Suns face Devil of a time

March 29 2014

Shepparton News

A new sporting rivalry begins at Shepparton’s McEwen Reserve tonight, when Goulburn Valley Suns hosts Ballarat Red Devils in the first National Premier League regional derby.

While the two clubs are more than 200 km apart, they are the only sides outside metropolitan Victoria drawn in the top tier of the newly-formed competition.

Both coaches played down the rivalry aspect of the clash, but Suns adviser Melvyn Wilkes has not neglected his homework.

‘‘They have one reasonable centre back, who is strong, the other one we’re led to believe is a little less-equipped,’’ Wilkes said.

‘‘They’ve got a lad in midfield who is decent on the ball and they’re going to press us for 30-35 minutes and then they’ll start to drop off.

‘‘We need to make sure we weather the storm, be a little bit more lively with the ball and shift it a bit quicker and when they drop off we’ve got to be a little bit more patient and try to open them up when we can.’’

The Suns lost their NPL debut to Oakleigh 1-0 two weeks ago, but the side is developing rapidly, with only Kristian Sarkies missing from the first-team squad at training on Thursday night.

Wilkes led a session of pragmatic, game-based scenarios, followed by set-piece work.

The Suns are likely to make two changes to last week’s starting XI, with Fahed Alghazaly (shoulder) and Craig Carley (knee) likely to start on the bench.

Stipo Andrijasevic is tipped to lead the line if Carley is left out.

Daniel Chaabani could start on his Suns debut and Cody Sellwood is in the mix to replace Carley.

Late signing Frankie Lagana had ice on his calf on Thursday night and it remains to be seen what, if any, involvement he has tonight.

The Red Devils’ first league game was postponed due to wet weather, but they turned heads with a spirited 2-1 defeat to Green Gully Cavaliers in the Dockerty Cup last weekend.

The visitors will be without injured playing coach James Robinson, while talented midfielder Dane Milovanovic is serving a one-match suspension.

English centre back Danny O’Donnell — an ex-Liverpool under-18 captain and senior squad member with the English Premier League giant — has been cleared in time to play.

‘‘It’s always good to have a rivalry and a little derby and to generate that feel, but we approach it like it’s just another game,’’ Robinson said.

‘‘We’re a new outfit, so basically we will be organised and we’ll see where it takes us.

‘‘The boys’ attitude has been fantastic, we’ve jumped up a few leagues, but the reality of it is we will be competitive.’’

Kick-off is 6.30 pm.