SOCCER
LVSL
By TOM HAYES
THE 2025 Latrobe Valley Soccer League season kicks off this weekend from March 15 to 16 in both the men’s and women’s competitions.
The Express has spoken to most of the clubs taking part this year, to get some insight into what may lie ahead in 2025.
In the LVSL Senior Men’s competition, nine sides will compete, after Fortuna 60 left the league to pursue the state league, while Tyers Soccer Club will not field seniors and reserves after a vote from the LVSL clubs. Traralgon City returns after a two-year hiatus in the 2nd Division.
The LVSL Senior Women’s competition has also been reduced to nine teams, as Fortuna 60 withdrew their women’s side.
LVSL Senior Men’s
Falcons 2000
Coach: Adrian Salvatore
In: Toby Capp (returning); Jayden Unmack (Churchill); Lachlan Spiteri, Lachlan Frendo (Fortuna); Dylan Smith (Monash)
Out: Moni Elisaer, Chocho Mohammud (Olympians); Jordan Kennedy (Fortuna); Kuku Mohammud (nil); Harley Broadbent (injury); Kevin Carcellar, Charles Simon (relocated)
Last season: Champions (15 wins, 2 draws, 1 loss)
WITH their biggest rival as of late out of the competition, who steps up to take the crown from Falcons?
“We’re doing everything we can to defend our title,” Falcons Senior Coach, Adrian Salvatore said after noting Falcons had won five of the last eight titles.
The injection of youth climbing the ranks is sure to boost the depth within the squad, while the multiple player movements will take time to mould.
Salvatore hopes to see a more balance league this season, and won’t be surprised if something out of the ordinary happens.
With the ability to host under lights, Falcons are sure to entertain under a different landscape.
Moe United
Coach: Lee Dastey
In: Joel Thompson (Gippsland United)
Out: Nick Fogarty, Connor O’Hanlon (retired); Bayden Heusmann (Gippsland United); Joe Stewart (injury); Tanner Pyle (relocated)
Last season: third (13 wins, 1 draw, 4 losses)
“WHILE we have lost five important senior players from 2024, it provides other players with a great opportunity to step up to first team football,” Moe Senior Coach, Lee Dastey said.
“I’m confident some players will quickly adapt to the experienced players remaining that have formed the core of the squad for many years.
“As has been the case at Moe in previous seasons, the players enthusiasm and commitment to training has been excellent which is encouraging for a positive season in 2025.”
Traralgon Olympians
Coach: Anton Sbaglia
In: Chocho Mohammud, Moni Eliaser (Falcons); Jaydon Steele (East Gippsland); Anthony Katiforis (nil)
Out: Dylan Dunstall, Jake Dunstall (Gippsland United)
Last season: fourth (10 wins, 3 draws, 5 losses)
OLYMPIANS have recruited well, and are tipped to be the biggest winners of the off-season.
So much so, that after finishing fourth in 2024, they might just be the favourite to bring it to Falcons.
“This season you can expect a hungry Olympians senior side determined to make their mark,” Olympians Senior Coach, Anton Sbaglia said.
“With old and fresh talent and a relentless drive to improve, fans can expect electrifying performances and fierce competition.”
Monash
Coaches: Callum Polo and Ethan Lawrence
In: Broden Grover (Fortuna); Angus McNair, Ryan McCluskey, Justin Allman (Newborough/Yallourn); Marc McHallam (Churchill); Anthony Cini (hiatus)
Out: Dylan Smith (Falcons); Bryan Maloney, Gonza Ortellado (relocated); Chris Beasley (retired); Braden Paulet (football)
Last season: fifth (7 wins, 4 draws, 7 losses)
WITH the removal of Fortuna into the state league, Monash has the opportunity to finish inside the top four this season.
While adding a number of inclusions, some of which have tasted success elsewhere, only adds to the desire to win with the Wolves.
“We, as a club, are very happy with our preseason for season 2025, and are looking forward to the season,” club president, Lachlan Getzendorfer said.
Churchill United
Coach: Bradley Sands
In: Not supplied
Out: Marc McHallam (Monash); Jayden Unmack (Falcons)
2024 table: sixth (5 wins, 4 draws, 9 losses)
ANOTHER year, another new look for Churchill.
Following the exit of former senior coach Jayden Unmack, the Rams stalwart Bradley Sands has stepped up into the role.
Many are hoping for the league to become more balanced after the exit of Fortuna, and Churchill might just benefit from that reality.
In fairness, the Rams were just two wins behind Monash last season, and will hope to make a top four run this season.
Sale United
Coaches: Romi Bitar and Anouk Meereboer
In: Dean Nichols, Josh Ryan, Jacob Richardson (returning); Daouda Camara (France); Konstandino Moutoulis, Daniel Patchett (RAAF)
Out: Mace Irvine (university)
Last season: seventh (4 wins, 6 draws, 8 losses)
“WE have a decent squad that, with a good run on the injury side and some consistent football, should challenge most teams in the league,” Sale United Senior Co-coach, Romi Bitar said.
“Hopefully we become less unpredictable, performance wise, and more consistent, playing the brand that the guys have been developing for a few years now.”
Newborough/Yallourn United
Coach: Darren Hodkinson
In: Not supplied
Out: Angus McNair, Ryan McCluskey, Justin Allman (Monash)
Last season: eighth (5 wins, 3 draws, 10 losses)
WHERE will Newborough/Yallourn improve?
Last year they were three results behind the top five, as was Sale United, but Churchill had a point on them.
It will be an interesting battle to see as to who of the three will make the most improvement and break into the top five, or perhaps do even better.
