Elegant football appropriately graced the carpet-like surface at McEwen Reserve, Shepparton, with one of Melbourne’s finest footballing aristocracies ousting the Orangemen 3-0 in a game for the fans.
Heading into the match, depleted senior stocks meant a sole solution remained for Suns coach Craig Carley; youth.
Granting starts to a host of teenage talent, Carley was instantly repaid as 16-year-old Garang Kuol swivelled inside with a deft touch, leaving his man for dead and drawing a foul with his first involvement.
It was a similar impact from partner in crime Brandon Giaccherini, who looked far from out of place up front against the National Premier League heavyweight.
While the Suns matched South in the opening exchanges, chances were few and far between for both sides.
Finishing the first half at nil-all, South Melbourne emerged from the sheds with a reshuffled 11.
Knocking the ball around metronomically, the away side monopolised possession and began to exploit chinks in the Suns’ defensive half.
Something had to give, and on the hour mark, it did.
A defensive lapse from a Suns’ goal kick gifted the travellers the ascendancy, with Daniel Clark whipping the ball off the post and in from 10 yards out.
The pressure kept mounting, and 15 minutes later, it was two.
South Melbourne’s surging counter resulted in a botched last-ditch tackle, leaving referee Jake Keating no choice but to point to the spot.
Star winger Gerrie Sylaidos converted with aplomb, slamming the ball into the bottom left corner.
In an attempt to revitalise the contest, Giaccherini’s sprayed shot on goal was the only real chance carved out by the Orangemen late in the piece.
And as it drew to a close, South Melbourne’s Henry Hore finished the game off in style with a cool side-footed effort to make it three.
● The Suns’ next pre-season encounter comes against Dandenong City at McEwen Reserve this Saturday.
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