Match Review | A second extra-time preliminary final in as many years captured the attention of the BFNL world as Sunbury triumphed towards its first senior football grand final since 2016.

 Sunbury progressed to its first BFNL Grand Final since 2016 after a thrilling extra time win over reigning premiers Melton at Marty Busch Reserve on Saturday.

Ironically, it was the second successive preliminary final draw in regular time after East Point and Darley could not be separated at the very same venue in 2024.

The Lions led at every change before scores were locked together, as two 5-minute halves eventually found a winner, sending the Lions faithful into a frenzy and the Bloods camp into the realisation their title defence was over.

Credit to the entire band of Lions followers both on and off field who won with dignity and full respect for the Bloods who made them earn their progression, confirming the old adage of how hard it is to make a grand final let alone win one in such an even competition.

The Bloods were brave, confronting their season mortality for the most part of the afternoon and had the courage to mount a challenge late and almost pinch it despite trailing all day.

Strangely, the 14-point margin took a back seat behind host of trumping realities. 1 - Sunbury earns their place into a grand final, 2 - Extra time decider, 3 - The pressure and high standard nature of the affair and, 4 - like it or not - the right team won, based on time spent in front.

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