Quality recruits nearby

Damen Francis

May 17 2014

Shepparton News

Goulburn Valley Suns star Craig Carley says the club does not necessarily need to look beyond the Regional Premier League for reinforcements when the transfer window opens next month.

The Suns lie bottom of the National Premier Leagues table after eight rounds and changes are expected as they attempt to escape the bottom two and stave off relegation to NPL1 in their first season.

The departure of English import Josh Glover means there is at least one spot on the Suns’ roster to fill, but Carley said there was plenty of quality on the club’s doorstep.

‘‘Fingers crossed you’ll see a few boys come over in June,’’ Carley said.

‘‘I would like to see Adam Gatcum make the move from (Cobram) Tigers. I know he’s got his business as well, but when you look at experienced players like your Ivo Madeiras and Luke Slaters (both Cobram), they can certainly teach the boys a thing or two if they were to get involved.’’

As a consequence of the club’s hurried formation, the Suns are an intriguing mish-mash of proven quality and talented potential.

Much was expected of highly-touted Melbourne-based youth players Phil Petrovski, Stipo Andrijasevic, Hernan Espindola, Daniel Chaabani and Rudi Saglam and while consistency has been an issue, Carley could not fault any player’s effort at training or on match day.

‘‘It’s always going to be hard for those boys, because they’re seen as outsiders, but there has never been any issues with the playing group, they’re all friendly and welcoming and they’ve fitted in really well,’’ Carley said.

‘‘What people have to realise is these guys are still young men, they’ve come out of playing youth team football and I remember when I made the step up from youth team to senior football and it’s a hard transition.

‘‘It’s a lot more physical, the game is a lot faster and it’s going to take time for them to adjust to it, but they’ve certainly got the quality. There’s no doubt they’re all good enough to play at this level and beyond.’’

Carley also said the experience of A-League veterans Naum Sekulovski and Kristian Sarkies and Shepparton-raised Victorian Premier League regular Frankie Lagana had been invaluable.

‘‘They (Naum and Kristian) have been there, done that in the top level in the country, so we just look for them, myself included, to set the example,’’ he said.

‘‘It’s the same with Frankie. He’s a winner, the guy wants to win everything and you need those characters.’’