WRFL 2021: Sunshine coach Heath Scotland signs Brian Graham

The brother of a former AFL player has linked up with a WRFL club — and his coach says he “should be playing football at a lot higher level”.

Brian Graham in action for the WRFL’s interleague team. Picture: Mark Wilson

Sunshine coach Heath Scotland has hailed star recruit Brian Graham as a “genuine match-winner” as the Western Region Football League Division 1 outfit looks to rebound from consecutive seasons outside the top five.

Graham lives a drop punt away from Kinder Smith Reserve and will be a playing assistant coach at the Kangaroos.

He had signed with Division 2 club West Footscray in 2020 and was set to play alongside brothers Nick and Chris before the season was canned.

But Graham will reunite with Scotland this year, with the pair spending three campaigns together at Ballarat league side Darley, which included a premiership in 2017.

Player AnnouncementThe Sunshine Football Club is delighted to announce the signing of Brian Graham for season 2021....

Posted by Sunshine Football Club on Tuesday, January 12, 2021

“He’s the sort of player who can impact anywhere,” Scotland told Leader Local Footy.

“He can play forward and kick you a lot of goals. I tried him (at Darley) out of backline … and he was very effective in that role. As a midfielder, he accumulates the footy as well.

“What he adds is a lot of versatility, but he’s a genuine match-winner.

“He’s an out and out star if you ask me and should be playing football at a lot higher level. Obviously it wasn’t to be for him, but he’s going to add a lot of experience, a lot of class and will be a dangerous player for us.

“It just helps with that top-end talent that we’re looking to continue to acquire at Sunshine.”

Graham boasts a decorated resume and was crowned the best player in the North Gippsland league three times (2012, 2013, 2015) during his stint with Traralgon Tyers United.

He was a best-and-fairest winner at Darley, interleague representative and earned selection in the BFL Team of the Year in three consecutive seasons.

Graham also earned selection in the WRFL interleague team in 2016 when he was at Wyndhamvale.

New Sunshine coach Heath Scotland. Picture: Supplied

“Having coached him for three years at Darley, it’s not only his playing ability which we know is fantastic, but he’s a really good club person,” Scotland said.

“It’s a huge get for us. He lives across the road, there were a few things that angled our way and I was hoping we might have been able to convince him to come across and it worked out, so I’m thrilled.”

Scotland said Graham would add valuable leadership to a young Sunshine side.

“Having someone who knows my style and has played under me and worked under me for three years, it’s going to help me upskill a new group as quickly as possible,” he said.

“Having him out on the field as an on-field leader is going to be critical.

“We’re looking at Brian as a long-term acquisition for the club as well. He lives 60m from the footy oval, has a young family, so a lot of things work well for him.”

The Kangaroos have been busy strengthening their list since Scotland’s appointment in October.

They have signed VFL-listed midfielder Tom Mundy, who featured in Williamstown’s grand final side in 2019 as the 23rd player.

Belal Abou-Eid (Westmeadows) and Brenton Quinn (West Footscray) have returned, while Jarryd Scotland (Wyndhamvale) and Jay Gorman (Thornton-Eildon) have also arrived.

Fabian Brancatisano (East Keilor) is the only confirmed departure of note.

“We’ve still got a few (existing players) who haven’t signed … but hopefully we can secure them in the next few weeks,” Scotland said.

“So far things are going OK but still got a little bit of work to do.

“We want to continue to get some of the guys back who have left in years gone by.”

Sunshine will host Yarraville-Seddon in Round 1 on April 10.