Tara Murray
Sunshine Heights is aiming to embrace the moment in a surprise finals appearance in the Western Region Football League division 3.
Finals wasn’t on the cards at the start of the season for the Dragons, as a number of departures left them scrambling for players.
But the side was able to come together under new coach Colby Blyth and secure fourth spot, heading into the final round.
Speaking before the match, Blyth said it was pretty exciting for the club to make finals.
“From where we come from at the start of the year, it’s really exciting for the guys and they are going to enjoy it,” he said.
“This season was more about emphasising the standards to get to a good spot for the future. It’s a really good accomplishment by everyone.”
“We’re confident where they are with the new standards and that we have taken a couple of steps forward.
“There’s still room for improvement for next year as we further evolve and more guys get a better understanding going into next year.”
Blyth said they had no expectations on the side against Braybrook in the first week of finals. He said they would use it as another chance to get out there and play football.
“We have no expectations at all,” he said.
“Whatever happens we are happy. As a team and a footy club to have made it so far to play finals is a massive bonus for us.
“The experience for the young kids to have another week of footy is awesome. We’ll take every week as it comes.”
The Dragons lost to Tarneit on Saturday, losing 9.8 (62)-8.12 (60)
Speaking before the match, Blyth said the match was an opportunity that didn’t come around too often, with nothing on the line.
“We’re going to play finals,” he said.
“We will look to use every moment and try to get the guys to work on things to take into next week.
“It’s about not worrying about what you can’t control. We want to try and bring the momentum and try to settle the side.”
Blyth said it would be wait and see on a few key injury concerns for the first week of finals.
He said it had been extremely difficult figuring out their best side this year with injuries, COVID and work accidents.
“I’ll never use injuries as an excuse as it looks down on other players. We take every week as it comes and try and deliver.”
