EDFL calls off East Sunbury v Sunbury Kangaroos after alleged murder of Joshua Bishop

A major Melbourne suburban football league has cancelled matches after competing clubs were rocked by the death of an alleged murder victim.

Josh Bishop was allegedly murdered.

A suburban football league has cancelled matches involving three Sunbury clubs out of respect to alleged murder victim Joshua Bishop.

East Sunbury, where Joshua’s family is involved, was due to play Sunbury Kangaroos at Eric Boardman Reserve this Saturday in the Essendon District competition but the Under 18, reserve grade and senior games have been abandoned.

A women’s match involving Sunbury Lions has also been called off.

The man charged by police, Brandon Watts, 27, has links to the Kangaroos.

The league alerted clubs this morning about the cancellation and released a statement this afternoon.

“The Essendon District Football League wishes to advise that the East

Sunbury Football Club will not be playing any senior men’s or women’s matches

on Saturday, July 5 in memory of Joshua Bishop, and out of respect for the

Bishop family.

“The Bishop family have and continue to be an integral part of the East Sunbury

Football Club and the entire East Sunbury community. The EDFL extends its

deepest condolences to Kristie, Travis, Joshua’s brothers, extended family,

friends, and the wider community.

“The affected matches include the Under 18.5, reserves, senior men’s,

and senior women’s grades. Further, the club has made the decision to play

junior games on Sunday.

“East Sunbury Football Club kindly requests that everyone respects the

family’s privacy as they navigate this period of mourning.’’

Joshua Bishop had last been seen at his Sunbury home on May 27. His mother reported him missing two days later.

His body was found at a Westmeadows house last Saturday.

Joshua’s father, Travis, was senior coach of East Sunbury last year.

On Tuesday the club expressed its “immense sadness’’ at Joshua’s death.

It said his life was “tragically taken under heartbreaking circumstances’’.

“Joshua was a bright, kind, and much loved young man whose presence will be deeply

missed by many. In times like these, we are reminded of the strength and unity

of our community, a community that holds each other close in moments of sorrow

and need.

“We kindly ask that everyone respects the family’s privacy as they navigate this period of mourning.’’

A GoFundMe page has been set up to assist the Bishop family.