Sunshine withstood a tough first-half examination from Wyndhamvale before coasting to a 48-point Western Region Football League division 1 win on Saturday.
The Kangaroos were physically tested before half-time, but they had all the answers for the most part and were always in command on the scoreboard as they registered their first win of the campaign.
Sunshine coach Brendan Hallinan gave credit to Wyndhamvale.
“They’re always going to put a contest together and take it right up to you,” he said. “But I never felt like we were out of control of the game.
“We were able to steady the ship at half-time and it was just a matter of trying to do more of the things that we know we can control in the second half.”
Sunshine’s domination in the second half was not truly reflected on the scoreboard.
The Kangaroos had shocking efficiency in front of goals, kicking 6.14 from 20 scoring shots in the second half alone.
After losing the season opener to Werribee Districts and being held in check in the first half against Wyndhamvale, Sunshine was relieved to get back to playing close to its best football in the second half, outside poor conversion, of course.
“We were OK going forward, our ball in hand wasn’t an issue, but we’ve just got to convert our goals,” Hallinan said.
“We just couldn’t put the ball through the big sticks today, which is a bit disappointing.
“We’re better for the experience today. We’ve got a lot of new faces up there in that forward line and they can only get better from this game on.”
Sunshine could be without star forward Daniel Castellano for an indefinite period.
Castellano went down clutching his leg in the second quarter and immediately called for a stretcher.
Hallinan is keeping his fingers crossed for his livewire forward.
“We don’t know what the extent of the injury is at this stage,” he said.
“We’ve got a few injuries at the moment … it means we’ve got opportunities for others to step up and prove themselves.”
Lachlan Smart assumed the role Castellano vacated with success.
“I thought he influenced the game in a big way,” Hallinan said.
Bearded new recruit Matthew Williamson impressed with competitiveness in the ruck.
He was also dangerous as a resting forward, kicking three goals.
Billy Burston was sensational in attack for Sunshine with a game-high four goals, while Adam El Houli, Chris Atkins and Nathan Lyons were among the best.
Despite his side playing in last season’s grand final, Hallinan said Sunshine was the underdog going into Saturday’s blockbuster with undefeated Altona.
“Altona are the form team in the competition, there’s no doubt about that,” he said.
Elsewhere in division 1, St Albans piled on the misery for Caroline Springs with a 14-point win at Town Centre Oval.
That ended a dismal week for Caroline Springs, which had its premiership points deducted from the huge win over Albion a week earlier for exceeding the player points cap.
The WRFL put out a statement on Friday saying the club provided an “incorrect declaration of its players points that saw the club play above its allowable points cap”.
The premiership points from the game were awarded to Albion and the Lakers match score was annulled.
Albion suffered a disappointing 73-point loss to Werribee Districts away on Saturday, while Altona pipped Spotswood by a point.
In division 2, Albanvale celebrated its 40th anniversary in style, beating West Footscray by 15 points at Robert Bruce Reserve. Alex Shanks and Jake Desousa (four goals) were outstanding on a special day for the Cobras.
In division 3, Sunshine Heights opened its account with a hard-fought 10-point win over Glen Orden at Ainsworth Reserve.
Braybrook and North Sunshine will meet in the Anzac Day game at Pennell Reserve on Wednesday.
