Sunshine returned to the Western Region Football League winners’ list in style, smashing arch rival Albion by 54 points on Saturday.
While neither side is expected to make finals this season, pride was on the line at Kinder Smith Reserve, and it was clear both sides were hungry for the four points.
Scoring was shared early, each kicking 3.2 (20), to go into the first break even. But, after enduring its fair share of forward line struggles during the year, things clicked into gear for Sunshine at the resumption of play.
The Kangaroos booted 15 goals across the next three quarters, with Mark Williams, Lachlan Hutchesson and Patrick Wiggins leading the charge.
The trio kicked three goals each to blow the game open and seal the 18.10 (118) – 9.10 (64) win.
While the forward line was dominant, Sunshine also controlled the stoppages around the ground, which shut Albion down defensively. The constant pressure meant the Cats could manage just three goals in quarters two and three.
On what was a tough day for his side, Albion’s Todd Finco continued to build on his reputation as one of the WRFL’s rising stars.
Finco booted three goals, won plenty of the ball and was clearly among the Cats’ best players.
Saturday’s win is Sunshine’s third of the season. The Kangaroos are in seventh place on the ladder, six points behind fifth-placed StAlbans.
Albion is in a battle with Port Colts for the wooden spoon, with the two sides locked on one win each but the Cats ahead on percentage.
When round 12 kicks off this week, Sunshine will take on the fourth-placed Werribee Districts while Albion will meet the second-placed Hoppers Crossing.
In other weekend results, St Albans suffered its second narrow loss in as many weeks, going down to Spotswood by 11 points.
Just seven days after a five-point loss against Hoppers Crossing, Saints’ fans were again on the edge of their seats during the match.
After holding small leads throughout the first half, St Albans found itself 24 points behind at the final change, and it looked as though Spotswood was heading for a comfortable win.
But the Saints hit back, closing the gap late in the match before going down 12.18 (90) – 11.13 (79).
Jeremy Murphy was a standout for the Saints, booting two goals, while for Spotswood, Christian Elliott was among the best.
The weekend’s match may not be the last time the pair square off this season. Both sides are in the top five and could meet again in the finals.
