The Shepparton side is currently enjoying an unbeaten run stretching back nearly three months, with the all-conquering class of 2026 setting new standards down at John McEwan Reserve.
The boys in navy blue have been relentless in chasing down premiership frontrunners Malvern City since March, stringing together eight wins and three draws during a true purple patch.
In fact, the last time the Suns tasted defeat came against upcoming opponents Keilor Park back in round five, with that 4-2 loss proving the catalyst for a major revival in fortunes since then.
In recent weeks, pacesetters Malvern have slipped to three successive defeats, with Carley’s charges having closed the gap at the top of the ladder to just a single point coming into round 18.
As the Suns take to the field on June 20, they will do so with one eye on achieving automatic promotion - as well as preventing the Eagles from doing the league double over them.
Speaking ahead of hosting the VPL 2’s sixth-placed side next time out, Suns boss Carley outlined the objectives for his upwardly-mobile team as the business end of the campaign fast approaches.
“We just focus on what we can control and that is our performances and our preparation,” he said.
“Ultimately, it’s down to the boys to execute the game plan on any given day, all that we are focusing on is ourselves and if we chase Malvern down, then we chase them down.
“Our goal is to gain promotion and that’s what the boys are fully focused on now.
“We’re fully tuned into the game with Keilor Park - it’ll be a difficult game for us, it’s a tough place to go with a difficult surface.”
Sizing up the threat posed by Keilor Park, Carley paid his next opponents respect in the lead up to the weekend.
“They set up similar to the Eastern Lions and Altona City in that they play with a 4-4-2 diamond so we know that there’s going to be an overload in that midfield battle.
“It’s about ensuring the boys know their roles with and without the ball and if we have to change and play with two central strikers, then we will.
“They’ve got some brilliant individuals and Graeme Kelly is one of the best in the whole competition.
“They’re the only team that has the opportunity to do the double over us this season - we’ve rectified that against other teams this season and this is the only one we need to rectify.
“It’ll go a long way to pushing us three points further towards promotion.”
Ahead of the home clash, Carley also spoke of his pride at the success of the club’s youth program, with a majority of players named in his squad in recent weeks having been developed in-house.
Against Eastern Lions last time out, 10 of the side’s squad of 17 players had previously progressed through the GV Suns junior program, with 12 players out of the 17 named to face the Essendon Royals having also came through the club’s own pathway.
“For me, that is the true measure of a successful player development program,” he said.
“Many clubs speak about developing players, but what makes me proud is that at GV Suns we can demonstrate our commitment through our actions and the outcomes.
“The evidence is visible every weekend on the pitch. As a regional club, we face challenges that metropolitan clubs often don't.
“We regularly lose talented players to BVYPL Tier 1 opportunities, university commitments, other sports, and local community football.
“Retaining players can be difficult, particularly when competing against the attraction of city-based pathways and the realities of regional football,” he added.
“Yet despite those challenges, our commitment to development remains unwavering.”
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