The time for Goulburn Valley Suns to rise is now with 2025 Victorian Premier League Two campaign about to begin

After sliding off the relegation chopping block in the nick of time last season, the Suns re-enter a cut-throat division where only the bold survive.

However, this time around, coach Craig Carley believes his team is built for the fight.

“I’m really, really proud of the squad we’ve been able to put together this year,” he said.

“It’s no secret that there’s been plenty of comings and goings for us, but we’ve created some serious depth within the squads all the way down, so I’m really excited to see how we go this season.

“I certainly believe we’ve assembled a squad capable of challenging for those promotion spots.

“Ultimately, it’s down to being consistent in performance, being brave when we are on the pitch and have the ball and how we deal with times of adversity as well.

“We need to keep the whole squad on the same page with that positive mindset and hopefully, that can lead us to a positive season.”

Game on

A facelifted Suns will fire the first salvo at McEwen Reserve, at home for their season opener against the battle-hardened Boroondara Eagles.

Right off the cuff, retribution is on offer.

Boroondara bested Carley’s charges 3-2 and 4-3 in their previous pair of meetings, worked over by a physical brand of football that Carley labelled as his side’s “Achilles heel” in 2024.

Long throws, aerial duels, relentless pressure; the Eagles are driving the bus right up route one on Saturday night.

“Boroondara are always a tough side, they’re strong, physical and like to get the ball forward quickly,” he said.

“We know exactly what they’re about from playing them over the years.

“They’ve strengthened well, got a couple of quality players on board.”

Among the Eagles’ top guns are English sharpshooter Connor Gaul and ex-Moreland City sniper Apai Ukuno, who will put a revamped Suns’ defence to the test.

The off-season was a whirlwind of movement - players coming, players going - but out of the chaos, Carley has forged a squad with genuine firepower and depth.

He insists this team isn’t just competitive - it’s capable of challenging for promotion.

“It’s going to be tough; there’s not an easy game at this level, and I think that’s the beauty of the competition. We need to turn up every single game,” he said.

“I truly believe that we are good enough to win every game we play - we certainly don’t go in to not win any game.

“We’re going for the three points, we’ll play on the front foot with an attacking brand of football, and we’ve got some quality footballers all the way through the squad to be able to compete.”

End goal

It’s well advertised that the VPL2 is a battleground where ambition meets attrition.

This season, the stakes have been raised.

The previous 12-team division has been expanded to 14, seeing six fresh opponents join the fold with a three-up, three-down promotion-relegation equation waiting at the end of the season.

If the Suns’ name is to be ushered in the former conversation, it’ll take a concerted effort from the entire 24-man squad with the key term being “buy in”.

Thankfully, the new band of Orangemen isn’t short of it.

“As the last few seasons have shown, those teams that do come up are going to be very strong,” Carley said.

“We just need to focus on our own game plan, our own style of play and I truly believe we can surprise a few teams this year.

“So far, the boys have been switched on to exactly what we want to do.

“They understand the project and vision of what we’re trying to achieve within the region, and it’s about time our club had some success.

“Hopefully, we can give the supporters and other local clubs something really positive to cheer us on this season.”

Last season, the Suns simmered.

Now, they’re ready to burn - and it all starts Saturday.