South Melbourne, one of Victoria’s most respected football organisations, will travel up the Hume Hwy to dance with the Orangemen in Saturday’s friendly match.
It kicks off a smorgasbord of juicy pre-season fixtures over the coming weeks — a challenge coach Craig Carley cannot wait to relish.
“It’s always good to get top teams up to Shepparton for practice games,” Carley said.
“I would much prefer to get that level of competition rather than lower state league teams as I feel it gives a better reflection of where we are at in terms of overall fitness.
“We’re lucky this pre-season to have games against South Melbourne, Dandenong City next week and Oakleigh in early February.”
With a host of regular squad players unavailable for selection, Carley will seize the chance to blood youth against a star-studded South outfit.
“We have a young squad for the fixture and are probably missing up to nine first team players for the game which is a shame,” he said.
“But at the same time, this gives other players and trialists an opportunity to impress and stake a claim for a position in the squad for the season ahead.
“It’s also a great opportunity to get some of our younger players to test themselves against the best in the state.”
March 20 has been earmarked as the Suns’ first outing in the refined National Premier League Two competition.
While blessed with a luxury of adept youngsters at his disposal, Carley was similarly content with the rest of the roster's progress throughout pre-season as round one draws closer.
“Generally, I am happy with where we are at fitness-wise for this time of the year and the boys are buying in to the playing philosophy I am trying to implement,” he said.
“We have a great group of senior players and I’m very excited with the younger talent that’s coming through the club.
“It’s an exciting project and the long-term future looks very bright for the club.”
● Kickoff will commence at McEwen Reserve, Shepparton at 11am.
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