By LIAM TWOMEY
IF A week is a long time in football, five years must be eternity. But after years of heartbreak, the drought was broken for North Sunshine on Saturday as the club celebrated its first win in the Western Region Football League since 2008.
After leading at every change, the Road Runners defeated Laverton by 21 points to kick off a night of celebrations.
North Sunshine president Ray Portelli said it was a great day for the club.
“To get the monkey off the back is a great feeling,” he said.
“To get the win was great for all the boys around the club, the coaching staff and all the supporters.
“It leaves a good taste in your mouth. It was a lot easier getting up at eight o’clock in the morning to go and clean the rooms, put it that way.”
Beau Mikus was a strong presence on the Road Runners’ forward line, booting four goals while Jeremy Hibbert also chipped in with three.
Around the ground, the damage was done by Mathew Charenko and Joshua Moody who were both named among the club’s best players while John Portelli was also a standout.
Saturday’s result sees North Sunshine jump to seventh spot on the WRFL ladder with a 1-2 win/loss record for the 2013 season.
The good news may only just be starting for the Road Runners, with the club set to take on the winless Sanctuary Lakes this week.
However, Portelli isn’t getting ahead of himself and said his boys would continue to take it one game at a time.
“We need to keep our feet on the ground,” he said.
“We will take every game and every week as it comes.”
