Tara Murray
Burnside Heights snuck home against the Sunbury Kangaroos in the opening round of the Essendon District Football League division 2 season.
With the Kangaroos coming back to division 2 this season, the two sides faced each other for the first time since 2019.
The Bears were able to hold their nerve late as the Kangaroos came home late with the breeze, winning 12.11 (83)-11.14 (80).
Speaking before the game, Bears coach Cole Harvey said they didn’t know what to expect against the Kangaroos.
“They are young and fast,” he said. “There are a few unknowns, as we don’t know each other.
“It’s going to be a tough day in terms of not knowing what to expect. They have Rhys Magin, who is the best player in the competition by the mile.”
Matthew Romeo kicked three goals for the Bears, while Liam Mercieca, Jordan Hughes and Dion Lawson kicked two goals apiece.
Hughes, last season’s competition best and fairest winner, was named the Bears best alongside Lawson.
Harvey said while they were coming off a finals appearance last season, this season was a big unknown with a lot of changes to a number of teams
He said his side would be a young one with eight or nine young players joining the club in the off season.
“We will have six kids debut off the back of strong pre-seasons and holding our own in practice matches,” he said before the game.
“Our demographic is 24 and under. We have five or six players who are over 25. Jordie is 30-years-old and one of our older players.
“He is coming off his best pre-season ever. Hopefully the older guys will stand up for us.”
The Bears have lost Anthony Fawcus from the group of experienced players, which is a blow.
The club though has continued to look to bring in pieces, signing players just weeks from the season beginning.
“We plucked a 196 centimetre ruck, who we signed last week,” Harvey said.
“Mason Bawden, who is going to be handy. He’ll start in the twos, but we were struggling a bit for a second ruck,
“He’ll be nice for us, having been a former Western Jet and playing at Vic Metro. He’ll add more flexibility as an extra tall.”
Another key signing for the Bears is Dion Lawson, an experienced inside mid.
The Bears will face Coburg Districts on Anzac Day eve, in a Monday night clash in round two.
Meanwhile, Hillside beat Rupertswood in division 1. After a slow start and trailing by 22 points, Hillside fought back to win 11.11 (77)-9.8 (62).
