The three signings set to play a key role for Sunshine
Sunshine’s busy off-season has received another boost with a classy midfielder set to return to the club.
Western
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What started as a stabilisation job is quickly turning into something exciting at Sunshine.
The dark clouds which hovered over the Kangaroos after their relegation to Division 2 of the Western Region Football League have now been replaced with bright lights.
Under new coach Ben Chapman, the Roos have continued to build a sustainable playing list bolstered by experience and exciting youth.
Earlier this week, the club confirmed the arrivals of former Spotswood duo Murray Boyd and Wayne Patak in a major boost to the club’s finals hopes.
Their arrivals followed the signing of exciting midfielder Mathew Medcraft who has played some representative footy in Queensland and was a regular feature in Sunbury’s senior side last season.
It has also since been confirmed Fabian Brancatisano is set to re-join the club for the 2023 season.
The former VFL midfielder arrives from Airport West, despite having previously been announced as a new Keilor Park recruit.
“The pleasing thing from a club point of view is that at the start it was all about stabilisation and being able to generate interest in playing for the club again,” Chapman said.
“Now we’ve been able to bring in the quality of those three guys. What they bring to the club off the field is just as important as what they’re going to add on it.
“We’ve tried to be strategic with our recruiting and compliment the young guys we already had at the club. They all bring extensive A-grade experience is something we thought we needed.”
In a further boost to Chapman’s side, Daniel Torcia and Joseph Tache have both elected to return to the club for this season.
It was originally thought they had made the decision to join Moonee Valley in the Essendon District league after being unveiled as some of the Fog’s first recruits.
“We’re thrilled to have both of those guys back on board,” Chapman said.
“They’re quality people and will give us some vital experience around the ground.”
Chapman said there continued to be a positive feeling at Kinder Smith Reserve with around “50 players” on the training track each night.
“The buy in and the attitude is great,” he said.
“Our first aim was to bring the fun back and now the key is to keep building on that. To the boys credit they’ve embraced everything we’ve asked them to do.”
Other recruits confirmed by the Kangaroos this off-season include Dylan Payne, Nick DeLeur, Jordan Rizzardo, Kyle Frahm, Jarrem Jeffries-Hayes, Josh Abrogar, Austin Rizzardo, Mitchell Bonnici, Buckley Chapman and Mitch Fitzpatrick.
Sunshine opens its season on Good Friday against Albion.
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