventually winning, 23.17 (155) to 15.8 (98).
The local Lions piled on nine goals to Redan's three before the first break, and went to the sheds 62 points to the good.
Sunbury didn't have a loser, not even Ross Sleight, who had the unenviable job on Jarrod Edwards and humbled him again, and Clarke kicked seven goals.
The VCFL Medal was anyone's, but it went to Cheep, the supreme ball winner and heralded leader at his brilliant best, and Cariss wasn't far behind.
"I'm just rapt for the playing group. It's all that hard work, sweat, tears and all the doubters," Horwood said.
"I'm so pleased for the group, the staff and the long-time supporters. We've lost so many little ones, it's just fantastic.
"The wait's over."
