Tara Murray
Tarneit got a bit of an early reality check against the Suns in Western Region Football League division 2.
After a big win first up against North Sunshine, the match against the Suns presented a much tougher opposition.
Last season’s grand finalists showed they mean business, with a big 16.14 (110)-2.4 (16) win.
The Suns were wasteful early on, before finding momentum and were able to build throughout.
Speaking before the match, Tarneit coach Brent Sheean said this would give them a bit of an idea how they were tracking.
“North Sunshine is having a really challenging time right now,” he said. “It was how we went about the win and everything that we implemented in the off season.
“We ticked a lot of boxes, but we now have to do it against the stronger sides.
“The Suns are the winning benchmark. We’ll have a really good gauge about things.”
Sheean had been happy with how things had been tracking heading into the match after a really strong pre-season.
He said while they had looked to bring in some players, others had come down seeing that they were building something special.
“There’s been some positive signs so far,” he said.
“There’s been great numbers on the track. At times last year we struggled a bit for numbers throughout the year.
“We’ve been able to build and we’ve got some numbers with a number of blokes coming down to training and we’re building that depth.”
Sheean said there’s seven or eight additions to their senior side from last season, while they did lose three or four players.
He said they’ve also got a couple of players who are set to return from long term injuries in the next few weeks including Michael Scolaro
Michael Naawl is one new recruit having previously played Air force football.
Jason Sedulkis is one of the players to come across from Glen Orden, who will fill roles in the senior side.
Sheean said there had been some growth from within, with some different players pushing for senior spots.
After just missing finals last year, Sheehan said they were hoping to finish in the top four this year.
Sheean said overall the club is going really well.
“It’s a good place to be.”
In the other division 3 matches, Laverton beat North Sunshine and Sunshine Heights was too strong for West Footscray.
In division 1, Point Cook made it three from three with victory against the Yarraville Seddon Eagles, 12.11 (83)-7.9 (51).
Point Cook Centrals lost to Caroline Springs, 16.1 (107)-9.8 (62).
Werribee Districts hosts Hoppers Crossing on Anzac Day.
In division 2, Wyndhamvale beat Sunshine by a point, 11.11 (77)-11.10 (76).
