Tara Murray
A disappointing grand final loss will drive the Suns in the Western Region Football League division 3 competition next year.
The Suns were the top side throughout the season and entered Sunday’s grand final as favourites against Braybrook.
But they were slow out of the blocks and on the back foot early. Poor kicking in front of goal didn’t help the Suns chances of getting their heads in front.
The Suns finally got the margin back within goal late in the final quarter. They wouldn’t get a chance to get in front, with the siren sounding not long after.
The Brookers were able to snare the premiership, winning 6.14 (50)-5.18 (48).
Suns coach Dean Cachia was still left for words the following day.
“It was a disappointing day,” he said. “After the season we had, it didn’t go our way.
“There’s always a winner and loser and this time the loser was us.
“We will regroup and go again next year.”
Cachia said to get that close made it even more disappointing. He said they still thought they were a chance when he kicked a goal to put them back within a goal with 45 seconds to go. The siren went as the ball was bounced.
“We shot ourselves in the foot with 18 behinds, It really cost us,” he said.
“They started better than us too. We knew it would be pivotal in the match.
“At three quarter time we were still 20 points down. We thought we could still get the job done.
“They won and we lost. Credit to them they peaked at the right time.”
Cachia was the only multiple goal kicker for the Suns with two goals. Lucas Andrew, Adam Scarpino and Christopher Lear were named their best.
Cachia said that he was proud of how the team and the club overall, but that burning desire for premiership success has grown. The club is yet to win a senior premiership.
“You have to be proud of the efforts of everyone at the club,” he said.
“We set out to win the premiership and go up to division 2. We failed to do that. It’s fire in the belly.
“We have made two grand finals without winning. We need to turn that around. I’m proud of everyone at the club.”