Affiliated:  VFA 1959-1989

Colours:  Navy blue and white

Emblem:  Crows

Premierships:  2nd Division - 1971 (1 total)

J.J.Liston Trophy winners: D.McKenzie 1972; R.Goold 1974 (2 total)

J.Field Trophy winners: P.Fitzgerald 1961; S.Crosbie 1964; M.Williams 1982 (3 total)

Highest Score: 36.20 (236) vs. Camberwell in 1969

Sunshine was admitted to the VFA in March 1959 following Prahran's expulsion (which is discussed in greater detail here) and, with only a matter of weeks to come to terms with being in the 'big League', did surprisingly well to record 6 wins from 20 games in its debut season.

The Crows made their VFA finals debut in 2nd Division (see footnote 1) in 1963 when, somewhat ironically, they were eliminated from premiership contention by Prahran, which had since had its membership of the competition restored.  The following season, however, Sunshine had a formidable line-up which could, and probably should, have won the flag.  After topping the ladder going into the finals, the Crows duly accounted for Mordialloc in the 2nd semi final and went into the grand final against Geelong West as the warmest of favourites, only to succumb meekly by 21 points.  The Crows were coached at this time by former Fitzroy full back Bob Henderson who had a knack of making the most from the ostensibly meagre playing resources available to him, and who was responsible for transforming Sunshine from a team of easybeats into one worthy of respect. 

Five years later, in 1969, Sunshine again went within an ace of clinching the 2nd Division pennant after going straight into the grand final courtesy of a 2nd semi final win over Coburg.  However, Williamstown had the Crows' measure in the 'big one'.

After running 3rd in 1970, Sunshine appointed former Footscray player Don McKenzie as captain-coach the following year and the players responded by qualifying for the 2nd division finals for the ninth straight time before winning the premiership, and promotion to 1st Division, in style.  Only 3 losses were sustained all year, and on grand final day the Crows overwhelmed Brunswick in devastating fashion, 22.26 (158) to 16.8 (104) at Toorak Park.

Sunshine only lasted a couple of seasons in the elite division and, despite reaching 2nd Division grand finals in 1986 and 1988, was destined never again to secure premiership honours.  For much of its time in the VFA the club suffered from financial woes, and 8 matches into the 1989 season these finally got the better of it and it was forced to withdraw from the competition. 

Famous players to have represented the Crows included Alan McKenzie, Pat Fitzgerald, Brian Trezise, Ray Goold, Michael 'Shaun' Crosbie and George Allen who, with 99 2nd division goals in 1969 and 80 the following year, was the only Sunshine player ever to top the VFA's goalkicking list in either division.

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Footnotes

1. The VFA instituted a two division format in 1961.  Return to Main Text