New Suns set to light up McEwen as NPL2 season dawns

“We’re loving it so far,” Meaney, who will slot into the Suns’ set-up as a striker, said.

“The club have been unbelievable since we stepped off the plane, everyone has just been so welcoming, the players, the town, there’s a great buzz about the club and we’re really looking forward to starting the season now.”

The two arrive at the Suns with extensive footballing resumes; Whelan, an accomplished defender who has enjoyed successful stints at the Division One California State University and Irish First Division side Dundalk FC, and Meaney, a clinical finisher who has netted an abundance of goals in his distinguished League of Ireland career.

As is to be expected, an adjustment to playing in the climate down-under has taken some getting used to, as they grow accustomed to an entirely new footballing environment.

“It’s been really good — the heat was challenging initially,” Whelan said.

“But we’re really looking forward to the season now, to try and gauge what playing in NPL2 is really like, we’ve played all the practice games, but you really want to get into what the actual standard is like and test yourself.”

That starts tomorrow, when the Suns meet Manningham United Blues at McEwen Reserve, Shepparton, for the season curtain-raiser.

“The main thing is — we’re taking it one game at a time,” Meaney said.

“We’ll be trying to get as far up the table as we can, hopefully we can get to NPL1, but it’s one game at a time.”

The injection of international talent has Suns fans excited as to how far this side can go, with a top-two finish and NPL1 promotion an obvious next step for this exciting group.

“It’s definitely the ambition, but it is absolutely focused on getting off to a good start,” Whelan said.

“The focus is on this weekend and focusing on ourselves and taking control of everything that we can.

“I think that’s a really exciting way of approaching the season, because you don’t have to worry about anything past this week, just win this Saturday.”

Suns coach Craig Carley has been tasked with shuffling his side to welcome his new signings, who were full of praise for his tactical nous.

“Having Craig, he’s obviously English and has had a great career in England and over here — he’s well-known here and he’s a striker as well which has been a huge help for me,” Meaney said.

With Meaney offering Carley a new option up top, Whelan slots into the Suns’ backline, giving the men in orange a boost at either end of the pitch.

“The support from the coaches around playing out from the back has been superb,” Whelan said.

“We’ve tried a few different formations this season and that’s cool as well to be able to adapt.

“I’ve really enjoyed it in that centre-back role, I feel like you can dictate the game from there if you’re confident in understanding how the team’s going to work, and Craig’s given that information clearly.”

The Suns’ Irish connection runs throughout the squad, with fellow countryman Jamie Hamilton, who arrived late last year, set to offer Whelan and Meaney a link through the Suns’ midfield across the season.

With momentum building, both were keen to see McEwen bouncing come Saturday.

“Hopefully we can get the local crowd down to build some positive momentum,” Whelan said.

“There’s a great infrastructure around the club, there’s some really great people involved, so it’d be great to get the community involved as well.”

The Suns will host Manningham United Blues in the NPL2 curtain-raiser tomorrow, March 19 at 3pm at McEwen Reserve, Shepparton.