WRFL: Sunshine Heights gets off to a stunning start

Sunshine Heights have gone from the brink of collapse, including a pre-season training session with just six players, to record a stunning win in its first game of the season.

“I was completely shocked”.

Those are the words new Sunshine Heights coach Colby Blyth used to describe his side’s stunning start to the season.

The WRFL Division 3 club made a statement of intent with a 22.21 (153) to 7.4 (46) win over Tarneit on Saturday in Blyth’s first game as senior mentor.

It was just another moment in an emotional and rollercoaster ride for Blyth, a former SANFL player, who was appointed to the top job at Ainsworth Reserve in October last year.

He said at one point it appeared the club could have to go into recess for 2022 with just six players turning up for pre-Christmas training.

“It didn’t get much better after Christmas because we only had about 10 to 15 guys on average,” he said.

“There were times I was thinking to myself ‘what have I signed up for?’ But to the club’s credit we managed to pull together two sides together for our first game after having the bye in round one.

“It wasn’t until about six weeks ago where I thought we weren’t going to be too bad. We’ve had to cram everything into the last month in terms and structures and style but the boys have been fantastic.

“I was obviously wanting the win on Saturday but I was completely shocked by the result.”

Colby Blyth is the new Sunshine Heights coach. Photo: Facebook.

Blyth highlighted his own talents with six majors in the Dragons’ big win but he said the effort was more about the collective as a whole.

“People had written us off because we were only a few months ago,” he said.

“But I’ve told the boys I want them to embrace the underdog status and show other teams in this division what we can do.

“I want us to be a disciplined outfit. It’s going to take some more time for us to gel and that means we are only going to get better as the season goes on.”

Elliot Rosado, one of the club’s new recruits and co-captain, was a standout in his first game for the club producing a best on ground display.

Blyth described his star man as an “enforcer on the ground”.

“He’s an action person and I thought he led the boys really well,” he said.

“Some of our guys haven’t played for a few years but they’ve embraced what we’re trying to build at this football club.”

Former coach Rob Greto kicked four goals. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Alex Modski and Rob Greto also finished with four goals apiece.

Kyall Parker, James Vella, Patrick Eliepa and George Perry were among also Heights’ better players.

For Tarneit, debutant Jordan Fletcher was named the best player on the ground.

Liam Simic, Thomas Cordier, Kyle Ricketts, Stephen Siale and Declan Drummond also battled hard.

Sunshine Heights will now look to continue their winning ways against Laverton, meanwhile, Tarneit will host North Sunshine in a twilight game on Saturday night.