Tara Murray
The Suns win against Albanvale is one of the side’s best in recent years according to coach Dean Cachia.
The two top sides throughout most of Western Region Football League division 3 last season, the teams are again expected to be in the mix again this year.
If their match on Saturday is anything to go by, fans could be in for a cracker of a final series.
The Suns managed to get across the line on Saturday, winning 11.11 (77)-9.13 (67), but it could have easily gone the other way.
Cachia said they were the type of games that they get the most out of it.
“It was a really challenging game,” he said.
“Some games in our division are pretty lopsided, the close ones mean a lot more for us.
“It could have gone either way. To get the win, it was one of our best wins for a few years.”
Cachia said neither team was able to take control of the match, with plenty of pressure throughout.
The Suns chances weren’t helped when injuries left them short on the bench.
“It was a struggle, both teams couldn’t get on top of each other,” he said.
“Albanvale had some changes, but they kept us in the game. The last 10 minutes it could have gone either way, we got the breaks at the right time.
“We were two guys short on the bench and guys running out the game injured. Albanvale was in the same boat.
“We had to dig deep.”
Daniel Hovey continued his good form in front of goal, kicking eight goals in the win.
The arrival of Hovey has had a massive impact for the Suns, with him not only kicking goals up, but freeing up Cachia, who kicked 100 goals last season.
“He played with us a few years ago,” he said. “Last year he trained with us and I was in his ear for ages.
“It frees me up to play centre half forward and be up around the stoppages. In a close game I’m able to input myself into a game more.
“It makes it easier for me to do the things that the team needs.”
Hovey was one of the Suns best alongside Chris Lear and Jake Snowdon. Snowdon, who is normally a forward, had to go into the ruck due to an injury and battle Reece Duffield, the best ruck in the competition.
The Suns depth was on show, with five of the side’s starting 18 missing. None of them will be back this week.
Cachia said the group was keen to use the hurt from last season to go one step further this year.
“It was really disappointing as we had set up to be in division 2, that’s where we want to be,” he said.
“We didn’t take the opportunity. The boys had the choice to turn back on it and go back to a struggling club or get a few recruits and have a big pre-season and do that extra work.”
The Suns this week face West Footscray for the first time.
West Footscray comes off a 14.12 (96)-10.5 (65) win against Tarneit. Sunshine Heights was the other winner on Saturday.
