Young Suns show fight and light up night

Matthew Galea

September 9 2014

Shepparton News

There was a bit of reward for effort for Goulburn Valley Suns’ under-20 side on Saturday night.

The Suns won 4-1 against Dandenong Thunder after another disaster start had coach Serkan Aktas fearing the worst yet again.

With players regularly being called up to the seniors, it has been a tough month for the young Suns.

With Riley Hamilton and Hussein Sumaili required for senior action, both were lost to the 20s, with Joey Hogarty and Geordie Lelliott having to back up in the seniors after their 20s duties, Aktas had to field seven players eligible for the Suns’ under-16 side.

Youth and relative inexperience was not a factor on this occasion.

Thunder took the lead 10 minutes into the contest when they took advantage of a Suns’ defensive error.

But while in previous weeks early concessions have led to thrashings, this week it simply galvanised the Suns.

Rocky Papalia equalised for the Suns minutes after Thunder took the lead and Hogarty notched the first of three with a stunning long-range strike that nestled in the top corner just before half-time.

Hogarty added a second after a fine solo run and beautiful finish from the by-line and then got his third with another well-struck effort.

Aktas said the improvement in Hogarty’s game since playing in the seniors was clear to see when he dropped back down to under-20 level.

‘‘He’s got a different presence about him now,’’ Aktas said.

‘‘He’s playing with a lot more confidence and he feels like he belongs in the seniors.’’

Hogarty’s fellow senior player Lelliott also impressed before being given a run in the seniors.

The return of tall-man Mohammed Al-Gazaly was another big in for the Suns, while keeper Jake Keating had his best game of the season.

Aktas said the result proved that when the Suns could get their best 20s team on the park, they were a top-five outfit.

‘‘I don’t think results matter much at this level, it’s more about making sure the guys are ready if they get the call up,’’ Aktas said.

‘‘We’ve had at least seven kids go up and play seniors, so I think that’s a fair endorsement of our work.’’