LOOKINGat the Western Region Football League division 1 ladder, one might have expected Sunshine to comfortably beat Albion on Saturday.
But Kangaroos coach Brett Jacobs, speaking after his side’s nailbiting 12.15 (87) to 12.11 (83) win, knows better.
“Each time Sunshine and Albion play you can eliminate ladder position and wins and losses,” he said. “We’re big rivals and they’re always tough games. Fortunately for us, we had our noses in front when the final siren went.”
Indeed it was an arm wrestle for most of the day. Sunshine took a six-point lead at the quarter-time break but struggled in the second term as the Cats – eighth on the ladder with just two wins – booted six goals to three to jump out to a two-goal lead at half time.
The intense third quarter saw both sides struggle to have an impact on the scoreboard, with just two goals kicked. Sunshine closed the gap to nine points, but was wayward in front of the sticks with five points.
The Kangaroos got the crucial early goal in the last term and booted four to two in a see-sawing quarter to secure the four points, keeping them in touch with the top three.
Sunshine has a 7-3 record after 10 games, equal with third-placed Spotswood but well behind the Woodsmen on percentage.
Jacobs said he was pleased to win a close one against its next-door neighbour. “We didn’t play to our best and the credit for that goes to the opposition, who restricted us well,” he said.
“The last quarter was goal for goal and there wasn’t a lot in it. The ball was down in their forward end in the last minute before the siren so it was pretty intense; all the players were feeling the pressure.”
Jacobs said the win was crucial in the context of finals.
“We’re trying to keep pressure on the top three. They’re the only sides to beat us this year,” he said.
“We have to do everything we can to beat the sides below us and need to win the games we’re expected to win. The finals are still weeks away and we need to win enough to qualify.”
Cameron Taylor was an early withdrawal for Sunshine, the club deciding to take the precautionary route.
“He had tightness in the calf and he felt a bit of pain during the warm-up and wasn’t able to move as freely,” said Jacobs. “He’s a quality player and we didn’t want to take any risks. We’ll probably rest him next game.”
