SUNS OUTSHINE SHARKS
By NICK BOYLAN
First played second in a titanic clash, with an unbeaten Wyndham Suns taking on Point Cook Centrals who had only lost one game. The match proved to be a rollercoaster, with the Suns eventually coming away with the win and firming as premiership favourites.
The Sharks were the pace-setters early, with their leg speed and movement key to the opening two goals of the game. However, goals to Brad Busuttil and Rhys Kirk kept the Suns within a point at quarter time, setting the stage for a quality contest.
Point Cook coach Darren Findlay was enamoured with his young team’s 22 tackles in the first quarter and urged the Sharks to “get that run and link, look for the overlap run”. Wyndham’s second quarter was littered with missed scoring opportunities, with Point Cook’s tackling pressure and rebounding defence putting the heat on the Suns.
Run from Riley Colbert was essential to go with his clean ball use, but the Sharks also struggled to convert chances, meaning they only held a slim 3-point lead at half-time.
The ladder-leaders came out in the third quarter showing their class, with 6 goals to 1 breaking the game open. Ashley Gallina’s class began to shine, complementing Paul Tomelty on the inside, and leading to continued scoring chances for the Suns. Wyndham took their half chances with two timely Tomelty goals to close the quarter, leaving Point Cook on the ropes trailing by 28 at the last change.
The Sharks battled to work back into the contest, with Liam Henderson impacting both inside and up forward, but Wyndham had done enough to hold on and quell the young Sharks, eventually winning by 19-points.
In other action, Glen Orden started strong, but went down to Sunshine Heights by 14-points, with Ben Henderson among the best for the Dragons. Sunshine Heights will look to continue their form against the ladder leaders Wyndham next weekend.
Tarneit took down the Magpies in Laverton by 38-points, with Luke Cook and Richard Psaila playing well for the visitors. Tarneit will aim to continue their form against the Sharks next week.
In the last of Round 9’s results, Braybrook put together a dominant display over North Sunshine, winning by 121-points, off the back of a 10-goal haul from Paul Cutajar-Milosev. North Sunshine will aim to bounce back next week against the winless Glen Orden, while Braybrook take on Laverton.