By Tara Murray
East Sunbury will play Essendon District Football League division 2 finals for the first time.
The Thunder sealed a finals spot in the best way, knocking off top side Moonee Valley on Saturday.
After been beaten by one point the past two weeks, the Thunder made sure it didn’t happen a third time.
The Thunder held on to win 9.9 (63)-8.7 (55).
Thunder coach Glenn Hopkins said they had learnt from the previous two rounds.
“The most pleasing thing was getting the win after losing a couple of close ones at home,” he said.
“We learnt from those games and were able to hold the game up more. We took the game on and tried to kick some goals.
“We attacked and kept the ball done our end for a lot of the quarter.”
Jorden Braddy and Connor Lever kicked two goals each for the Thunder.
Hopkins said key players such as Braddy, Tom Cree, Kamen Ogilvie and Shane Lindsay, were the standouts. He said they were the ones who controlled the ball in the last quarter when they needed to.
Hopkins said the win was a step in the right direction.
“They are getting their confidence back and they are back in love with footy,” he said.
“They’re starting to play the footy we know they can play.”
The excitement in the rooms after the game soon increased with the news that Burnside Heights had defeated Coburg Districts, which meant the Thunder were assured of a finals berth.
It’s the first time the Thunder have made finals since joining the competition in 2013.
Hopkins said there was excitement, but the job wasn’t done.
They have a bye this week before facing Coburg Districts in the final round.
“It’s good for the club and exciting for us,” he said. “We still have another game to play and we have to make sure we keep our feet on the ground.”
It was a big week for the Thunder, with the club announcing Hopkins had been appointed coach for next season.
Hopkins took over mid season with Steve Grey stepping down from the role.
He said it was good that the club had faith in him and he was keen to help the young group develop.
The Thunder’s under-19s are also through to the finals. They kick off their campaign against Strathmore 2 on Saturday.
The Thunder’s under-15 girls qualified for the grand final in their first season, while the under-11 boys took out a premiership on Sunday.
