Sunbury will be without key defender Grant Valles in its push for a Ballarat Football League premiership this year.
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The classy Valles is continuing his football with Old Xavierians in the Victorian Amateur Football Association.
Valles is a former Xavier College student.
He is a substantial loss for the Lions, with the BFL representatives having held down a key defensive position as well as a variety of other roles as required.
With Daylan Kempster also leaving, Sunbury will have to put together a new-look backline.
Sunbury coach Travis Hodgson said Valles was a big loss for the Lions.
"He'll be missed.
"He's been a great person around the club and fine player," he said.
Hodgson said the move was based on lifestyle - he lives in Melbourne - and employment opportunities.
Valles spent time in the VFL before joining Sunbury full-time in 2016.
He played in the AFL Development League with the St Kilda-aligned Sandringham in 2013, a full season with Bendigo Gold in the VFL in 2014 and returned to the AFL Development League with Frankston 2015, when he also made one appearance with Sunbury.
Valles missed about half 2017 while travelling overseas, but still managed more than 50 games including the 2016 grand final.
As big as his departure is, Sunbury's only other loss in addition to Kempster is youngster Dylan Landt, who plans to play with Essendon Doutta Stars with continuing to puruse a VFL career with Essendon.
The Lions' gains clearly out-weigh, with new faces to date including former VFL star Daniel Toman from Woodend-Hesket, Ross Hadyn (Riddell), former Lions star and premiership player Mathew Medcraft (Diggers Rest), teenager Wade Derksen (Nightcliff, NTFL) and Tom Cree (East Sunbury), as well as VFL-listed Tyson Lever (Coburg).
Hodgson is preparing to lead Sunbury for a second season after taking the Lions to 11 wins and fourth position - percentage away from top spot.
However, Sunbury did not get pass the opening week of finals, suffering an elimination final loss to Melton after being in total control of the game at three quarter time.
The BFL season starts on Saturday, April 18, with Sunbury having a bye.
The Lions are at home to Melton in round two on Saturday, April 25.
AFL Victoria re-opens clearances at the weekend, when the final player movements will begin to get into motion.
Clearances were open for a month in November.