Sunshine Heights embark on impressive off-season recruiting

Sunshine Heights have produced arguably the best off-season of any WFNL Division 2 club with a package of recruits. Here’s how it played out.

Harley Armstrong-Weston is a big name recruit for Sunshine Heights. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Sunshine Heights feels like it’s heading in the right direction.

Before the 2022 season, there was a feeling recess remained a possibility especially when then coach Colby Blyth turned up to a pre-season training session with just six players in attendance.

Now heading into 2025, the Dragons are stable on and off the field under new coach Stephen O’Malley.

And based on their recruiting for next year, O’Malley’s side appear to be in a strong position to challenge for at least a finals position in a new look Western Football League division two competition.

Ruckman Harley Armstrong-Weston arrives at Ainsworth Reserve fresh off a Division 1 flag with Hoppers Crossing and is joined by Warriors teammate Jackson Viola.

Former VFL player Viola missed the premiership but has remained one of the Warriors’ best players in recent seasons.

“Harley is a former junior and his family is all invested in the club,” O’Malley said.

“What he’s done at Division 1 level over an extended period of time is well known and we’re thrilled to get him back on board. Jackson has a few mates at the club and he’s really determined to help us keep moving forward with what we’re doing.

“One thing I’ve learnt about the club since coming on board at the start of the season is just how invested everyone is on and off the field, everyone is pushing in the same direction.”

Also among the new faces are Rocco Tripodi who joins from the Sunbury Kangaroos in the Essendon District league, having spent most of his career with Avondale Heights in the competition’s top tier.

The exciting Ayang Nyanjok, better known as AJ, has made the move from rivals Laverton.

O’Malley said this year’s pre-season had a different feeling to it having only been appointed in late December 2023.

“We’ve got more time with the players to work on our game plan and chemistry,” he said.

“Pre-season has been going very well, a lot of the guys have come back in good nick. The attitude has been really impressive.”

Division 2 is expected to be a 12-team competition next season after Albion, Newport and Sunshine were all promoted to the top tier.

Meanwhile, Glen Orden is hoping to return to the senior fold.

“Other sides are recruiting well,” he said.

“I’m looking forward to seeing how it all shapes up.”