After almost four years, North Sunshine is back on the winners list in the Western Football League.
Having made the decision in the off season to drop down to the thirds competition and field just one side, the Roadrunners decision seems to be the right one.
It only took one round into the thirds season for the Roadrunners to get a win on the board, beating North Footscray on Anzac Day.
Coach Paul Rossiter said it was a pretty special moment not just for the 24 players, but the whole club. The side’s last win came in May 2021.
“It was massive,” he said. “It was just electric and it was just amazing for the people of the club who have been there over the years who haven’t seen that for a long time.
“It was Anzac Day and a big occasion and the women’s side played before us and we had our junior launch night.
“There were a lot of people around.”
While getting at least a win on the board was always a focus for the Roadrunners they weren’t sure it would come this quickly.
A win against Hoppers Crossing in their final practice match gave the group some confidence going into Friday night.
The Roadrunners did the damage in the first half and led by 42 points at the main break after keeping the Devils scoreless in the second quarter.
While the second half was closer, the Roadrunners had done more than enough to come away with an 11.17 (83)-5.9 (39) win.
Rossiter said he knew they were switched on early by the way they warmed up, but couldn’t breathe a sigh of relief until late in the game.
“Our warm up had been a lot better than what it had been,” he said. “We had done quite well in all three of our practice matches.
“There was some belief. It was only when there was 30 seconds to go that I could enjoy the win.
“We played some good footy.”
Rossiter said they had been able to increase their inside 50 count from the practice matches and that had helped.
Just Cameron Howitt and Rhys Briggs had sung the song for the Roadrunners before and it’s the first time they’ve won in round one since 2017.
Rossiter said the club was really starting to find some momentum after making the decision to drop a division.
“We have 47 blokes on the list now,” he said. “There are 25 to 28 at training every night, before Christmas there were nine or 10.
“Culture is the number one thing and if you can get the culture right, the results will come.”
Rossiter said he had given the guys until Sunday to celebrate and then it was about focusing on round two against Glen Orden.
“We don’t expect it to just happen.”
