The 12.12 (84) to 16.9 (105) qualifying final defeat means the Lions now face Redan in a sudden-death first semi-final this weekend.

Sunbury gave up 6.5 to 2.1 in the opening term and in spite of closing to within 14 points at half time, suffered in the third term as Lake Wendouree kicked six goals to three.

Lions coach Mark Power put the afternoon of catch-up football down to a lack of contribution from his senior and better players, in an uncharacteristically listless performance.

Jordan Barham was Sunbury's shining light with four goals, while Ross Sleight and Daniel Sahlberg were other better players.

But a running blitz from Lake Wendouree wing-man Nathan Pring ended with a six-goal haul, while Paul McMahon also booted four majors.

"They came ready to play from the very first minute and our boys were caught stargazing," Power said.

"Our trademarks of hardness at the footy, intensity and tackling pressure weren't up in the first 20 minutes.

"We still had our chances but had to work really hard to get back in the game. Every time we'd get two goals Lake Wendouree had a response.

"If we get our structures right we can kick multiple goals quickly, but we just didn't get going for the day and had five or six of our better players from throughout the year down. Finals are about 21 doing their roles."

Sunbury met on Sunday to discuss the defeat, Power saying the players had to bring it upon themselves to understand and believe in the game plan that had served them so well during the home-and-away season. "We know Redan will be tough but we're proud people, we need to play our style of footy getting back to high intensity."

In netball Sunbury's under-18.5s advanced to a first semi-final against Lake Wendouree after eliminating Darley 31-14 at the weekend.

SCOREBOARD

Qualifying final: Sunbury 12.12 (84) lt Lake Wendouree 16.9 (105)

Sunbury best: Sleight, Barham, Sahlberg, Hurst, Robertson

Sunbury goals: Barham 4, Chambers 2, Jordan, Medcraft, Millward, Lobb, Sleight, Petran

Elimination finals: Ballarat 9.14 (68) d East Point 6.11 (47), Redan 17.9 (111) d Darley 14.11 (95)

SATURDAY: 2:15pm, Clarke Oval, first semi-final, Sunbury v Redan. Eastern Oval, second semi-final, Lake Wendouree v Ballarat