'We just want to be a part of it': Lions hunting Ballarat Football Netball League finals berth

The Lions currently sit eighth, four points off the pace, ahead of a mixed run home.

Sunbury was scheduled to play three of its last five games at home before any potential changes to the fixture born from the latest COVID disruption.

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Coach Travis Hodgson said it offered a unique chance for his side to rise up the ladder.

"Looking at the block of home games and with our last two away, we really thought going into last weekend's game (against Bacchus Marsh) that we needed to win two or three at home," he told The Courier.

"That's the goal that we've set ourselves."

The Lions' season has been hampered by departures.

Reigning Henderson Medallist and club captain Alik Magin left for Queensland after round four. The midfielder is a chance to return for the latter part of the season, but recent COVID developments may hinder those plans.

Former interleague representative Mitch Conn only managed just two games before switching permanently to his New South Wales club.

The departures came after Lachie Bramble was elevated to Hawthorn's AFL list in the middle of the Lions' pre-season.

Hodgson said the club wasn't being selfish about its finals goals in light of all the player movements.

"With the list transition we've had and the things that unfolded in February (with player movements), we'd be more than happy just to play finals," Hodgson said.

"Whether that's finishing sixth or fourth (it doesn't matter). We just want to be a part of it."

Finding consistency will be a big part of Sunbury's finals drive.

Travis Hodgson's side has only been able to record consecutive wins one time this season - back in rounds six and seven.

While a statewide lockdown and a deflating loss followed, it was an important fortnight for the Lions.

Hodgson said evening up the record would be vital to keeping the season alive.

"Lake Wendouree (in round 11) is a good starting point for us. If we can beat the Lakers, we square up at 5-5," he said.

"We beat Darley in round one and haven't been square since. We feel like we've constantly been playing catch up and not been able to move forward.

"We've been able to get close enough. We get within one win of squaring up and then drop a game.

"The goal for us is to square up, and the week after that, it pretty much becomes a mini final."

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