WRFL: Sunshine Heights secure impressive win over Braybrook

Sunshine Heights coach Colby Blyth admits his side are exceeding his expectations so far in 2022 after scoring a huge win over Braybrook which blew the finals race wide open.

Sunshine Heights’ win over Braybrook may have been a shock to some but not coach Colby Blyth.

The Dragons blew the race for the WRFL Division 3 finals wide open on the back of a 9.13 (67) to 6.4 (40) victory.

Braybrook and Sunshine Heights are now both level on points at 5-5 with the former having a superior percentage.

Meanwhile Tarneit is a game further back ahead of a meeting with the Brookers this weekend.

According to Blyth, a sensational 4.5 to none opening quarter set the game up for his side.

“I knew if we stayed in the hunt for four quarters we would give ourselves a good opportunity to win the game,” he said.

“We were able to get a few more players back this week which I thought really helped our chances. Once we had that bit of breathing room I thought we controlled the game well.

“It made Braybrook play catch up footy for the rest of the day and we were able to make the most of our chances going the other way.

“I didn’t think the result was much of a surprise because I thought were a really good chance heading into the game. Against Albanvale, I thought we showed some good patches it just became about playing for longer and not having fade outs.”

Nick Mallia has returned to Sunshine Heights.

Among the changes to the Dragons’ line-up was the return of “club legend” Nicholas Mallia for his second game of the season.

He booted five goals in another promising, following up his nine-goal haul against strugglers Laverton two weeks earlier.

“It’s good for the young guys to have someone of Nick’s experience in the side,” Blyth said.

“He’s already giving us a different target down there and I’ve been really pleased with what he has added.”

Jeremy Angelowitsch, Massimo Sergio, Pat Eliepa and Jacob Poa also impressed for the Dragons as they boosted their finals credentials.

But Blyth admitted finals action wasn’t something he had targeted at the beginning at the season.

“My sights were set on solidifying the culture of the club and building from there,” he said.

“I wanted this to be a place where the boys can come and enjoy their footy. It was about progressing them as people, not just players.

“If we do end up playing finals anything could happen. It would be a massive reward for the people who have worked so hard behind the scenes.

Shaun Buttigieg-Clarke returned to the Braybrook line-up with three goals while Luke Zammit and Sean McIver worked tirelessly.

Sunshine Heights will next face North Sunshine.

OTHER DIVISION 3 RESULTS

Suns 50.26 (326) def. Laverton 1.0 (6)

Albanvale 28.17 (185) def. North Sunshine 1.4 (10)