SUNSHINE CLAIMS HISTORIC SENIOR PREMIERSHIP, WINS RESERVES & 18S TOO
Sunshine are the 2024 Division 2 Senior Men’s premiers after a historic Grand Final victory over rivals Albion at Pennell Reserve.
Despite not beating the Cats in any of their three previous outings this season the Kangaroos did so when it mattered most, stunning their previously undefeated opponents to claim the club’s first WFNL senior premiership while confining Albion to consecutive Grand Final losses.
Before Saturday’s 8.8 (56) to 6.13 (49) triumph, Sunshine had only won three senior premierships, all three coming when they played in the YCW National Football Association with their most recent in 1976.
The result also capped a momentous day for the club as they took home all three premiership cups after also defeating Albion in the Reserves and Point Cook Centrals in the Under 18s deciders.
On a wintery day that saw strong wind, rain and hail and eventually sunshine, the Kangaroos would lead at every change.
Kicking with the wind in the opening term Sunshine didn’t capitalise on their opportunities early but they eventually nailed back-to-back chances to take a 15-point lead into the quarter time break.
Their advantage stretched to 20 points with the first goal of the second term before Albion registered the next six scoring shots, the last of those being the Cats’ first goal of the game which reduced the margin to nine points at the half.
After both teams had combined for the just four goals in the first two terms Sunshine would kick that many in the space of 10 minutes in the third to open up a 34-point buffer at the 18-minute mark of the quarter.
Not wanting to concede defeat at that point Albion hit back with three consecutive goals of their own to close the gap to 15 points with a quarter to play before cutting the deficit further with the opening major of the final term.
But against the breeze Sunshine found a crucial goal and then defended for their life for the next 20 minutes with Albion only able to add a further 1.2 before the final siren sounded with the Kangaroos securing an incredible seven-point win that few would have predicted.
Sunshine skipper Patrick O’Keefe was awarded the Rex Swann Medal as the player judged best on ground by the umpires, after a classy and courageous display for his side.
O’Keeffe’s courage was highlighted in the fact that he was twice sent from the ground following two big collisions but played on before spending Saturday night in hospital after feeling the full effects of his efforts just an hour or so after the game.
Mark Mazzeo and Matthew Cravino were among the best players for Sunshine also, while Nathan Carroll and Declan Moloney each kicked two goals.
Sunshine coach Guy Barbuto, who took over from Ben Chapman late in the home and away season, was ecstatic post-game and said his side being able to establish an early advantage was crucial.
“We knew they (Albion) were gettable on their day and the process that we had we stuck to it,” he said.
“We knew Albion hadn’t been down at any exchange throughout the year. To go in up at quarter time, halftime and three-quarter time the pressure would build on them.
“We backed our game style in wet, dry or whatever it was. We got to work, we knew they were hard at the contest and we needed to match them and I think we beat them at it.
“This has been a long time coming for Sunshine, the work that Chappy [Chapman] did doesn’t go unnoticed as well.
“It’s a huge day for the club, everyone that was involved, guys like Michael O’Keefe, Mark Grech, Chris Gatt, Nathan Wilson who haven’t played in a flag.
“It’s going to be a big celebration with all three sides winning. It could go for a week or two I think.”
In the other Division 2 Grand Finals Sunshine started the day with a 24-point win against Point Cook Centrals to win the Under 18 premiership.
The Kangaroos trailed at quarter time and halftime but a late goal to end the third term put them two points up before they doubled their goal tally in the last to run out 8.10 (58) to 4.10 (34) winners.
Kane Holden received the best on ground medal while Tyson Lewis also starred with four goals.
Meanwhile, Sunshine collected their second premiership with the club’s Reserves defeating Albion by 17 points.
Like the Sunshine senior side, the Kangaroos reserves lead at every change and had victory all but locked away at the end of three quarters as they led by 32 points.
Albion attempted to mount a comeback in the last, but it was little too late as the Kangaroos triumphed 8.7 (55) to 5.8 (38), Trent Waring capping a superb season with best on ground honours.
SEE FULL SCORES & BEST PLAYERS HERE
RESERVES FULL SCORES & BEST PLAYERS HERE