By Tara Murray
Sunbury Kangaroos captain Daniel Gregory said it would take a few days to sink in that he is now a two-time premiership player with the club.
One of the young boys in the Kangaroos’ first senior premiership in 2012, Gregory led from the front on Saturday as the Kangaroos claimed the Essendon District Football League division 2 premiership.
The Kangaroos were pushed all the way by Moonee Valley, but were able to hold on to complete an undefeated season, winning 12.15 (87)-11.5(71).
Gregory said it was pretty surreal.
“A lot of relief, but we’ve been the best for the year and it’s really a good win,” he said.
“I’m proud of the boys and the footy club.
“There was the expectation that we were going to probably do well externally, but we knew that it would be a fight and Moonee Valley played really well.
“It was a fight to the end.”
PHOTO GALLERY: Division 2 grand final
Gregory, who was named among the best, even found himself on the goal kicking list for a rare occasion. After receiving a free kick just outside 50 in the second quarter, the full-back went back and slotted it.
“I reckon I got one against Keilor Park this year,” Gregory said of his last goal.
“Everyone was sniffing around for a crumb, but I thought I would go back and kick.
“We had goal kicking on Thursday at training and I missed every one.
“I never ever thought I would kick a goal in the grand final.
“Me and Matty Leonard are having a bit of a competition. I might tell him a goal in a grand final is worth four and win the competition this year.”
Gregory said this premiership was different from the one in 2012.
EDFL: SUNBURY KANGAROOS CLAIM DIVISION 2 PREMIERSHIP
“Last time was winning off the final kick, this one was a bit more comfortable.
“We were out on our feet and credit to them, it was just a hard game of footy.
“I’ll think about it the next couple of days.”
Brenton Sutherland is another one of the two-time premiership players at the club.
The big man, who is better known at Bogut, was awarded the best-on-ground for his efforts in the ruck.
While he may have been the tallest on the field, Sutherland was getting among the packs and playing like a midfielder.
“A few knocks to the head will do that to you,” he said of playing like a midfielder.
“It’s been a good hard year and it’s good to get the result in the end.
“I was a bit surprised [to win the medal], I thought John Corso was a bit stiff, but I’m happy with it.”
Kangaroos coach Anthony Leydin revealed after the game that Sutherland had played in the grand final with a strained meniscus.
The others to be part of both senior Kangaroos premierships are Tierone Cuffe, Matt Welsh, Matthew Leonard, Mitch Streiff and Jared Pretty.
Gregory said he was proud of what the club had achieved as a whole this year.
