By Tara Murray
Rupertswood made it two from two but is nowhere near its best early in the Essendon District Football League division 2 season.
After a close win in round one against Keilor Park, the Sharks had a convincing win against crosstown rivals, the Sunbury Kangaroos on Saturday.
Coach Brad Fox said it had been a terrific start to the season for the whole playing group.
“It was great for the boys and the reserves got their first win since June 2023” he said. “It was a really good day for the club.
“We still have a while to go and there’s a number of players on our injury list.”
The Sharks and Kangaroos match up is always one of interest and this time it was the Sharks that got the win.
Fox said the Kangaroos are always dangerous on their home deck.
“We managed to take the wind out of their sails,” he said. “Fraser Phelan-Smith kicked five goals in the first quarter which was a great personal effort.
“We were pleased with how we were getting him the ball. We kicked nine for the first quarter.”
Despite leading by 30 points at quarter time, Fox said the message to the group was that they weren’t playing their system the way that they wanted them to.
Fox said they know it will take some time.
“We still have a long way to go, I want them playing our way consistently,” he said. “We made a lot of changes to the system.
“Last year we didn’t have much time, this year we’ve had more time together and we are more mature.
“We are a work in progress until the middle of the year, two-thirds of the way through the year.”
The Sharks extended the lead to 42 points at half time before it was a much more even affair in the second half.
The Kangaroos won the second half seven goals to six, but it was the Sharks who claimed the victory 18.8 (116)-12.13 (85).
Phelan-Smith ended up with eight goals for the game in a best on ground performance.
Fox said he is only going to get better.
“He had an interrupted pre-season and is still getting back to full fitness.”
Also among the best for the Sharks was Jackson Cardillo, who has returned to the club.
Cardillo was one of the players who left before last season.
“We’ve got him back to Rupo,” Fox said. “It’s his junior club, his home club.
“Things weren’t working out for him where he was. He felt comfortable returning to Rupertswood where he has played most of his life.
“It’s a great sign of confidence that we are building the right way.”
While Cardillo is back at the club, last season’s best and fairest winner Ethan Fitzpatrick will miss the rest of the season after tearing his ACL in round one.
The Sharks have Easter weekend off, with Fox saying they would still work hard on the track between now and their next match on Anzac Day.
“We’ll flog the boys on the track, it’s still the early part of the season,” he said. “We don’t need a rest yet.”
The Sharks will host East Sunbury on Anzac Day. It will be the first time the two teams have played each other.
Fox said they had planned some activities in the lead up to Anzac Day to help honour the day.
