EDFL: Moonee Valley wins first Division 1 game over Sunbury Kangaroos
Moonee Valley is on the board in 2022 after a 12-point win over Sunbury Kangaroos with coach Ian Denny paying credit to the club’s junior program for the victory.
Essendon
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Those who bleed black and white are leading Moonee Valley’s backs against the wall season.
The first five-and-a-half months of 2022 have been nothing short of a rollercoaster for the Fog.
A coaching change less than two months from the start of the season and five straight losses to the club’s EDFL Division 1 journey were just some of the challenges along the way.
On Saturday, the Fog finally had something to celebrate as it won its first game of the season 8.13 (61) to 6.13 (49) over Sunbury Kangaroos in a big boost to the club’s hopes of avoiding relegation back to Division 2.
The Roos are now the only winless side in the division.
Of those who took to the ground, 17 have come through Moonee Valley’s junior program.
Senior coach Ian Denny, who took over from Shanon Carrol in February, said it spoke volumes of the work done by Brad Young, the club’s 2021 junior president.
“We’ve lost some good junior talent along the way and we want to show people this is a place where they should be wanting to play their senior footy,” he said.
“Brad has done a terrific job looking after our junior program and it’s moments including Saturday which make you proud to be part of this club.
“Junior development and transition into senior footy is something the club has been focusing on in the past few years and it’s fantastic we’ve been able to see it come to fruition.”
Despite only kicking one goal in the second half, Moonee Valley was able to hold on for a crucial four points with the Kangaroos kicking 2.6 in the final term.
Denny said his side’s “determination to hold on” was a telling factor in the result.
“We felt the club was always going to be up against it with everything that’s changed,” he said.
“We lost some good players from our side but the players have embraced the situation. They’re a group who are pushing each other to improve every week.
“The boys just didn’t give in and our belief is only going to keep growing from here.”
Co-captain Bevan Newell starred for the Fogs in a dominant display and could have easily finished with “up to four goals” on another day according to Denny.
He was well supported by Will Agius, George Koukounaras, Kurtis Tankard, Jesse Dench and Jaycob Doyle.
Jack Newman, Jack Vivian and Zac Giuseppe all finished with two goals.
For the Kangaroos, Nathan Thomas was named the best player on the ground while Cooper McPharlane continued his impressive season with three majors.
The Fog will next face Hillside as Sunbury Kangaroos host West Coburg.
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