By Tara Murray
The Suns have been tested and challenged early in the Western Football League division 2 but have been able to find a way.
With some injury concerns and unavailabilities, the Suns have struggled to get their best side on park in the first four rounds.
Despite that, the Suns sit with a 3-1 record.
Suns coach Roger Hand said he was pretty happy with what the group was putting together.
“We’ve had a fair few missing and a few injuries,” he said. “We’ve been challenged and responded and I’m really happy.
“They played our way and we’ve got some good momentum up.”
On Saturday, the Suns faced an undefeated Albanvale side.
The two sides have built up a bit of a rivalry the past few years firstly in division 3, and now division 2.
Hand said speaking to the playing group it was a match they were always up for and one that was hard fought.
“We felt like there was a breeze and there were changes in momentum,” he said. “We were up for the challenge and they stuck with what we are trying to teach.
“We were able to run out the game better than Albanvale.”
The Cobras led at each of the three breaks, with the margin going from 20 points at quarter time to just six points at three quarter time.
The Suns kicked the only four goals of the final quarter to come away with the 14.18 (102)-12.9 (81) win.
Hand said the game plan they wanted to play was dependent on fitness and the work they had done had shown through.
Peter Tomelty, Patrick Hynes and Matthew Wright were the Suns best.
Hands said he felt like when they had their best side on the park they would be among the mix.
“Blake Jago was unavailable on the weekend and Dean Cachia has a calf injury,” he said of some of those missing.
“The first two or three rounds we didn’t have all recruits.”
Hand, who joined the side this season, said he expected it to take some time before it all comes together.
“We’ve got a new coach and new structure,” he said. “It’ll take some time and we want to be playing our best football at the back end of the season.”
Overall, Hand said things were tracking well at the club with massive buy-in from everyone wanting to make the Suns a stronger side and potentially a club that can head up through the grades.
The Suns face West Footscray this Saturday.
In other results, Wyndhamvale remains undefeated after beating Laverton, 21.17 (143)-8.7 (55).
Lewis Stanton kicked 11 goals for the Falcons.
Tarneit had a tough day out against Braybrook, losing 25.15 (165)-5.7 (37). Samuel Roberts, Connor Le Noury and Caleb Sciberras were the Titans best.
In division 1, Werribee Districts beat Caroline Springs, while Point Cook Centrals lost to Altona.
