SUNRAYSIA 15.14 (104)
NORTH CENTRAL 12.6 (78)
GOALS: SFNL: Z. Nelson, J. Carmichael, F. Ellis Castle, J. Dean 2, B. Vallance C. Davison, A. Rowe, D. Tung, N. Mee, J. Cottrell, L. Hickey. NC: W. Sheahan 3, W. Simpson, T. Campbell 2, J. Summerhayes, A. Zuk, W. Donnan, M. McEwen, B. McInnes.
BEST: SFNL: J. McNally, C. Davison, J. McEwen, F. Ellis Castle, N. Mee, J. Cottrell. NC: R. O’Sullivan, K. Donnan, J. Orsengren, J. Poulton, T. Donnan, T. Campbell.By Mitch Rodd
IT’S not just now that Don Falvo wanted to prepare his Sunraysia squad for, it’s also the future.
It looks bright in the green and gold as the Sunraysia outfit did the business in Sea Lake against North Central by 26 points, cementing their first AFL Victoria Championship win since 2012.
A passionate coach Falvo pleaded with his troops to give it their all at every stage, akin to how a leader would in a grand final for their club.
Sunraysia heeded his words and while it wasn’t highlight-reel football, it was a rough-and-tough game which both sides seemed to excel at.
There were 12 first-time Sunraysia players taking to the field, including Mildura teenager Finn Ellis Castle, who was a late replacement for Irymple’s Nick Pezzaniti.
It was veteran forward Jarrod McNally who pulled the strings for most of the day, winning Sunraysia’s best-on-ground award and making his presence felt across the park.
Falvo also believed a number of young guns adapted well to representative footy, nominating the likes of Jack Cottrell, Cambell Davison, Josh Carmichael and Dom Scullino, among others, as the future of Sunraysia.
“These are players of the future. If we can get this interleague exposure to these kinds of guys, then over the next five to 10 years we can be dominant again,” he said.
“It’s great just for the efforts of the lads for the last month. We set our sights to win this and it’s come off which is good. I’m just really proud of the guys the way they chipped in today and got the job done.
“We actually spoke about before the game, our league is well renowned for the contested footy and that’s what we wanted to win. I think we did that. I’d rather win a game like that than it being a free-flowing shootout of 25 goals. I’m really proud of what the boys did and they can take that back to their home clubs and pass the experience back on to their teammates.”
SFNL recruits Daniel Tung (Merbein) and Jackson McEwen (South Mildura) provided endless class on a blustery day, while captain Nick Mee and Irymple teammate Zac Wandin were poised across half-back.
North Central’s veteran ruckman Ryan O’ Sullivan, was awarded his side’s best-on-ground medal, however Falvo believed his ruck trio of Reece McNally, Luke Hickey and a pinch-hitting Ellis Castle matched him around the ground.
Sea Lake Nandaly’s Donnan brothers – Wade, Kane and Trent – were all influential at times for the red and white, while young forward Will Sheahan showed plenty on his way to three goals, the most of any on the ground.
Falvo, who represented Sunraysia on multiple occasions during his glittering SFNL career, said it was a change to be in the coaches dug-out instead of on the field.
“You do what you can preparation-wise as a coach, but you still can’t get out there to help,” he said.
“I was very nervous before the game but you put your faith in the boys. I’d love to be out there playing but I don’t think I could do it any more. But I’m just so proud of these boys. We’re looking to the future.
“I don’t want to pre-empt anything but we’ve got that new complex going up in town and if we can get a pre-season game against an SANFL club or something like that and if we can showcase our talent, we’re halfway there.
“We had a few guys missing … but hopefully next year they’ll jump on board and be part of it and get the buzz back for interleague footy.”
