Gallery | Clean sheet and three points banked in emphatic win by Goulburn Valley Suns over Brunswick Juventus

Mangara Munguakonkha’s first-half goal was followed by second half strikes from Brandon Giaccherini and Laywi Niyonkuru and, while spelling any of those names off by heart would be tricky, what the Suns cooked up at home was easy on the eye.

Carley was rapt with the result, but more importantly, how it was achieved.

“They didn’t put a foot wrong all game; it was probably the most complete performance I’ve seen in the last couple of years,” he said.

“Taking our chances at one end, throwing bodies on the line at the other, just really competing.

“The confidence within the group is top class — they’ve been spot on all season really.”

Brunswick rolled into Shepparton having gone seven games unbeaten in the lead up.

On this occasion, eight was not going to be a lucky number.

Munguakonkha capped a fleeting move that began with goalkeeper Ashton Bonsall in the 23rd minute, slotting home coolly after some fast feet in the box from Danny Edwards.

Five or so passes, from back to front, the ball was in the net — but the Suns’ second took a bit more trickery from one individual.

Edwards turned provider again less than 10 minutes after the restart, taking the ball past three players and gunning it to the byline before cutting back to Giaccherini.

The third was as simple as they come.

Penalty, Niyonkuru to dispatch, bottom-right corner — boom.

While the trio of goals rubber-stamped a resolute victory, it was also the clean sheet earned by 90 minutes of defensive fortitude that Carley lauded over.

“The boys were tremendous, I thought defensively we were solid — individually and collectively I thought we were outstanding,” he said.

“It’s made a bit of a statement: if we can consistently perform like that, I truly don’t believe any team will be able to live with us in this competition.”

Another hallmark of the Suns’ game is squad rotation.

Of the 21 games this season, the Orangemen have deployed four or more substitutes on 12 occasions and it’s a luxury Carley is glad to have up his sleeve.

“We’ve got such depth this year where we’re fortunate to be in a position where we can do that and it’s a credit to the boys for the shape they’re in and the ability they’ve got,” he said.

“Some of the boys that are playing week in, week out — Callum Horsman is one in the 23s that I believe he’s ready to play that senior football starting role, but there’s no point exposing him if he’s not going to get that.

“It’s more making sure everyone’s ticking over and when called upon, ready to step into those positions.”

The Suns’ full rank and file will be required for the next assignment, as they’ll make the trek to Stead Park to take on Geelong after this weekend’s bye.

Though it was a 5-0 rout the Suns’ way in round nine, Carley knows better than to write off Geelong after it knocked down Essendon 4-1 at the weekend.

“We’re fighting to lock in that playoff spot as soon as we can and they’re fighting to stay in the league, so we’re expecting a battle,” he said.

“It’s always tough going down to Geelong at the best of times, so it’s certainly not going to be an easy game and not something we’ll be underestimating at all.”