WFNL: How Sunshine is looking to the future in 2025

Sunshine has claimed its first win for 2025 but this year is much more about the long-term future of the footy club. Coach Guy Barbuto gives an insight into what he wants to see as a recruit impressed on debut.

Sunshine coach Guy Barbuto. Picture: Andrew Batsch

Sunshine is on the board for season 2025 but coach Guy Barbuto isn’t putting any expectations on his side.

After winning the Division 2 premiership last season and being promoted to the Western league’s top flight, the Roos have a much different looking list with the age demographic reducing over the off-season.

With several new faces in the senior line-up across the opening five rounds, Barbuto is determined to see his side keep building on Saturday’s two-point win over Point Cook.

“We never put a projection on the ladder, it’s about getting another 18 games into a young group,” Barbuto said.

“We’ve got KPIs we want to meet throughout the season and we want to give younger guys opportunities in the seniors. We had three under-18s in the side, Lucas Ash and Lucas O’Neill made their debuts.

“Playing the young guys is one thing, but we don’t want to starve the under-18s of opportunity. They’re equal top in Division 1 after winning the Division 2 flag last season.

“Looking forward to developing them over the coming years.”

The Roos were able to overturn a 10-point deficit at the final change to come away with the four points with new signing Riley Buckland booting three goals in an impressive debut.

“He’s previously been in the Gold Coast Academy,” Barbuto said.

“Matty Medcraft and him are close mates and that’s how we eventually got him down to the club.”

Mark Mazzeo, Tom Schwarzenberg, Xavier Kardachi and Kurtis Barnard also put together impressive performances.

Barbuto said the key was players having “belief in our process and system”.

“We found when we were able to get our ball movement going in the first we were able to score. Then we had a 15-minute lapse in the second quarter and they were able to get on top,” he said.

“I thought we were able to control most of the last quarter.”

FAMILY AFFAIR AT YARRAVILLE SEDDON

It was a special day for the Colebatch family on Saturday. Sam, who plays in the under-18s, made his senior men’s debut in the 113-point win over Newport as the youngster got onto the scoreboard with a goal. His younger sister Ruby, who usually plays under-16s, was part of the senior women’s side for the first they as they recorded a big win over Wyndhamvale.

Sam Colebatch made his senior debut for Yarraville Seddon.

HOPPERS HONOUR MILESTONE MAN

VFL gun Josh Pickess was best afield as Hoppers Crossing celebrated Ryan Kitchen’s 350th game in style with a 69-point win over Spotswood. Pickess booted a couple of goals in his performance as Levi Boys marked his return to the senior side with three majors.

RECRUIT FIRES FOR PARKSIDE

Parkside picked up a timely win heading into the interleague break with a 58-point rout of Point Cook Centrals. Jordan Fialkis was best afield, he joined the club in the off-season, and finished with three goals. Last year’s leading goalkicker Tom Condon finished with five.

GOALKICKING RACE HEATS UP

A new face and a returning forward are the current leaders in the race for this year’s Division 1 goalkicking award. Caroline Springs recruit Malik Elfakahani booted six goals, alongside Ryan Allan’s five, as the Lakers recorded a big win over Albion to underline their premiership status. Elfakahani sits on 19 goals for the season alongside Werribee Districts’ Daniel Nielson after he finished with four in the win over Altona.