Goulburn Valley Suns eye off the 2024 Victorian Premier League Two season

A new season means new ambitions, complete with a fresh cast of players ready to walk the walk under the lights at the Theatre of Dreams in Shepparton on Saturday night.

Fresh blood

New frontman Justin Riescher has arrived with much expectation from the United States, the Dalton State striker winning all there is to win within the Southern States Athletic Conference.

Reischer, a speedy and technical number nine, received All-American honours on three occasions and All-SSAC four times.

He lands Down Under alongside Dalton State alum and central defender Noah Cicoria, who has impressed in pre-season.

It is hoped the duo can fill the mammoth holes left by last season’s rangy imports Russell Currie (15 league goals) and Joe Adoo-Peters following their exit to Caroline Springs George Cross.

Between the sticks, the Suns have fortified the goalkeeper spot with Japanese shot-stopper Niki Kitabatake, who transfers from Ballarat City.

Midfield technician Callum Schorah bolsters the attack, the Englishman making waves in orange since making his way down from City of Liverpool FC.

Ex-Shepparton South pair Sean Grant and Jake Rumble round out the list of recruits, while the Suns’ other notable outages apart from Currie and Adoo-Peters include Taku Hishida, Jake Angelovski, Jake Brocklebank and Willie Sauiluma.

Promotion push

The Suns had the world at their feet last season.

With six wins, two draws and three losses at the midway mark, Craig Carley’s charges were at short odds to plunder the second half of the campaign and return to Victoria’s second tier.

But as injuries and suspension woes seeped in, so did unrest.

The Orangemen sidled up in fourth at the competition’s conclusion, four agonising points adrift of a promotion spot.

After examining the fixture slate, it appears the run home will once again determine whether the Suns can lift themselves back into the league above.

Out of the opening eight VPL2 matches, six are at McEwen Reserve.

However, following the friendly start to the campaign, the Suns will embark on a gruelling stretch of seven straight away games through the middle and towards the back end of the season.

The Suns’ 2023 away record (three wins, four draws, four losses) was neither exemplary nor egregious.

However, the acid test of the Orangemen’s moxie will undoubtedly come between rounds nine and 15.

Royal rumble

Sure, whispers of promotion get the blood pumping.

However, the Suns are out to hit the ground running first up in round one against Essendon Royals.

Saturday pits the two powers toe-to-toe and after pardoning the Royals twice in their last pair of outings, Carley’s men hold current bragging rights.

However Essendon has reined in the services of several high profile players from National Premier League factions and has also retained Tatura product and former A-League servant Vince Lia.

For the Suns, a new figure has been welcomed into the inner circle, with ex-Shepparton South coach Robert Harmeston coming on board as an assistant.

The return of night games also adds an element of spice to the mix, with all signs pointing to a bumper display of football come Saturday night.