By Tara Murray
There’s a real hunger at the Sunbury Kangaroos heading into the Essendon District Football League division 2 season.
After making the grand final in 2023, the Kangaroos had a disappointing 2024 as they missed out on finals.
It was an interesting start to the off season for the Kangaroos with a number of players departing for new club, Gisborne Giants but things had settled and they were looking forward to the season getting underway.
Football manager Matthew Baird said the playing group had come back a little hungrier this off season.
“Anyone can win this division,” he said. “There’s always a frontrunner and it doesn’t take much to come back to the pack.
“We’re happy with where the club is at and we believe that we are heading in the right direction.
“We’re happy with how the list is and ready to get up and running.”
Baird said it had been a different off season with the departures of 10 players to the Giants.
He said that you never want to lose players, but all left on good terms.
Baird said the departures would open the doors for other players to step up into the senior side.
“There’s some kids that will get a bit more opportunity,” he said.
“Guys like Moey Rexhep who played for me in the reserves will get a good go at senior footy.”
Baird said they had looked to add players to their squad that would be towards their top end of the list.
The Kangaroos have announced six recruits for this season, while a couple of players will return from injury after not playing much last year.
Former Victorian Football League-listed player Jayden Eales will add to the Kangaroos ruck depth.
His brother Riley Eales, joined the club last season, tore his ACL in the first 10 minutes of round one and will also be like a recruit.
“We’ve been chasing Jayden for a couple of years along with Riley,” he said. “He decided to give Kyneton another year.
“He wasn’t sure if he was going to play this year. Both are coming back from knee injuries and they are stepping it up with training.”
Baird said Will Direen, who comes from Heathcote is a ready known defender who can float through the midfield.
Brad Collins, who has played at RIddell, has joined the club along with Oliver Randall.
Connor Bowden joins his two brothers.
Baird said Andrew Siekai, who was hampered by a knee injury last season, would also be like a new recruit.
Youngster Sebastian Ellis has come up from the Kangaroos junior program and has impressed early on.
“There’s a couple who have come through who are driven to play senior footy,” Baird said. “They want to be there and will be pushing for senior selection.
“Seb has really impressed. Riley Draicchio has been awesome… Tyler Baba have been key pillars of our 18s want to play senior football.”
The Kangaroos will kick off their season against East Sunbury in a twilight match on April 5.
