It was the perfect start to a new chapter for East Sunbury in the Essendon District Football League division 2, winning its first game in more than 1300 days.
After an off season of change including new coaches, star recruits, bringing home grown talent back and a new uniform, it was time for the Thunder to put it on the ground,
Hosting cross-town rival, the Sunbury Kangaroos, it was a result that the Thunder could have only dreamed of.
Co-coach Justin Belleville said before the match that there would be plenty of celebrations when they got the first win, and they didn’t have to wait long.
The Kangaroos led at the first break, but from then on it was all the Thunder. It won each of the final three quarters to come away with a 17.8 (110)-6.8 (44) win, its first in 1344 days and since it returned to the competition.
Belleville said before the game they had done a power of work to get to this point.
“It’s exciting for the club and everyone is looking forward to,” he said. “It’s a really exciting time and we just hope we can have a bit of success having not had a lot of success the last few years.”
Belleville said the club was all heading in the right direction.
Heading into the season they didn’t want to set their expectations too high.
“We’ve introduced a lot of things,” he said. “They haven’t played a lot together besides a couple of practice matches.
“We are still learning and it will take time for it all to come together. We set our own goals internally and we’ll see how we go out there.”
The Thunder entered Saturday’s match with four or five of its best side missing but still felt it had a strong line up.
Much of the attention was on whether former AFL full forward Brendan Fevola would make his debut for the club.
He announced on Thursday morning on radio that he would play after returning from filming the Amazing Race.
Fevola kicked two goals, but was overshadowed by Joshua Crump and Todd Elton.
Crump kicked seven goals in a best on ground performance, while the former Richmond player kicked four goals.
“It will be huge for the club,” Belleville said of Fevola playing. “He is there for a reason and it will get everyone up and about.
“He has been great so far and hopefully he’ll kick a few goals for us.”
While Fevola was the one stealing the headlines, it’s the return of some former junior players to the club that has Belleville and others around the club most excited.
Belleville said being one pointers really helps with what the club wants to achieve.
“They were originally from East Sunbury,” he said. “Mitch Trimboli, Lachie Brne, Tom and James Cree.
“I’m looking forward to seeing them. Getting them in allows us to get some more top end talent in.
“It’s a whole process and a start of where we are going.”
Belleville, a premiership coach at Riddell, said he was getting his head around the new competition.
After a first up win, the Thunder faces last season’s runners-ups Westmeadows this Saturday and then Rupertswood on Anzac Day in a big start for the club.
For the Kangaroos, Michael Treweek and John Corso were named best.
