Tara Murray
Sunbury Kangaroos want to continue to improve in Essendon District Football League division 1.
Predicted by many last season to win the wooden spoon in their first season in division 1, the Kangaroos surprised many.
The Kangaroos won three games and were sitting in eighth when the season ended prematurely due to COVID-19.
Now with 12 months of football at that level and with a number of recruits, Kangaroos coach Leigh Sporle is feeling happy with where things are at.
“We just want to improve on last year,” he said. “We always look at the old cliche of wanting to improve and continuing to grow.
“A lot of clubs in the division are going with youth which is really good. We would be in a similar boat.”
Sporle predicts they will field a very different side this season, having added a fair bit of experience.
Many of those who will come into the mix are familiar faces.
Tie Cuffe returns to the club from Strathmore, while Kayne Murphy crosses from Rupertswood, having previously played at the Kangaroos.
Matt Welsh, Anthony Leonard and Tom Borg, who have all played plenty of football for the club, return after not playing last season.
Fitzroy Greenwool, Cooper McPharlane, Douglas Bush and Ross Tungatalum are also handy ins, while a number of other players have come to the club.
“We’ve brought in some experience,” said Sporle.
“We’ve added some depth and it will hold us in good stead. We will be a lot better than last year, I think we will surprise a few teams this year.”
While the Kangaroos have added some experience they won’t go away from brining through the next generation.
After debuting several players last season, another one was set to debut in round one.
Brody Watts, who has returned to the club from Keilor, was named to play in the round one match, which was after deadline.
“He’s done all the right things and we’re committed to what we started. We want to make sure we’re getting that end of things right.”
The side will have a new captain this year, with Mitch Streiff taking over from Daniel Gregory. Streiff had been vice-captain.
Sporle said Gregory, who missed round one due to COVID-19, made the decision.
“It was his choice for us to start looking for the next person to stand up,” Sporle said.
“It’s good and the group decided that Mitch would take over.”
The Kangaroos kicked off their season on Saturday evening against Tullamarine in a twilight match at Leo Dineen Reserve.
The Kangaroos took it up to premiership fancies Tullamarine for most of the game, but fell short, losing 8.18 (66)-6.9 (45).
In other division 1 matches, Rupertswood was in the game until half time, before Airport West kicked away, winning 15.12 (102)-9.16 (70).
Ben Said kicked four goals for the Sharks, while Jackson Cardillo was named their best.
In the women’s division 1 competition, Gisborne started with a big win against Essendon Doutta Stars. The Bulldogs did most of the damage in the first half when they had 12 scoring shots to one. It was a much closer second half, with the Bulldogs running out winners, 11.11 (77)-4.0 (24).
The Kangaroos also started the season with a big win, beating Moonee Valley, 13.3 (81)-2.4 (16).
The Sunbury Lions lost to Strathmore, 11.15 (81)-1.0 (6).
In division 2, the Sunbury Kangaroos lost to Airport West.
