EDFL 2019: Sunbury Kangaroos’ forwards could miss grand final

Sunbury Kangaroos could be without two of their best players in this weekend’ EDFL Division 2 decider as they prepare to tackle Moonee Valley at Windy Hill.

Joshua Burgess celebrates a goal for Sunbury Kangaroos in the major semi-final. Picture: Mark Dadswell

Sunbury Kangaroos are sweating on the fitness of their two leading forwards ahead of Saturday’s EDFL Division 2 grand final at Windy Hill.

Lachie Baddeley (knee) and Josh Burgess (leg) were both on crutches in the days following their team’s major semi-final victory over Moonee Valley.

If the pair, who have kicked 100 goals between them in 2019, are ruled out, it would be a major blow, but the Kangaroos did defeat the Fog in the final round of the home-and-away season without both players.

Baddeley and Burgess combined for three majors in the 32-point win over Moonee Valley in the first week of finals.

Lachie Baddeley has enjoyed a superb season for Sunbury Kangaroos. Picture: Mark Dadswell

Coach Anthony Leydin said his hungry team was determined to convert an undefeated season into the ultimate prize as it prepares to tackle the Fog for the third time in four weeks.

“They’re very driven,” Leydin said of his group.

“I’ve probably got the easiest job in coaching. I just point them to the oval and they get out there and do their stuff.

“Obviously we think we’re well organised and structured and play to a certain pattern.

“We think that holds up in the pressure of finals football, but until you do it, you never can tell.

“It’s probably the most experienced team I’ve coached and that does make it easier on the coaching staff because they (the players) are setting the example and leading the charge, and hopefully that’s what wins you the big games.”

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The Kangaroos will enter the grand final as a red-hot favourite after a perfect 15-0 home-and-away campaign and semi-final triumph.

Expectation has enveloped the club since it made the switch from the RDFL and was placed in the EDFL’s third tier.

A fruitful off-season of recruiting meant the Kangaroos were a flag fancy from the first bounce of 2019 — and they have justified the hype.

“It’s one thing to be pre-season favourite and it’s one thing to be talked about, but it’s another thing actually doing it,” Leydin said.

“So far we have. We know the next game is going to be the biggest challenge for us, but regardless of what happens in that period, I still couldn’t be more proud of the players to have done what they’ve done already.

“We had 13 players (in the semi-final) that hadn’t played footy with each other before, so that’s a lot of chemistry you’ve got to try and build, a lot camaraderie you’ve got to build over a short period of time.

“The pleasing thing is … they’ve done that. They really enjoy playing with each other and hopefully we can share in some success together.”

Moonee Valley defeated Burnside Heights by 68 points in Saturday’s preliminary final.

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