Sunshine recruits impress in season opener against Albion

Sunshine’s new chapter is off to the perfect start with several recruits starring in its season opener with a young gun playing his first senior game stealing the show.

Supporters are quickly going to fall in love with the new look Sunshine.

After an off-season of major change, the Kangaroos produced a near perfect start to the 2023 Western Region league Division 2 season; with four points.

A 16.15 (111) to 12.6 (78) win over rivals Albion was the evidence the Roos needed to prove they were heading in the right direction after their relegation in 2022.

New coach Ben Chapman admitted there was a bit of “unknown” surrounding his side heading into the first game with eight fresh faces injected into the Sunshine line-up.

Among them was Dylan Payne, who joined the club from Hillside in the Essendon District league, who was a “real shining light” according to Chapman in his first senior game.

Dylan Payne arguably couldn't have produced a better start to his Sunshine career.

“I thought he was excellent,” he said.

“He kicked three goals and just gave us an option all day. We had guys play their roles across the ground all day. Matt Medcraft got better as the game went on and played a really important game for us.

“Charly Williams and Buckley Chapman (who played on a wing) gave us some real drive. Nick McKay and Patrick O’Keefe were really solid down back.

“I’ve said it before but we were never going to play our best footy in Round 1, we’ve got a lot of new faces so it’s still going to take some time to gel. There’s some real positives for us to take forward though.”

Former Spotswood star Murray Boyd also impressed in his first outing in new colours.

Playing through the middle of the ground, Boyd’s presence and leadership was a standout factor in his performance.

“I thought he helped control things for us really well,” Chapman said.

“We brought him into the club to bring a bigger body around the contest and he helped with that yesterday.

“He’s another one who is only going to get better as the season goes on.”

Murray Boyd produced an impressive display for Sunshine in his first game.

After a shaky start — conceding six goals to one in the opening term — the Roos found their feet with their physicality around the contest lifting.

But Chapman credited Albion for their performance throughout the game.

Last season’s leading goalkicker Ben Doll impressed with four goals while Darcy McPherson was named the Cats’ best.

“We were really challenged in the first quarter especially with what they brought to the contest,” Chapman said.

“We made a few mistakes and they were able to capitalise on those to their credit, we missed a few chances of our own. I thought it was a pretty good game of footy.

“To get a win why we’re still learning about each other as a team is a real bonus for us.”

It was the perfect day for the Roos with Sunshine also taking out the reserves clash.

Both teams will now enjoy a week off having brought forward the clash to Good Friday.

In Round 2, Sunshine will host fellow finals fancy Wyndhamvale while Albion takes on Braybrook who were promoted from Division 3.