Sunshine United captain-coach James Muirhead discusses Tigers’ relegation

Sunshine United’s seven-year stint in VTCA Senior Division is over as relegation but the Tigers are looking to take a Second XI flag on the way down.

Buddhika Algewatta in action for Sunshine United. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Sunshine United will rebuild.

The Tigers are heading back to VTCA Division 1 for the first time since 2017-18.

It’s only been four years since the club toasted its maiden Senior Division premiership before falling on tough times.

United won just one game in 2021-22, placing ninth, finished sixth in 2022-23, eighth with three wins last season and managed just one win this season.

First-year captain-coach James Muirhead said it certainly wasn’t what the club envisioned before the year but was confident it could bounce back strongly.

Tom O’Brien rolls the arm over for Sunshine United. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“It definitely wasn’t the year we planned to have – on the bottom of the table and relegated back to Division 1 isn’t a great feeling,” Muirhead said.

“The club has been close to relegation the last couple of years so in our mind, we’ve reflected on the past few years, and we’re using it as a positive step back.

“We want to rebuild ourselves, rebuild success and work hard to get back to Senior Division.

“I think seven years ago, the last flag Sunshine United won, they almost got relegated the year before and came back and won the title.

“We need to use those stepping stones to improve individually and as a team as well.”

United’s sole win of the season came against semi-finalist Airport West St Christophers, while they had narrow three-wicket losses to both Craigieburn and Keilor.

Muirhead lamented a lack of major contributors this season.

Matthew Sipala was the Tigers’ leading run-scorer with 261, ranked 28th in the competition, while Nalin Amarathunga (185) and Leigh Sheridan (183) were the only other batters in the top-50, ranked 48th and 50th.

Club great Tom O’Brien was the leading wicket-taker with 14 scalps, equal 24th overall, with Amarathunga (10) ranked 35th and Buddhika Algewatta (six) joint 48th.

Muirhead, himself, after 20 wickets for Newport-Digman in Division 2 last season, managed just five this season.

“We were always competitive in pretty much every game we played, it was just one of those things,” Muirhead said.

“We didn’t have a standout player with bat or ball, myself included.

“Too many players had a year they would believe was lean and in this game if you have too many guys you’re going to struggle against the stronger clubs.

“These things don’t last, we all have bad years, but unfortunately there were a few too many in the one team.”

Muirhead is committed to Sunshine United for next season and believes there are plenty of positives at the club.

In contrast to the First XI, the Second XI finished second and is through to the grand final after defeating Keilor by one wicket.

Brett Sheridan was the hero with 3-47 and a match-winning 56 not out.

Muirhead was confident of keeping the group together and bringing young talent through to the senior team.

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“I’ve been trying to promote a strong, united group – pardon the pun,” he said.

“We’ll have one or two new players next year that are familiar with the club, either they’ve been a part of the club before or are friends with the players.

“The Seconds getting through to the grand final, that’s exciting, and they’ve got a lot of youth, which is exciting for the club.

“All the clubs I’ve played for, if you’ve got a strong Second XI that’s a very positive thing to have because that’s your future generation of First XI players.”