East Sunbury has had its best start to an Essendon District Football League division 2 season.
The Thunder recorded a third straight win on Saturday as they held off a fast finishing Roxburgh Park.
It was a special day for both clubs, with an Anzac Day ceremony being held for a second straight year.
Thunder coach Steve Grey said he was happy with the first three quarters which set up the win. Despite being outscored five goals to two in the final quarter, Thunder held on to win 14.10 (94)-11.13 (79).
“Things are going along nicely at the moment,” Grey said. “We’re playing some good footy and starting to gel and the new players have fitted in.
“We played some real good football in the first three quarters.
“At times though we did turn the footy over a bit looking for the last option up forward.”
Grey admitted there was some nerves when the Magpies came at them in the last quarter, having been in the same situation in the corresponding round last year.
On that occasion the Magpies got up by one point.
“The group we have this year had a lot of belief,” he said. “It just shows when the game is on the line the players will stand up.
“At the back end of the year, it will be some tight finish. It puts us a good place going forward.”
Brad Bernacki was best on ground in his second senior game for the club.
Grey said every game they got from the VFL listed player was a bonus.
Jorden Braddy continued his good form in the ruck, while Lucas Shaw was strong up forward kicking five goals.
Grey said it was real team effort, with those three the standouts.
The Thunder will face a couple of challenging weeks, before their first bye of the season.
They face Northern Saints and Moonee Valley the next two rounds.
“Every game is a good challenge,” he said.
“It’s very even this year. We’ve got a couple of big weeks and then a well earned rest.