RDFL: Sunbury Kangaroos bank on development to fill holes left by departed senior players

SUNBURY Kangaroos are hoping to fast track the development of some of their emerging stars as they look for way to fill the void left by an exodus of senior talent.

Sunbury Kangaroos do battle with premier Macedon last season.

SUNBURY Kangaroos are hoping to fast track the development of some of their emerging stars as they look to fill the void left by an exodus of senior talent.

The Riddell District Football League club’s new coach, Anthony Leydin, said 17 players with senior experience had left Boardman Reserve.

The Roos will have to cope without Mitch Farmer and Phillip Lobb (Nullawil), while David House (East Keilor), Darragh McGovern (Rupertswood), Ryan Pretty (Tullamarine) and Chris Petroro (St Mary’s) have also moved on or requested clearances.

Leydin acknowledged there would be a greater emphasis on the remaining senior core this year, highlighting players including captain Daniel Gregory, Matthew Leonard, John Corso and Brenton Sutherland as keys to the Roos’ prospects.

“Those guys have played a lot of senior football and they will be expected to shoulder a lot of the responsibility,” he said.

David House has left Sunbury Kangaroos to join EDFL side East Keilor.

“Hopefully we can fill up on the edges with younger ones and develop them to round us out.”

He said Sunbury Kangaroos hoped to remain a finals contender through the “promotion of youth” after finishing sixth last season.

“We have got what I believe is a solid squad if all fit and available,” Leydin said.

“We think we could certainly hold our own. But depth could certainly be an issue, as it is with most clubs, as the season wears on.

“We need a bit of luck but our expectations internally as such are that we like our chances playing our best football. But so does probably every team at this time of the year.”

The Roos will have an indication of where they sit in the pecking order after the opening month of 2018, taking on grand finalists Rupertswood and Macedon in the first four rounds.

“It hasn’t done us any favours,” Leydin said.

“But in actual fact it’s better to find out in the scheme of things where you sit early on.

“What that gap is or what needs to be worked on rather than deluding yourself.”

Sunbury Kangaroos host Rupertswood in Round 1 on Saturday, April 7.