Greater Shepparton City Council chief executive Fiona Le Gassick, Goulburn Valley Suns operations manager Jacqui Stojanovski, Suns coach Craig Carley, Melbourne Victory managing director Caroline Carnegie, Mayor Shane Sali, Suns players Jack Wardle and Jonathan Pithoulas.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Mark your calendars for September 7 — an unmissable football spectacle is coming to town.
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Four-time A-League Men’s championship-winning franchise Melbourne Victory will arrive at McEwen Reserve to take on Goulburn Valley Suns in an exhibition match for the ages, marking the first time in 15 years since the football giant was last in Shepparton.
Meticulously organised over a number of years, the game’s announcement was made on Monday morning at the venue that, in less than a month’s time, is expected to teem with football fans lining up for a top-calibre battle..
It’s a David and Goliath clash — our local heroes taking on the pros.
City of Greater Shepparton Mayor Shane Sali embraced the event, praising the efforts of those who’ve worked behind the scenes to bring this dream match to life.
“I do want to compliment the team behind the scenes, our events team, that obviously works so hard to bring these really affordable events to our community that are really accessible,” he said.
“We hope all family members can make their way down to Shepparton Sports City on Saturday, September 7 for a 6.30pm kick off versus the GV Suns, Melbourne Victory — it doesn’t get much bigger than that.
“I think what’s been noted as well through our discussions with Melbourne Victory is that they just don’t go to any venue.
“You’ve got to be able to have these types of facilities, you’ve got to have a grandstand to cater for these types of events to take place and to welcome arguably the biggest football (soccer) team in the country.”
Melbourne Victory managing director Caroline Carnegie built on Sali’s statement, iterating the club’s mission to show face all across the state.
The announcement of the GV Suns versus Melbourne Victory match is a massive coup for football in the region.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
“On behalf of Melbourne Victory, we are just so thrilled to be here today to announce that we’re coming for a pre-season friendly,” she said.
“From our perspective, we’ve always wanted to be a club that looks to lead, unite, connect and inspire individuals through football.
“It’s also very important to us that Melbourne Victory (is) the club for all Victorians, and we can’t be the club for all Victorians if we don’t have a presence in regional Victoria.
“To be here and to be part of that, we’re enormously proud. This is the start of it, but we’re going to be working together — I hope — for a long time into the future.”
Melbourne Victory last graced Shepparton in 2009 at Deakin Reserve, facing the cream of the Victorian Premier League crop in the final match of a tri-series.
However, an opportunity of this magnitude has never swung the Suns’ way before.
Recognising the monumental nature of the event, GV Suns operations manager Jacqui Stojanovski expressed great gratitude for the opportunity to face off against “the biggest club in the country”.
“We’re very excited to be able to be included in this match,” she said.
“Our affiliation with Melbourne Victory has been around for quite a little while — we’re a Club Victory club here at the GV Suns — and we are so thankful to be awarded this opportunity to have the biggest club in the country come down and take on our local talent.
“It’s an opportunity for us to showcase what we have here at the GV Suns, our local talent — we are the pathway for youngsters to come through into the professional system and we’re so excited to showcase that (and) our fantastic facilities here at Shepparton Sports City.
“Our boys, they love a big game and there is not going to be one bigger than this one.”
GV Suns’ Jonathan Pithoulas (left) and Jack Wardle (right) will have the chance to test their mettle against one of Australia’s biggest clubs next month.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
One man who knows all too well about big games is Suns coach Craig Carley.
Despite his wealth of big-game experience, Carley faces his most thrilling challenge yet: leading his team to victory against Victory in less than a month — a surreal “pinch me” moment for the club stalwart.
“It’s always an honour to play one of the biggest teams in the country, and it’s a brilliant opportunity to showcase some of our players and the qualities that they have against arguably the best outfit in the country,” he said.
“Just bringing people from all cultures and backgrounds; for them to see a top quality outfit and see how our boys go against that quality, it just shows how resilient the community and club is, and football in the region in general.”
ˑSali noted that ticket prices would be finalised in the coming fortnight, with admissions through the ticketing website Try Booking
