This loomed almost as a mini elimination final in the Ballarat Football League seniors – Sunbury was ahead 16.06 per cent in the six from the Cobras leading into the game, which claimed a 15-point victory.

A Declan Phyland running goal from 50 metres sparked a run of seven unanswered goals Cobras goals. Before that, Sunbury looked to have the ascendancy in the ferocious opening stanza that had players from both teams throw themselves into every contest without abandon. It exactly what you would expect from a match as important as this.

The Lions’ 17-point lead early in the second term was built on the back of a Jack Landt master class, with the lively midfielder seemingly everywhere. Their lead disappeared quickly though as the Cobras, who had kicked 2.9 to this point, suddenly could not miss, slotting goals from all angles to take control.

Lion Matthew Medcraft did his best to drag his team back into the match in the third, snapping a major before gaining a rare clean centre clearance to set up David Kovacevic to steer home a long bomb.

When coupled with an Adam Richardson yellow card for striking just before the final break, the Lions had a sniff again, down by only 14 points going into the last.

The Cobras and Lions went goal-for-goal in an exciting last quarter before Alex Sweet’s third goal sealed the Cobras’ win.

Cobras’ playing-coach Cam Richardson and Jackson Bolton starred alongside Phyland while Medcraft and Landt held the torch for the Lions, both booting two goals to go with Trent Stead’s double.

Bacchus Marsh will travel next for another vital clash against a finals hopeful, this time East Point, to attempt to cement its top-six spot. Sunbury faces the rare task of tackling a North Ballarat City on the rebound.