EDFL 2019: Sunbury Kangaroos complete perfect Division 2 season

Sunbury Kangaroos completed a perfect home-and-away season on Saturday, but the flag favourite’s decision to rest Lachlan Baddeley had unexpected consequences.

Lachlan Baddeley finished the regular season with 55 goals, one behind Josh Covelli. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Sunbury Kangaroos ticked off the remarkable achievement of an undefeated home-and-away season on Saturday.

But there will be little time for celebration as they turn their attention to securing the premiership — a prize they have been favourites to collect for months — after a dominant season in EDFL Division 2.

The Kangaroos will have a re-match with Moonee Valley in a qualifying final this weekend, with the winner to advance directly to the decider, after prevailing in the final-round clash between the pair by 29 points on Saturday.

It was the club’s third smallest victory of 2019, underlining their superiority over their rivals, but coach Anthony Leydin insisted it was not a one-horse race for the flag.

Sunbury Kangaroos coach Anthony Leydin. Picture: Hamish Blair

“We’ve had seven games where there’s only been a kick or two in it at half-time, so the fact we were able to get across the line in all of them is pleasing and gives us a lot of confidence,” he said.

“But I don’t think we’re as dominant as what most people have been making out.

“But, again, we don’t shy away from the fact we’ll go in as premiership favourites, and that’s fine by us.

“Every final is a 50-50, so we go into that expecting a tough contest. Obviously both teams’ personnel may change a little bit as well.”

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The Kangaroos made their move with four unanswered goals in the third term after leading by a solitary point at the main break.

Moonee Valley matched it with the minor premier for the remainder of the contest, only outscored by three points in the other three quarters.

Matt Welsh, who suffered a knock to the knee, David House and Matt Quigley led the way for the winning side.

The Kangaroos were without their three leading goalkickers in 2019 — Lachlan Baddeley (55 goals), Josh Burgess (42) and Michael Kilty (37) — while the Fog had Rocky Ferraro, Robert Ryan, Sam Milne and Luke Egan out.

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While little has gone wrong for the Kangaroos this season, the decision to rest Baddeley proved costly for the key forward.

Burnside Heights spearhead Josh Covelli notched 11 majors in his side’s win over Hadfield, taking his season tally to 56 majors and leaving him one ahead of Baddeley after he started the round 10 goals behind.

“That’s all on me unfortunately,” Leydin said.

“He was one I insisted on not playing and you don’t play to win the goalkicking award … but it would have been a nice little cherry on the top for him given how great a season he’s had.

“But there a bigger picture and he understands that. But it was a surprise to hear Covelli kicked 11, given we weren’t even sure if he was going to be playing.

“But we can’t make decisions based on that — we just make them in the best interests of the team at the time.”

Coburg Districts and Burnside Heights will do battle in the elimination final.

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