Depleted Suns will learn from tough lesson Gully dished out

Matthew Galea

July 22 2014

Shepparton News

Goulburn Valley Suns’ under-20 side was taught a tough lesson against the table-topping Green Gully side on Saturday night.

Gully cut the Suns open in the first half to take a 3-0 lead into half-time and eventually won 5-0.

Goulburn Valley was forced to field a depleted side after a number of late withdrawals, including Riley Hamilton, who was called up to play for the seniors.

Rocky Papalia, 15, fought hard up front against a taller and more experienced backline, while Justin Cirillo continued his own good form with a strong, battling performance to keep up his personal improvement.

‘‘He’s come a long way since the start of the season,’’ coach Serkan Aktas said.

‘‘He’s starting to man up physically and his effort on the training track and in the games has been fantastic.’’

The improvement has been helped by training with the seniors, which Aktas said had given all the players a new-found drive.

‘‘They’re getting a sniff and training alongside the likes of Simon Colosimo and Naum Sekulovski and they’re loving it,’’ Aktas said.

‘‘(Senior coach) Dave (Davkovski) has reassured them all that they’ll get their chance if they’re good enough and I think that’s what we needed as a team.’’

Hamilton’s start for the Suns was a timely reminder opportunities will be given.

‘‘We were all so pleased for Riley. For him to start for the seniors in front of a good home crowd was fantastic,’’ Aktas said.

‘‘Joey Hogarty and Hussein (Sumaili) were out injured as well and four of the boys were still fasting, which didn’t help, but the boys didn’t disgrace themselves.

‘‘It was just a steep learning curve for them and one they’ll be better for.’’