2019 RECAP
It was a slight fall from grace for East Sunbury in 2019 after almost going all the way in the Grand Final the year before.
Jacana's withdrawal from the competition after Round 7 caused havoc on East Sunbury's fixture, resulting in a three-week gap between games through May and June.
With a sluggish 2-4 record going into the unexpected long break, the Thunder struggled to re-capture the momentum that got it to the 2018 decider and had ongoing issues finding consistent avenues to goal, ending the year with just six wins.
BEST & FAIREST TOP FIVE
1st - Tom Cree*
2nd - Lucas Shaw
3rd - Shane Lindsay
4th - Kamen Ogilvie
5th - Tom Godsell
GOAL KICKING TOP FIVE
24 - Kane Murfett
14 - Kamen Ogilvie
13 - Callum Lever
12 - Tom Galea
11 - Lucas Shaw
STRATHMORE COMMUNITY BANK DIVISION TWO TEAM OF THE YEAR
Tom Cree* (back pocket)
Lucas Shaw (half back flank)
Kamen Ogilvie (wing)
*players not returning in 2020
2020 PREVIEW
Coach: Glenn Hopkins (3rd season)
LIST CHANGES / LODGED TRANSFERS
In: Joel Butler (Tallangatta), Ryan Peters (Diggers Rest), Jake Cronin (Greenvale), Nathan Mills (Riddell), Jack Dillon (Sunbury Lions) & Tom Evans (Diggers Rest)
Out: Tom Cree (Sunbury Lions) & James Ellis (Campbells Creek)
EDFL MEDIA SAYS
East Sunbury is a side yearning for some more experience in its best 22 and despite losing arguably its best player in Tom Cree, the Thunder has done pretty well with its recruiting haul over the summer.
Joel Butler and Tom Evans will help bolster the midfield, key defender Ryan Peters will be important down back and the likes of Jake Cronin and Jack Dillon will hopefully fit nicely into the line-up alongside established stars Kamen Ogilvie and Lucas Shaw.
Provided East Sunbury can establish some continuity with its form and improve its scoring prowess in the early rounds, don't be surprised if the 2018 grand finalist re-captures its spark of two seasons ago and potentially makes a run for Windy Hill later this year.
