If the Orangemen wish to progress in this year’s competition, they won’t have a choice.
Football Victoria hosted its draws for round four and five of the Australia Cup on Tuesday afternoon, with the Suns pulling a home fixture against a National Premier League titan.
After the Suns were plucked out as ball 27, the next club to be named was Port Melbourne Sharks, a side ranked two tiers higher than the Suns, who ply their trade in the Victorian Premier League Two.
The last time the two sides met in competition fell during the Suns’ debut season in the NPL in 2014, where Port Melbourne claimed a 1-0 win, and though the Orangemen were relegated that season, the Sharks have not dropped out of the state’s top flight since.
Current Suns coach Craig Carley played that day and knows what the battle ahead entails, but there’s a factor he’ll take solace from heading into the round four Australia Cup clash.
Port Melbourne currently sits bottom of the NPL standings after seven games, boasting an abysmal record of one win, six losses and a negative 14 goal difference.
If anything, the Sharks’ poor form evens the odds.
Though the Suns reside two divisions below in the VPL2, a solid start consisting of three wins, two draws and two losses gusts some wind into Carley and co’s sails.
Add in the fact the Suns are undefeated at home, and the upcoming cup fixture - which must be played between April 8-19 - may not be as much a David versus Goliath storyline after all.
If the Suns are to progress in round four, their fifth round opponent will be the winner of Sydenham Park and Dandenong City.
