Tara Murray
The Sunbury Kangaroos are sticking strong despite a number of season ending injuries early in the Essendon District Football League women’s division 2 season.
After a strong off season with a number of players returning to the club there was plenty of excitement at the club.
The Kangaroos have two wins from their first four matches, with coach Chris Dunne saying it’s been tough with so many injuries.
“We’ve had four ACLs in the first three games,” he said before the weekend’s match with Glenroy. “It is what it is and we still have quite good knowledge in the team.
“The players we’ve lost are still a big part of the team and they are sticking around us. They want to tape their knees and go out there and play, but unfortunately it doesn’t work like that.”
Dunne said despite the injuries, the playing group continues to push each week.
Against Taylors Lakes they were in the game at three quarter time before falling away as they finished with just 12 players on the field.
“We ran out of puff,” he said. “They will come out this week and get on with it.
“We should have a couple more back this week and we’re putting feelers out at the moment and trying to put the right people in positions.
“We’re slowly recruiting more and have a couple more starting with us this week, the side is really positive.”
Dunne said it had been good to see Tylah Bell and Bronte Koutras return to the club after a few years away.
He said they were hoping to see a few more players out there this season.
Dunne in his first season as senior women’s coach at the Kangaroos said he was enjoying the challenge.
He said one of the things he was most proud of was seeing his two daughters run out and play together for the first time.
The Kangaroos faced Glenroy on Saturday. It’s the first time the two clubs women’s sides have faced off.
The Kangaroos took control early on and were able to come away with the win, 9.8 (62)-5.8 (38).
Bailee Said in her return to the side after a couple of years, was named the Kangaroos best. Said was one of the premier midfielders in the competition before moving to play at Coburg.
Nat Dunne kicked three goals in the win.
“We tend to start strong and they run out of legs,” he said. “Hopefully we have a few more players that we can run the game out a bit.”
In other results, Sunbury Lions got the win against East Sunbury.
It was a one-sided affair with the undefeated Lions beating the Thunder, 13.20 (98)-0.1 (1).
Brianna Spratling, who moved into the midfield this week, was named best on ground for the Lions. Chantelle Harding was the Thunder’s best.
If you’re interested in playing for the Sunbury Kangaroos, contact Chris on 0466 578 404.
