Sunshine’s Hamish Andrew is tackled by Brad Murphy on Sunday. 86181_06 Picture: DAMIAN VISENTINI
By ADEM SARICAOGLU
SUNSHINE was knocked out of the WRFL division one premiership race on Sunday after going down to Hoppers Crossing by 44 points at Avalon Airport Oval.
The Kangaroos trailed at every change in an entertaining and high-scoring game, but the Warriors managed to break away from Sunshine with a five-goal to one third quarter after leading by just five points at halftime.
Kicking with a steady breeze in the final term, Sunshine battled hard, but couldn’t produce any scoreboard pressure. Hoppers Crossing added another four goals to put the final result beyond doubt.
After the game Sunshine coach Brett Jacobs said his side could have taken more risks in the final term.
“It was always going to be difficult from five goals down in a final, but we had the scoring end and the breeze in the last quarter, so it was winnable,” Jacobs said.
“We had to take risks and be pretty bold with the way we played and I thought we didn’t have the courage sometimes to play like that.
“We played a little bit wide instead of taking a few more risks.”
Jacobs said it was disappointing his side couldn’t make better use of the wind in the second term after competing so well kicking against it in the first quarter.
“We didn’t take our opportunities, particularly in the second quarter,” Jacobs said.
“I thought our first quarter was really good into the wind, and in the second quarter we really didn’t work hard enough to get that advantage.”
Patrick Wiggins and Thomas Millar both contributed for the Kangaroos with seven goals between them, while Cory Connor got two.
“I thought Seth Hill, Tom Miller and Patty Wiggins were pretty good, they were probably the three standouts,” Jacobs said.
“Look, the boys had a crack. We just weren’t good enough.”
Sunshine finished the game with two fit players on the bench after Jonathon Frost pulled a calf and Vinnie Giacchi hurt his shoulder during the game.
