GV Suns will be looking to build on their strong early-season league form in the cup
Photo by
Megan Fisher
GV Suns coach Craig Carley has called on his players to dare to dream in their upcoming cup knockout clash as he looks to oversee a giant killing.
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The Shepparton side will make a 170 kilometre trip to face Green Gully in Round 4 of the New Balance Dockerty pot as they look to build upon a strong start to their league campaign.
Following on from last weekend’s comprehensive 2-0 victory over Nunawading City in the Victoria Premier League 2, the Suns’ next test will arguably be one of their most stern of the season so far.
Separated by a single division in the Australian league pyramid, Melburnian giants Green Gully will likely attract a crowd of 10,000 spectators for this winner-takes-all tie.
With Green Gully Reserve unavailable for use at the weekend, the two sides will instead face off at what essentially is a neutral venue at the nearby Epping Stadium.
The Cavaliers are four-time holders of the Dockerty Cup, having last lifted the coveted trophy back in 2013 and will be eager to arrest their alarming recent form - having failed to win so far this season in the NPL Victoria.
Sizing up the Suns’ next opponents, manager Carley is mindful of the proposition facing his players at Green Gully Reserve as he attempts to come out on top in this David versus Goliath clash.
“That’s going to be a big test for us,” the Englishman admitted, as he spoke respectfully about the 14th-placed side in the NPL Victoria.
“Green Gully is a powerhouse club, not only in Victorian football but also in Australian football.
“So we’ll go down there and try and cause a massive upset.”
The experienced Suns helmsman was also keen to stress how the trip to Melbourne represents a free-hit for his players - as they look to bring the momentum they have built up in the league into the cup.
“Cup games are obviously always a break from the league but they also allow for these opportunities,” he said.
“Our club knows this only too well, as we made the national stage of 32 a couple of years ago so we’re fully aware of what that can do for the community.
“Hopefully we can get everyone behind us and go down to Green Gully Reserve this weekend for what is a great opportunity.
“Half of their squad is full-time so it’s a great chance for our boys to test themselves and play with no fear and do themselves and their families proud.”
Coach Craig Carley will be looking to lead his GV Suns side to a cup upset victory
Photo by
Megan Fisher
So far this term, Carley has presided over four wins, a single draw and three losses in what has been a strong start to life in the division.
Currently sitting fourth in the VPL2 standings, the ex-AFC Wimbledon man outlined his expectations for his players as he implored them to maintain the high standards that have been so apparent in the early weeks of the league campaign.
“The thing that we look for from the boys - both the players who have come across and those who have played at higher levels - is to set those standards,” he said.
“It’s [about] drilling in those expectations of what it takes to perform at that level on a consistent basis.
“It think that’s the difference at the moment, we’ve got boys with so much potential and it’s about seeing that potential consistently - that’s the standard we’re trying to drum into our players.
“It’s not for everyone what we do at times, it’s an intense environment at times and we do demand a lot but it comes from a good place of wanting people to be better.”
GV Suns face Green Gully on Saturday, April 4 at 4pm at Epping Stadium Melbourne in knockout round four of the New Balance Dockerty Cup.
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