By Lance Jenkinson
A Ben McInneny masterclass of the forward craft had Sunshine in seventh heaven in the Western Region Football League division 1.
McInneny kicked a game-breaking seven goals to lead the Kangaroos to a 44-point win over Point Cook at Kinder Smith Reserve on Saturday.
It was the Roos first win since May, ending a five-game losing streak.
Kangaroos coach Adam Contessa lauded McInneny’s monumental effort on a wet and windy day not usually suited to commanding performances from key forwards.
“He was presenting really well and he just had sticky fingers today,” Contessa said.
“He got into the right spots, he made a few tough marks look easy and then he also capitalised.
“It’s about making the most of your opportunities and he did that.
“He kicked 7.1.”
McInneny’s seven was also a reflection on the silver service that went into the Sunshine forward 50.
The Kangaroos opted for a direct link to goal, rather than overusing the ball.
It worked with the Roos kicking 20 goals on what should have been tough conditions for scoring.
“We kept it pretty basic because of the conditions that we had,” Contessa said.
“We couldn’t be going wide and having tough shots.”
Sunshine’s forward line clicked for its second-best score of the season – 20.11 (131) to 13.9 (87).
If McInneny was not reeling in the marks, it was Lachie Smart picking up the ball like a Hoover.
Smart relished his chance to play exclusively forward and snared three goals to go with strong forward defensive pressure.
“He’s been playing forward and through the midfield this season, but we just said we want you forward today and your role is to crumb the packs, present and make the most of the opportunities and he did,” Contessa said.
Midfielders resting forward, Jake Allan and Josh Linton, finished with two goals apiece for Sunshine. Declan Moloney was immense in the ruck for the Kangaroos. Moloney was not only effective with his tap work, but also got plenty of the ball around the ground to finish with 23 possessions.
Belal Abou-Eid and Chris Atkins accumulated over 30 possessions each for the Roos.
With some winnable matches coming up, starting with Caroline Springs at Town Centre Oval on Saturday, they are hoping to get on a winning run.
It will be a big Saturday for Sunshine with the club holding its mid-year ball and 60th anniversary on Saturday night at Hyatt Place in Essendon Fields.
Elsewhere in division 1, St Albans held sway for most of the game to run out 22-point victors over Caroline Springs.
Deer Park was in cruise control in a 161-point win over Albion. Jase Perkins kicked 12 goals in a best-on-ground performance for the Lions.
The Lions will square off with Altona at John McLeod Oval on Saturday – one of the most anticipated WRFL matches in the second half of 2019. Altona will also take winning form into the game after a thrilling one-point win over Spotswood. Hoppers Crossing’s upswing in form continued with a 26-point win over Werribee Districts.
MORE WRFL NEWS
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/hoppers-crossing-cherish-four-points/
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/undermanned-altona-return-summit/
