‘We’re starting to get there’: GV Suns down Bendigo City in first pre-season hit-out

By Daniel Webb

Jan 24, 2023

On the score sheet: Goulburn Valley Suns' Brandon Giaccherini found the back of the net on Friday night. Photo by Lynne Weir

A refreshed Goulburn Valley Suns began their 2023 pre-season in the best way possible on Friday night, downing Bendigo City 4-2.

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Taking to Shepparton’s McEwen Reserve for the side’s first hit-out of the year, the home team sported a stylish white kit for the gala evening of matches.

Following fixtures between the club’s youth teams, the Suns’ senior men showed plenty of positive signs against City, with minutes shared among the playing group.

Import Taku Hishida joined Brandon Giaccherini on the score sheet with a goal, while Rocco Papalia scored a brace.

Suns coach Craig Carley said it was a good exercise for the side.

“It was our first game of competitive minutes, so I thought it was a really good occasion,” Carley said.

“Plenty of people came down to support which was great and it was good to get 45 minutes into everyone’s legs, it’s obviously good to just play a semi-competitive game albeit a pre-season friendly.”

Dancing feet: Goulburn Valley Suns' Taku Hishida looks to beat an opponent. Photo by Lynne Weir

While Carley admitted the side was a long way from a finished product he took plenty away from the match.

One major takeaway from the clash was Hishida getting minutes into his legs, while Joe Adoo-Peters — who landed in Australia on Sunday — is sure to be one to watch when he hits the pitch.

"He (Adoo-Peters) is a six-foot-four centre back, so he’ll certainly add some steel to the backline and we’re starting to get there in terms of all the players,“ Carley said.

“We’re really happy with where we’re at for this time of year.”

Pencilled in to take on a Shepparton All-Stars outfit on Wednesday night at McEwen Reserve and Altona City on Saturday, the Suns squad is set to continue to evolve as the season approaches.