Tara Murray
Sunshine has backed in Guy Barbuto to lead its return to Western Football League division 1 next season.
Barbuto took over as the Kangaroos coach part way through this season when Ben Chapman stood down due to work commitments and helped guide the side to premiership glory for the first time since 1976.
The club announced that Barbuto would remain in the role for the 2025 season after the success the club had this year.
Barburto joined the Kangaroos for the 2024 season having been involved of a number of other successful programs, including the Calder Cannons, Avondale Heights and Keilor.
The coaching panel will remain the same with Barbuto saying they might add one other person to top it off.
“It is good,” he said. “I had to work around some work commitments to make it achievable.
“I’m grateful and ready to crack in. Hopefully we retain everyone bar the retirement of Murray Boyd.
“I’m looking forward to it.”
For Barbuto it’s the first time he’s been directly involved in division 1 as a coach or player.. Though, his father was at Parkside many years ago when it was in division 1, which Barbuto remembers.
Barbuto said it was an exciting time for the club going forward.
“We have a google young group, especially a lot of 24-28 year olds,” he said. “They are all staying and our under-18s and reserves won the premiership too.
“There’s depth in the ranks that makes our job easier.”
Barbuto said they had already started looking at recruiting.
The first role they’ll be looking to fill is the ruck spot that is left vacant by Boyd.
“He’ll still be around the club,” Barbuto said of Boyd. “He loves having a beer with the boys.
“Losing him is like losing a father figure on the field, that is what will hurt us the most.”
Barbuto said they would also look to add another key defender, a key forward and an experienced midfielder.
The Kangaroos in their announcement said that Barbuto had added a wealth of knowledge and guidance to the football program and they look forward to continuing the progression for season 2025 and beyond.
Meanwhile, Sunshine has started announcing its re-signings for next season.
The first announcement was captain Patrick O’Keefe with Daniel Torcia also on board for next season.
