Sunbury Kangaroos score narrowest of wins over Rupertswood in RDFL

A LATE behind from a player in his first game for the club helped Sunbury Kangaroos secure a memorable win on Saturday.

A LATE behind from a player in his first game for the club helped Sunbury Kangaroos secure a memorable win on Saturday.

Thomas Ellard — who was cleared from Essendon District Football League side Essendon Doutta Stars last Tuesday — missed a shot on goal with about two minutes left in the Kangaroos’ clash with Rupertswood.

But it mattered little, Ellard’s behind proving to be the last score of the day and the matchwinner as the Kangaroos hopped to a 10.12 (72) to 11.5 (71) victory.

“It was a bit of a relief just to get the points, really,” Subury Kangaroos coach Jarrod Dixon said.

“It was definitely a confidence building win for us. They hit the front in the last quarter and they had the wind but we just worked our way back into it and just got up by the smallest of margins.”

The Kangaroos had controlled much of the match up until the last term.

They conceded just two goals in the first half to lead by 25 points at the main break but Rupertswood got itself back within striking distance at three-quarter time, by which stage the gap had closed to 17 points.

Kicking with the breeze, Rupo went on to boot five goals to two in the final term but Sunbury Kangaroos did enough to score a third-straight win.

Dixon plauded his side’s defence, led by Daniel Gregory and Matthew Wallace.

“Our backline was sensational. They really stood up tall on the weekend,” he said.

Mitchell Streiff found plenty of the ball through the midfield while Tierone Cuffe and Matthew Leonard were other standouts.

Dixon said while side still had plenty to work on, the start to the season — which has also included wins over Romsey and Broadford — had been pleasing.

“We weren’t too sure how we’d go because we had a lot of exits,” he said.

“But the players we’ve brought in have fitted in really well and the buy-in factor has been huge from the playing group. It’s only three rounds in, but we’re really happy with where we are at the moment.”

In other results, Jonathon Kent booted 12 goals as Lancefield demolished Rockbank by 160 points, Diggers Rest beat Romsey by 51 points in the 2015 grand final rematch, Riddell took care of Broadford by 53 points, Wallan defeated Woodend-Hesket by 50 points and Macedon had a 25-point victory over Melton Centrals.

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AN APPEAL has been lodged by Sunbury Kangaroos after the club was stripped of four premiership points last week.

The RDFL announced on Thursday the club had been punished for fielding an uncleared player — Zane Williams — in their Round 1 clash with Romsey.

All points the Kangaroos scored in that match were wiped meaning what was originally a 38-point win was reverted to a 46-point loss.

“It’s going to appeal,” Sunbury Kangaroos coach Jarrod Dixon said.

“(But) we’ve just got to move on and whatever happens, happens.”