By Lance Jenkinson
Sunshine Heights is resigned to the fact it will not be featuring in the Western Region Football League division 3 finals this season, but there is still plenty to be achieved in the remaining games.
Top of the Dragons’ to-do list in the run home was to knock off local rivals North Sunshine and they did so in a canter at Ainsworth Reserve on Saturday, winning by 101 points.
Dragons coach Damien Farnfield admits there is a little bit of extra motivation when his side faces the Roadrunners.
“It’s been a pretty tough year for us, so happy to get this win,” he said.
“It’s always good to beat a local side too.
“We know a fair few of their players and we had a few blokes who used to play at Heights play for them now.
“Some of the guys have grown up together, went to school together, so it’s always nice to beat North Sunshine.”
Sunshine Heights remains a mathematical chance of reaching the finals, but realistically it’s over. The Dragons are four games and percentage out of the top four with only five games to go.
“Finals are definitely over for us,” Farnfield said. “It’s a little bit disappointing because we were hoping to improve on last year.”
With September beyond them, Sunshine Heights is putting in the foundations for 2019.
Farnfield has already blooded a number of youngsters who he sees as key planks to the Dragons line-up.
He is also enthused with the progress of a number of players who returned to the club this season.
Should the Dragons manage to keep their list together, Farnfield is confident it could knock on the door of finals next season.
“I’m pretty confident the group of guys we’ve got now will be able to roll over into next year,” he said.
“The positive thing is we’re a really young side.
“We’re pushing some young blood through the midfield now and we’re looking to next year and we’ve probably been doing that the last two weeks.
“We also brought in some blokes that have been Sunshine Heights players and stopped playing footy for whatever reason, work or family commitments, so they’ll be better for the season under their belts.”
It was an important win for Sunshine Heights against its rivals. The Dragons endured a lean patch of form and needed a boost in the form of singing the club song.
“It brings confidence,” Farnfield said.
“Confidence is a big thing in division 3.”
Justin Zahra kicked three goals for Sunshine Heights in a best-on-ground display.
Matthew Gauci and Frank Staffieri also snared three goals apiece. Jarrad Neilson was outstanding in the ruck, while Patrick Eliepa and David McKinley offered drive from the midfield.
Sunshine Heights go into the clash with Laverton at Laverton Park on Saturday as favourites.
Meanwhile, Braybrook caused a shock, inflicting a first loss of the season on Wyndham Suns by seven points at Goddard Street Reserve.
The Bombers have all but sealed their spot in the finals after as a result.
In division 1, St Albans has likely staved off any threat of relegation after a 49-point win over bottom side Wyndhamvale at Kings Park Reserve on Saturday.
The Saints ended an eight-game losing streak on a day when David Kovacevic was best-afield and Lachlan Baddeley and Matt Quigley kicked three goals apiece.
Albion was handed a football lesson in a 103-point loss to Altona, Caroline Springs was competitive in a 15-point loss to Werribee Districts and Sunshine Kangaroos finals hopes were dealt a severe blow in a 90-point loss to Deer Park.
In division 2, Albanvale went down by 135 points to Yarraville-Seddon in the battle of the bottom and top sides in the division.
