New dawn, same fire for Goulburn Valley Suns ahead of 2026 VPL2 campaign

The Orangemen’s run from sixth to the play-off final, before falling to Brunswick Juventus, has left a lingering feeling: unfinished business.

“Promotion is certainly the end goal for us this season,” coach Craig Carley said.

“The boys obviously understood how close we got last year and we probably lacked a bit of depth towards the end which I think we’ve got now in great numbers.

“Hopefully that can be a stepping stone to going one step closer.”

Last season proved what the Suns can become when momentum carries them.

The Orangemen head into 2026 having battled fierce opposition over a long and arduous pre-season - and now sharpened and ready, they’re read to hit the track for real.

“It’s been a heavy load in terms of pre-season,” Carley said.

“It’s always a difficult time to tell because it doesn’t have that competitive nature, but I think we’ve had a solid pre-season in regards to performances and results.”

Promotion remains the clear target, but Carley knows the road will be crowded.

Nothing comes easy in a brutally even league as 14 clubs all chase the same dream — but he knows what his side is capable of when firing on all cylinders.

“If we can be prepared and perform to our maximum potential we know we can beat any team in this league,” he said.

“It’s really exciting; I’m glad now that the season’s upon us and the hard work is done so hopefully we can just focus on the season ahead.”

Under the Saturday night lights of McEwen Reserve, the Suns will open their campaign against Whittlesea United, culminating months of pre-season graft with a revised band of Orangemen set to don the club crest.

Star forward Brandon Giaccherini (12 goals in 2025) has departed for Oakleigh Cannons, gun goalkeeper Ashton Bonsall has been lured to Heidelberg United and others have moved on.

Yet rather than recoil, the Suns have reloaded.

At the core remain English imports Callum Schorah and Danny Edwards, bolstering the engine room and adding creative pulse to the Suns’ final third.

“For us it was really important to lock in both Danny and Cal, who I thought were exceptional last year — they’re obviously two of our main players,” Carley said.

Around them, new colours have been woven into the fabric of the squad.

New Zealand striker Curtis Hughes arrives with a big motor and a keen eye for goal, while French centre-back Bryan Nyetam-Mawo has already stamped his authority as a leader since crossing over from Shepparton.

Former Perth Glory youth product Abias Bukuru adds X-factor and promise, and the familiar figure of Tutu Taya returns from Corio to anchor the backline once more.

“I’m happy with the squad and the players we’ve retained and recruited,” Carley said.

“The early signs have been good, there’s great depth in the squad so hopefully we can go a step closer than we did last year.”

If there’s a fixture that can immediately set the tone, Whittlesea is it.

The Suns split last year’s meetings with United — a draw and a loss — and Carley expects another physical, tactical battle despite Whittlesea appointing former Socceroo Ivan Franjic as coach.

“I think it’s going to be a very tough game - it always is with Whittlesea as they’re a very physical side,” he said.

“With Franjic coming in they’re trying to play a bit more football, but we go in well prepared for that.

“We know they’re a danger from set pieces, and if we can nullify some of their players - their new imports look of decent quality - I think we give ourselves every chance of getting the three points.”

GV Suns versus Whittlesea United kicks off at McEwen Reserve at 7pm on Saturday.