GV Suns 

Weekend game wraps

 Under 12s
 Tommy Giuliani

An outstanding performance to finish the NPL season for the 12s on Sunday against Oakleigh Cannons. These boys really deserved to finish on a high note.

In very windy conditions the boys really circulated the football well, showing a determination to retain possesion, play their first touch forward when they could or play the way they face and recycle. There were lots of little two touch combinations and their movement off the ball in possesion and out of possesion was top notch.

Our pressing and sliding/screening was very good and this allowed us to regain possesion very quickly. There was very little in the way of rash over committing and we always looked to show them "Outside". We were really compact in these moments and our transitions into a wide formation  when we won the ball back was really good to see. High tempo and intense- a collective defensive effort.

I want to thank the club, players and parents for this year. It's been an honour to coach these talented kids. I've given them all I could and I've asked them for their very best in every minute of training and nothing less. The intensity needs to be there at NPL level to perform. I hope they can appreciate why I've been tough at times on habits and "culture" in hindsight. Every player has been a delight to work with, the development has been immense and I congratulate them on the great year they've had.

Just a step on their journey, both as footballers and young men, a journey I'll continue to follow. Cheers??⚽️?

Under 13s
Matthew Lelliot

Last game of the season saw us enter the game with a couple of changes and trying a few players out of position, we started very very slow and we were down 2-0 after 25 mins. The last 5 mins of the half something changed and we completely dominated, kept possession and could have had 2 ourself. We started the same in the second half but couldn't find that goal as they scored another on the counter. Story of the season with us not taking our chances and letting in very easy goals.

Would like to thank all the players for their dedication and effort throughout the season and the parents for bringing them to trainings and games. A lot of talent in this age group and we saw glimpses of what they're capable of throughout the season, hopefully some more wins on the board to match some of our performances next season. We move onto the AFS tournament where we will be going out to win it for our region. Go Suns! 

 Under 14s
 Nathan Saron & James Lelliot

Round 15 Vs Oakleigh Cannons FC The boys gave it their best this weekend but were beaten by 2nd on the ladder. The score at half time was 0-4 from which we were not able to recover from and finished the game 0-5.
 

Thanks to Lachie this week and all the other U13's that stepped up to play for us this season.

Thankyou to James and Luba for your time and effort this year.

Thanks Shaban and Reno all the best for next season. GO GV SUNS

Under 15s
Glen Wilson 

Once again at training during the week we worked on retaining the ball and attacking from wide areas.

Our game on Sunday saw us very slow out of the blocks. Probably the second worst start we had all season behind the away game to Northcote City. We were 2 goals down after 15 minutes and had hardly had any ball possession to speak of. From this point on, we managed to work our way into the game and we're even able to craft together a lovely set of consecutive passes that was clinically put away by Alou before the half time break.

At the break we spoke about looking after the ball a lot more and not take risky options when playing out from the back. Our performance in the second half was significantly better and we played the ball forward to create opportunities that unfortunately we were unable to convert to the scoreboard.
The end result a 2 - 1 loss.

All in all, it was the story of the season, patches of really positive play but an inability to take enough chances up front.  Whilst a simple error here or there in the back third cost us dearly.

Throughout the season we used 23 players and this instability to on field team structure of the playing group is not ideal when it comes to on pitch results.  But more importantly the way we played was always improving and the lads should be proud that they well and truly earned the RESPECT that we spoke about so much.

Under 16s
Paul Nieuwenhuizen

I would like to start of by saying a big thanks to the following under 16 players who each week turned up to play despite the lack of numbers. Alou, Willie, Jayden, Thomas, Charlie, Ali & Hammad.

Sunday saw the boys finish the season on a high with a great 2-2 draw with Oakleigh who were pushing to finish 2nd on the ladder.

The first half was an even affair with both sides creating a number of chances with neither team capitalising. It also saw the Suns ride its luck a number of times as players pushed forward trying to make the most of the chances and leaving large holes in the defence. Halftime saw the game level at 0-0.

The halftime talk went along the lines of, maintain your shape/positions, keep creating chances and enjoy the last 40 minutes.

The 2nd half began like the first with chances created at either end. We soon found ourselves 1-0 down from a fast break by Oakleigh after nearly scoring at the other end. Despite this setback we continued to attack and were rewarded with a goal to Kaine after some fantastic pressure on the Oakleigh defence. The game then changed again with goals scored in quick succession by both teams. The Suns equaliser came from a shot from 20 metres out by Fraser rounded off a great game by him.

The leadership from Charlie, Hammad and Willie in the middle of the park ensured that the score remained 2-2 all even with the team tiring.

A thanks to the following under 15 players who stepped straight back onto the pitch after just playing. Fraser Gosstray, Kaine Humphries, Jordan Leocata, Hamish Sweeny, Vince Barca & Callan Le.

I would like to say thank you to the following players who also helped make up the numbers throughout the year. Under 15s: Bowdie Chandler, Nick Elder, Thomas Raditsas, Conor Dodson, Lucas Enders, Liam Kielty and Kubilay (Hakan) Karhan.  Under 14s: Fergus Wilson, Stefan Pigatto, Thomas Stojanovski and Darcy Keck

Again the players showed that they have the quality to compete with the big clubs from Melbourne. 

Under 18s
Pat Kielty & Shaban Mehmet


Our final game ended with a 2-2 draw against a very good Oakleigh team who were hoping to finish in second spot if they had won.

We scored two goals from open play through Rocky and Todd - Rocky will tell you how good his goal was if your silly enough to ask. They had two penalty’s awarded, one was very dubious.  

It was a physical game with some robust challenges and 10 yellow cards shown. Our team fought for every ball and everyone put in 100%. I suspect that Oakleigh got quite a shock given our respective  positions on the league table which probably explains why they were moaning so much and I imagine they didn’t expect this result.

Either team could have won it and a draw was probably a fair outcome. Our recent results show just how much we have improved as a team, the only thing that hasn’t got better is the team spirit because from the first game of the season and despite all the challenges it has been excellent.

This group of boys - and I also include the 15’s, 16’s and 20’s that regularly helped out - have given 100%, never given up, supported each other throughout the season and worked for each other. Its been a challenging season especially with player numbers, but look what we can do when we have a proper team of fresh players - we are competitive with the best teams in the league and fear no one.

Well done for the season boys. Thanks to Willie, Hammad, Alou and Charlie form the 16’s and Rocky, Todd and Makuach form the 20’s for playing this game. Next season will bring more challenges but the boys in this team are more than capable of playing competitive football against the best the league has to offer.