Tara Murray
The Sunbury Kangaroos are trying to see the positives out of a difficult start to the Essendon District Football League division 1 season.
The Kangaroos are the only team without a win after six rounds, as injuries and COVID hit the side hard.
While coach Leigh Sporle said they didn’t want to use that as an excuse, it has been hard at times.
“We wanted to play young guys this year, but with the amount of injuries we’ve had, we had no choice,” he said.
“We’ve had an unfortunate run of injuries. We’re seeing more and more new faces coming in.
“It will be good at the end of the season and in the future.”
Sporle said they had as many as 17 or 18 players unavailable for one game, with every time they get players back, others were going out.
Former skipper Daniel Gregory is yet to play a game, while Dwayne Tate, Chris Lucas, David House, Dean Halliwell, Josh Burgess, Matthew Leonard and Zach McCasker are among those who missed multiple games or set for stints on the side lines.
The Kangaroos best chance to get a win, came across Moonee Valley in the most recent round.
Two late goals to the Fog was enough to get them over the line.
Sporle said they thought they would be competitive and they were that.
“We had a chance to win it with 10 minutes to go and being a goal down,” he said. “We had a three to four goal breeze, but they were able to get the last couple of goals.”
Sporle said they weren’t sure how many players they had out in that game, but was disappointed considering the position they were in.
With a number of big men out, the Kangaroos turned to local football legend Jamie Cuffe.
Cuffe, who is now 50, played his first senior game since 2018 and was named in the best. He played with two of his sons, including his first senior game with Braydan Cuffe.
“He got the six pack of beers from Moonee Valley,” Sporle said of Jamie.
“He played terrific and is a club champion. That’s the type of person he is, stepping up when we needed him.
“I’m grateful to have him at the club and have the leadership he provides.”
Sporle said there had been a number of players impress him this season and had stepped up in the absence of others.
Nathan Thomas has been a key down back, with the majority of the other defenders out injured. He has been impressed with Travis Foulds, who has played three games this season.
“We’ve got players in their second years like James O’Connor, Cooper McPharlane and Dylan Cunningham.
“Blake Tirchett is an under-18 who is holding down a key position. Joshua Bowden is another who has come in. They’ve come in ready to play and had a crack.”
Sporle said despite the position they find themselves in and now favourites for the wooden spoon and relegation, they were confident they could turn it around.
“In the back half of the year we will hopefully get some players back,” he said. “We showed what we can do against Tullamarine and we had four to five players out.
“With a full strength side, we will be competitive.”
The Kangaroos are set to face West Coburg on Saturday.
