The Suns are taking on the challenges on and off the field in the Western Football League division 2 competition.
Looking to build on last season, the Suns have cemented themselves in the top six heading into the back part of the season
Coach Roger Hand said they were tracking along OK.
“We’ve had injuries and players away on holidays,” he said. “It’s mostly been injuries.
“Dean Cachia hurt his calf and hasn’t played since round two. Cameron Joyce is our best midfielder and he’s had to have a knee reconstruction.
“It’s more than we would have liked. We’ve been able to get a few results go our way with some decent football.
“We have a great test against West Footscray [this week]. It’s a huge game for us as we can level up in third spot and potentially secure a double chance.”
Hand said with having key players out, players who have played in the reserves have stepped up and played roles in the senior team to keep them competitive.
On Saturday, the Suns had a really strong performance against the Western Rams.
The Suns got the jump on the Rams with the only four goals in the first quarter.
With seven goals in the second quarter, the game was all but over at half time.
The Suns finished strongly to come away with an 18.25 (133)-6.12 (48).
Hand said the Rams were battling their own injury issues.
“The conditions were perfect for football,” he said.
“We controlled the game and defensively we’ve been really good the last couple of weeks.
“The guys have been working hard to stop the score against.”
Hand said their defence had been something they were really working on, having been easy to score against when playing good sides.
He said it was about getting a better balance, with the side’s scoring ability never being questioned.
“The last 18 teams to win the AFL premiership have been in the top five or six defensively,” he said.
“To win we need to work on that and they are getting the point and looking forward to those challenges against the better teams.
“We played Albanvale last week and they were higher on the ladder.”
Hamish Holmes kicked five goals and Patrick Hynes kicked four goals in the win against the Rams.
Both were named in the best along with Daniel O’Leary and Matthew Wright.
Hand said with the side sitting in fourth spot and in reach of the sides above it, a top three spot and double chance come finals would be really pleasing.
“It’s important for us to finish as high as we can,” he said. “We want the best chance to go as deep as we can in finals.
“Making finals would be a tick, winning one we would be really happy.
“A double chance and potentially playing Wyndhamvale in the second week of finals would be fantastic.”
In other results, Wyndhamvale beat Sunshine Heights, 26.17 (173)-7.4 (46) and Tarneit lost to Laverton, 25.20 (170)-8.2 (50).
