In a show of fierce resolve Goulburn Valley Suns dragged themselves off the proverbial canvas and fought back to claim a monumental victory over Essendon Royals on Saturday.
The Suns trailed by two goals early in the second half, but threw a series of haymakers to fell the Royals and exit McEwen Reserve with all three points.
Proud of his side’s grit when staring down the barrel of defeat, coach Craig Carley said the win was an example of what the Suns were about this season.
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Welcome back: Royals’ Vince Lia. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 2 of 8
Switch it up: Suns’ Darcy Pawlik. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 3 of 8
Keep it moving: Suns’ Joe Adoo-Peters. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 4 of 8
Up we go: Suns’ Greg Nash. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 5 of 8
Pull the trigger: Suns’ Brandon Giaccherini. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 6 of 8
Midfield duel: Suns’ Matt Lelliott contests with Royals’ Vince Lia. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 7 of 8
Proud moment: Mimmo Lia was in the crowd to watch his son Vince play for the Royals. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 8 of 8
Super sub: Tuta Taya helped kick start the Suns’ comeback on Saturday. Photo by Rechelle Zammit“I think the boys were a bit relieved to get the three points,” he said.
“We obviously knew that it was two silly errors which cost us both goals, so I thought it showed great fighting spirit and it sums up the group and the morale around the club at the moment.
“Fair play to the boys, they put on an excellent display and I’m just rapt for the whole club. The response from the substitutions that came on as well (was great), it was a real team effort.”
In a storied homecoming for Tatura export Vince Lia, the Royals scored against the run of play midway through the first half when Suns keeper Alexander Georgopoulos scythed down Dean Clarke inside the box.
Clarke stepped up and converted from the spot, giving the travellers a 1-0 lead heading into the sheds.
The buffer would be extended early in the second term courtesy of a calamitous error when Suns midfielder Jake Brocklebank collided with Georgopoulos in a loose ball mix up and Royal Nobuyuki Usui was there to tap it home.
A response was needed, but even the crowd didn’t expect what ensued.
Carley initiated a triple substitution, and Tutu Taya’s impact off the bench was immediate as he sent a long ball over the top for Russell Currie who leathered it on the half volley, onto the crossbar and in.
Fellow substitute Elijah Brooker then squared the ledger as he converted Taku Hishida’s cutback, and the comeback was completed in the 70th minute as Brandon Giaccherini steamed in at the back post to blast home Currie’s low cross.
Giaccherini’s red card in the dying stages tightened the match up a notch, and though his ban is sure to create some selection headaches for the Suns’ next fixture, Carley is buoyant about the squad depth, which was on full display against the Royals.
“We’ve got some really good depth coming through the club at the moment, not only in the senior squad but also in the under-21s as well,” he said.
“They’ve won five on the bounce which shows the quality coming through. It just shows that everyone is champing at the bit to play senior football.
“As much as it’s a hard decision, it’s also a great position for me to be in to have that quality to select from - I feel really privileged that the club is in this position at the moment.”
In the under-21 fixture, goals from Willie Sauiluma and Taya sealed a 2-1 win for the Suns.
The side is yet to lose and now sits in top spot alongside Melbourne Victory youth on 15 points.