With automatic promotion to the top tier in state soccer already having been achieved, the boys in navy blue will now have the opportunity to create more history during what has already been a memorable 2026 campaign.
Just a single point separates Carley’s charges from second-placed Malvern City ahead of the championship decider, meaning the Shepparton side will clinch the title if they can see off the visitors at John McEwen Reserve on August 29.
Now, the Suns boss has sized up Box Hill’s qualities ahead of this crunch fixture, as he spoke in glowing terms about opposite number in the dugout, Alfonso Riani before this date with destiny.
“Box Hill is a team I know very well and I speak with Alfonso every couple of days,” he said.
“He’s a very good football figure and coach - so I really look up to him and admire him.
“In some ways, I wish it was a different opposition we were playing in terms of the friendship side of football.
“But we’ve got a job to do and the beauty of it is that it’s still in our hands - if we can win, then we can secure that title.”
The two sides last met down at Melbourne’s Wembley Park back in May, with a 90th minute Danny Edwards winner enough to separate the teams that night and earn the Suns all three points in a 2-1 triumph.
Now, Carley has spoken of his hope to see as many fans as possible on the terraces down at John McEwen Reserve for what promises to be a garland occasion.
“We would love everyone from the whole football community to come together for this game, it really does make a big difference,” Carley said.
“Hopefully we can get everyone down there cheering us on and hopefully we’ll have something to cheer about come that final whistle.”
“In regards to championships and leagues, they don’t come around so often - certainly not at the level we’re at,” he said.
Either way, the Suns coach is proud of providing regional players with an opportunity to play at the highest level possible following promotion - with VPL 1 football already guaranteed for next season.
He also outlined his commitment to ensuring that the club continues to compete with metropolitan sides, while offering local players a direct pathway to develop on home turf.
“If we can set ourselves up in the VPL 1 system, that creates a pathway for teams long into the future as we want to give the kids the opportunity to play at the highest level possible,” he added.
“We’re blessed with a $20 million facility on our doorstep and we have one of the best playing surfaces in the state.
“If you can create that environment here, why would you want to go down and travel to play for a metropolitan club if you’re playing at a really high, competitive level right here.
“We’ve proven how many local players can play at senior level, and we’ve proven that we can potentially win it with talent that have come through those local football pathways.”
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