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The Advocate interview of Steve Burns

11 May, 2010

EDFL: Taylors Lakes Lions flawless from four Wins
BY LANCE JENKINSON

Is Taylors Lakes a surprise packet or is it a fait accompli they will be there or thereabouts when the finals seedings are handed out in Essendon District Football League B-grade?

Over the past decade, the Lions have regularly been leading contenders in the league's second tier, but some predicted a drop off in form this season and a middle-of-the-road finish.

The Lions are the hottest team in the competition, kings of the jungle in the opening month with a flawless four wins in as many outings.
"A lot of people probably underestimate us a bit," Lions coach Steve Burns said.

"We finished third last year and were in the top two for most of the year, but because we haven't heavily recruited a lot of people aren't giving us a chance.

"We've got our local guys and our core group who are pretty handy footballers and they front up and play good footy."

The Lions' road form is impressive. Three of their four wins have come away from the Lionheart Reserve.

The past fortnight they have sent out a warning to the rest of the league with shock wins at Pascoe Vale Panthers in round three and Tullamarine Demons by 13 points in a scrappy affair on Saturday at Leo Dineen Reserve.

"Last week sort of set us up beating Pascoe Vale up there," Burns said. "To go to Tulla, which we traditionally never beat Tulla down there ... we're rapt with where we are at the moment."

Chris Ragusa was the cornerstone to the Lions' hoodoo-breaking win over the Demons. The midfielder-cum-forward booted four goals in a best-on-ground display. "We've tried him up forward this year because we lost a couple of key position players and he's working a treat," Burns said.

Reigning league best-and-fairest Mark De Sousa, prolific ball winner Ben Hutchinson and rising star David Cantelmi also stood out in the Lions' win.

The challenges come thick and fast for the Lions with local rivals Keilor Park on the radar at Lionheart Reserve on Saturday.
"It's another big test for us," Burns said.

"It's a very even, hard competition and that's why it's great to have a good start to the year."

Meanwhile, Sydenham-Hillside's bright form at the start of the season was fleeting. The Sharks were rolled for the second week in succession. this time by the Northern Saints at Hillside Reserve.