Young Suns prove worth

Matthew Galea

August 9 2014

Shepparton News

Goulburn Valley Suns will be looking to keep the good times rolling on the park tonight when Northcote City comes to town.

Since taking over the Suns’ reins, David Davkovski has doubled the Suns’ point tally with a win and two draws from his first four games, cultivating a strong club culture in the process.

The inclusion of several talented youngsters in achieving these results — namely Riley Hamilton, along with strong cameo roles from Joey Hogarty and Matt Gleeson — has been particularly heart-warming.

Davkovski said Gleeson and Hogarty were edging closer and closer to making their first starts, while another youngster — James Lelliott — could also be in line for a first start tonight.

Lelliott, a left-sided full-back, has impressed Davkovski in training during the past few weeks.

The Suns lost 3-0 to Northcote in round 10, but the side which will face Northcote this time is fuelled by a run of positive results and performances.

Davkovski said it was the latter which needed to continue.

‘‘For me, it’s still about getting these young boys out there and keeping them playing well,’’ Davkovski said.

‘‘The whole reason behind getting them in there is to salvage something from this season, and we feel like we’ve done that so far.

‘‘We stopped the bleeding and we’re doing it by developing some good young players.’’

Davkovski said the sheer speed of the National Premier Leagues Victoria competition was the hardest part for the youngsters to come to grips with, but he was happy with their progress.

Northcote arrives in Shepparton on the back of three games without a win. City lost 3-1 to Oakleigh Cannons last week, which followed consecutive 1-1 draws with South Melbourne and Dandenong Thunder.

The Suns are 12 points off survival with six games to go and a game in hand on 12th placed Dandenong Thunder, meaning points are a must for the Suns’ survival hopes to stay alive.