Sunshine welcomes several recruits for the new season

After a year of stability, Sunshine has launched a major recruiting drive which will shoot the Roos right into premiership contention. Here’s an insight into their off-season signings.

Nathan Carroll has crossed from Roxburgh Park. Picture: Hamish Blair

Retaining its playing list — tick.

Bringing in quality recruits to take the next step — tick.

It’s only early in the off-season but Sunshine looks set to again be among the contenders when the WRFL Division 2 season kicks off next year.

The Roos have unveiled a series of recruits across the last several days as they look to atone for last season’s finals exit at the hands of Newport.

Ex-Roxburgh Park and Sunbury Kangaroos duo Cooper McPharlane and Nathan Carroll look set to be exciting additions to the front half of the ground while former Hadfield captain Tom McIntosh will take up a key post in defence.

Ethan Sivijs and Jordan Davis have returned after a year with Essendon Doutta Stars while Jarryd Scotland is back after a short stint with Werribee Centrals.

Daniel Castellano is also back at Kinder Smith Reserve after spending recent seasons in country footy with Birchip.

“We take great pride with what we’ve been able to do since I took over last year, we’ve been able to stabilise,” coach Ben Chapman said.

“We’ve managed to bring in quality players and people. We thought we needed a couple of more targets in the front half (Carroll and McPharlane) and some experience in defence (McIntosh).

“Jordan will add into our midfield while Ethan is just a good ball user. Castellano is a forward, but he can play right across the ground as well because he reads the ball so well.

“Jarryd offers some great flexibility. In all, we’ve strengthened right up across the ground.”

Sunshine has already recorded a strong turnout at pre-season in the weeks leading into Christmas.

Chapman believes there would almost be enough to field a third team.

“It shows how far we’ve been able to come. When I was named coach last year, we didn’t have anyone signed,” he said.

“The first job I had was to pinpoint what we had to work with. Now we’ve been able to recruit strategically.

“There might be a couple more to come yet.”