EDFL: Sunbury Kangaroos not talking up chances after RDFL switch

Sunbury Kangaroos have unveiled two key recruits as they prepare to tackle teams in EDFL Division 2 after switching from the RDFL.

Sunbury Kangaroos coach Anthony Leydin. Picture: Hamish Blair

Sunbury Kangaroos coach Anthony Leydin is understandably guarded.

After the club was gutted by the departures of 13 players last off-season, Leydin is loath to talk up his list as the club prepares to tackle a new set of opponents in the Essendon District Football League.

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The Kangaroos have crossed from the Riddell District league and will compete in Division 2.

While the identities of most of their recruits are being kept under wraps, they will likely enter the year as one of the flag contenders.

Matt Quigley, a best and fairest winner at St Albans and WRFL interleague representative, has put pen to paper, while Mick Kilty has joined from Diggers Rest as a playing assistant.

Mick Kilty has crossed from Diggers Rest to Sunbury Kangaroos. Picture: Josie Hayden

Leydin said any predictions Sunbury Kangaroos would dominate the third tier were “pretty foolish”.

“But we think if the recruiting that we’ve done stays as is, we’ve recruited a team to be more than competitive in Division 2,” Leydin said.

“That’s not to say a slightly different team would be needed should you be in Division 1. We’ve got a couple of older guys who get to prolong their footy career.

“We’re really not thinking beyond just getting through Christmas training and then we’ll be able to determine who’s in and who’s out and who’s fair dinkum.”

The Kangaroos finished eighth in the RDFL this year after claiming six victories.

Leydin said the club’s “depth remains an issue” but it has been busy in recent weeks building for 2019.

Matthew Wallace, who has crossed to Premier Division outfit Pascoe Vale, is the only loss of note.

“You wouldn’t stand in the way of someone wanting to play at that higher level,” Leydin said.

“We’ve done pretty well retaining most of our list, all bar a couple, so that’s probably laid us a foundation to be a bit more selective when it came to recruiting.

“We look like we’ll pick up a handful across different positions in areas we were a bit deficient in. We’re pretty satisfied at this stage.

“We look like we’ve picked up a couple of forwards, another mid and probably a couple of flankers as well.

“The forward line was probably the main focus during the off-season and we’re pretty happy with how it looks, but things can change pretty quickly.”

The Kangaroos will start pre-season on November 28.