Tara Murray
Sunshine is hoping getting back to the basics of why people play football will get its Western Region Football League division 1 season back on track.
After starting the season with three losses, the Kangaroos were left disappointed with how things had gone so far.
The coaching group led by Heath Scotland and players sat down and decided to strip things back and reassess how they go about things heading into round four.
They got the result they were after, when the side recorded their first win for the season beating St Albans, 17.9 (111)-13.9 (87).
“To be honest, we assessed what we wanted to do and that was to go back to having fun and why we are playing footy,” Scotland said.
“It had been a disappointing start and the result against Yarraville Seddon was really poor and not too dissimilar to last year when round three was the turning point.
“The methods and game plans were still there [against St Albans] but we released the pressure and said get back to what you were doing in junior football.
“We broke the shackles and had some fun and put out an improved performance.”
Scotland said the performance brought a lot of joy to everyone at the club, after some early season struggles.
It was two of the Kangaroos recruits that stood up the brightest in the win. He said despite bringing so many players in this season, they still lacked the depth of other sides in the competition.
“Having Jack [Briskey] in the side was massive,” he said. “He is the first real focal point up forward we’re had in two years. We looked a lot more confident going forward.
“Tom Mundy played as good a game individually as I’ve seen played. He was willing to win the contest and get the team over the line.
“We were in the position… We tried to recruit players who weren’t getting an opportunity elsewhere, some from higher levels.
“It’s been a bit of a trial and area. Some are still finding their feet, while others are hitting the ground running.”
The high point for the Kangaroos this season is their under-18 team. The club has been able to get a side together after not having one in recent years.
Scotland said having the side was the most pleasing thing this season.
“The under-18s aren’t about results,” he said. “It’s about getting the side up and going. Clubs can’t survive in division 1 without having a pathway from the under-18s.
“This is step one in building for the future. We’ve turned a bit of a corner.”
The Kangaroos are set to face Altona on Saturday.
Scotland said that it would be a good test for them.
“We will have a few outs, which isn’t ideal,” he said.
“They have been the benchmark of the competition the last couple of years.
“We’re excited for the challenge.”
