[size=7]Sunshine's Eagles flying high[/size]
Local News24 May 11 @ 07:00am by Paula Maud

THE return of captain Benny Isai and striker Gazmend Ajdini will boost the North Sunshine Eagles as the Provisional 1 team tackles Premier League side Melbourne Knights next week.

The Eagles have punched above their weight through preceding rounds of the cross-league state challenge with a 1-0 win against State Division 2 team Williamstown, and more remarkably, a 2-1 victory against former Premier League team Altona Magic on April 27.

Eagles club secretary Michael Tapey said the underdog status was working for the players, who were proud to be building on their reputation as “giant-killers” while still meeting regular Provisional 1 fixture commitments.

“I would have thought they’d be tiring, but they’re not. They’re so excited about the comp they’re running on adrenalin . . and we’ve had no breakdowns,” Tapey said.

Both Tapey and committee member Mat Selimi agreed the club’s decision to forgo player payments last year was paying dividends on field. They said the decision had reduced friction and brought the players closer together.

“We decided, in order to develop a level of stability and strength within the club and the playing group, we needed to remove money as an enticing factor in selecting a squad,” Selimi said.

“We look after our players with weekly dinners, end-of-season trips and various functions throughout the year ... the morale levels have never been this high.”

The club is now in training for the 7.30pm Mirabella Cup match under lights next Tuesday, May 31 at Knight stadium in Sunshine North and hope their followers will be at the ground to cheer them on.

In another local Mirabella Cup stoush, State Division 1 team Sunshine George Cross will play Premier League team Green Gully Cavaliers at a venue yet to be confirmed on June 8.