RDFL 2018: Sunbury Kangaroos vote to switch to EDFL
SUNBURY Kangaroos have declared their ambition to become the premier football club in Sunbury after voting to join the Essendon District Football League.
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SUNBURY Kangaroos have declared their ambition to become the premier football club in Sunbury after voting to join the Essendon District Football League.
The Roos voted 96-3 in favour of crossing from the Riddell District League on Monday and are set to start in Division 2 in 2019.
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“We want to be the best side in Sunbury,” president Allan Walters said.
“People will laugh at that and everyone is entitled to their opinion. But we want to play the highest possible football that we can.
“Over the last few years we have played practice matches against EDFL Division 1 sides and been fairly competitive.
“This year we weren’t so competitive with the Division 1 sides, so we are happy to start off in Division 2, earn our stripes and progress over the next five years.”
Walters backed the club’s ambitious plans to rise through the ranks of the EDFL.
“You have got to set yourself goals and some people might think they are unrealistic,” he said. “We are pretty confident in what we are doing going forward.”
Sunbury Kangaroos finished eighth in the RDFL this year with six wins, but are hopeful of attracting recruits once their switch is given the green light by AFL Victoria.
“We need to add to our depth, first and foremost,” coach Anthony Leydin said.
“It’s no surprise or secret we struggled at times for numbers, depth through the seniors and fielding a strong reserves team.
“That’s a strong focus. But we also need a bit top-end talent as well.
“Mostly around our forward half. That has been our focus. We need to be able to score a bit more freely.”
The RDFL could yet vote against the move, as it did in 2015 when Kilmore opted to cross to the Northern league.
However, Walters said the Roos were confident its fellow RDFL clubs understood the reasons for its departure.
Sunbury Kangaroos have struggled to field netball teams in recent years and would not be required to enter sides in the EDFL.
“Our advertising for netball coaches closed on Wednesday the 26th (of September) and no one applied for it,” Walters said.
“At this stage we only have five confirmed girls for netball next year.
“The (RDFL) by-laws clearly state you must field netball in each competition and unfortunately we can’t do that.
“We can’t physically grab someone, make them come and coach our club and bring players with them.”
Leydin was coach of EDFL club Tullamarine last year before joining Sunbury Kangaroos.
“Long-term, it’s probably a competition that offers a bit more of a challenge given the three divisions and we see ourselves hopefully coming through those divisions over time,” he said.
“There will be plenty of stiff competition coming from them, Northern Saints, Coburg Districts and Moonee Valley. It doesn’t get any easier.”
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