East Gippsland United
Coach: Not supplied
In: Not supplied
Out: Jaydon Steele (Olympians)
Last season: ninth (3 wins, 2 draws, 13 losses)
EAST Gippsland United are hoping to turn the tables in 2025, after a season with just three wins last year.
A numbers of players have left the club to pursue work or university commitments, and have been replaced by newcomers to the region, as well as veterans dusting off the boots.
The club told the Express to expect “high intensity” and “smart football”, with the aim of being competitive.
Traralgon City
Coach: Beke Mapiye
In: N/A
Out: N/A
Last season: N/A
TRARALGON City are looking forward to their much-anticipated return to the LVSL senior and reserve ranks.
After two years, focus has turned to the development of their youth and building a community club.
The return of former Traralgon City players is set to restore morale within the squad, especially after a preseason that was well attended as the team’s cohesion reportedly starts to grow further.
Traralgon City officials say they can’t wait to see what 2025 has in store.
LVSL Senior Women’s
Sale United
Coach: Madelaine Breakspear
In: Izzy Clark, April Makeham (RAAF); Kaitlyn Taylor (Mulgrave)
Out: Anouk Meereboer (Gippsland United); Neomi Sipos (RAAF)
Last season: Champions (17 wins, 0 draws, 1 loss)
“SALE Women have had a positive preseason; the new girls have settled into the squad nicely,” Sale United Senior Women’s Coach, Madelaine Breakspear said.
“Hollie Ryan has returned to the club as an assistant coach. She brings so much experience, and the girls have so much respect for her.”
Falcons 2000
Coach: Sheeny Whadcoat
In: Not supplied
Out: Hannah Meyer (Moe), Danica Di Ciero (Olympians)
Last season: second (15 wins, 0 draws, 3 losses)
THERE is clearly a fair bit of work to do to catch up to Sale United.
“We’ve got an incredible group of players who bring both talent and a great team culture, and now we’re looking to add a few more to round out the squad,” Falcons Senior Women’s Coach, Sheeny Whadcoat said.
Whadcoat remains proud of the environment that has been created at Falcons, and encourages anyone interested to get involved.
Newborough/Yallourn United
Coach: Not supplied
In: Not supplied
Out: Not supplied
Last season: fourth (11 wins, 2 draws, 5 losses)
WITHOUT Fortuna in the league, it is hard to predict if that means Newborough/Yallourn will be closer to the top or mid-table.
Last season they were just six points clear of Moe and Churchill in fifth and sixth, but without Fortuna, they’re 10 points behind second.
How will they improve to form a big three rather than have Sale and Falcons dominate?
Moe United
Coach: Harley Robinson
In: Hannah Meyer (Falcons); Rebecca Van Der Koogh, Bridget Green (Monash); Olivia Bialy (juniors); Tiana Reddiex (Gippsland United); Olivia Ware (nil)
Out: Jade Armistead (assistant coach); Tylah Armistead, Brooke Webley (nil)
Last season: fifth (9 wins, 2 draws, 7 losses)
“ALTHOUGH it is never great losing three players who have been in the squad the last three seasons – Tylah being our reigning best-and-fairest winner and Jade being our captain last season – we have been fortunate enough to have a wealth of talent and experience inject into our side,” Moe Senior Women’s Coach, Harley Robinson said.
“After two fifth-place finishes, I believe we as a group are well and truly poised to make the next step in this league.”
Churchill United
Coaches: Duncan Hanlon and Travers Doherty
In: Natasha Fraser, Bree Morse, Christine Bingham, Liliana Capitanio (hiatus); Khaylianna Schembri (Newborough/Yallourn)
Out: Den Lim Keighran, Samantha Cavanagh, Sam Lawless (nil); Ebony Webb (Gippsland United)
Last season: sixth (9 wins, 2 draws, 7 losses)
THE future of this side can only be bright, and it’s safe to say the players are in good hands.
Last year’s LVSL Women’s coaches of the year, Duncan Hanlon and Travers Doherty, will take the reins at Churchill again.
“We hope to further improve on last year’s massive improvement,” Hanlon said.
“All in all, the league will definitely be a competitive season for the women’s teams in 2025.”
Monash
Coaches: Russell Musgrove and Caleb Semple
In: Not supplied
Out: Bridget Green (Moe)
Last season: Seventh (6 wins, 1 draw, 11 losses)
IF improvement is on the table for the Monash women’s side, it will be all about bridging the gap to sixth, where Churchill finished 10 points ahead of them last season.
It’s difficult to say as to how they will achieve this, but they will want to avoid getting sucked closer to the bottom of the table by any means.
Traralgon City
Coaches: Nathan Batt and Tommy Winter
In: Not supplied
Out: Not supplied
Last season: eighth (2 wins, 2 draws, 14 losses)
A HEALTHY, young contingent of players is the best way to describe Traralgon City leading into the 2025 season.
Traralgon City is reaping the rewards of their strong junior girls program, with the last three years of inclusions attaining to a healthy amount.
According to the club, senior women co-coaches Nathan Batt and Tommy Winter are looking forward to building on the foundations of the group and to develop the squad’s skills even further.
Tyers Lightning
Coach: Katie Goodman
In: Emily Ogden (Olympians)
Out: Not supplied
Last season: Ninth (1 win, 3 draws, 14 losses)
TYERS will certainly be the hunted when it comes to Olympians, but that can be avoided.
Instead, Tyers can push their focus towards catching Traralgon City, who finished two points above them in eighth last season.
It’s always a long season at the bottom of the table, but any successes will be celebrated.
Traralgon Olympians
Coach: Chloe Martin
In: Danica Di Ciero (Falcons); Dharma Kotzur (university); Dara Kendall-Jones (Gippsland United); Elise Winkel; McKenzie Wilson (Traralgon City)
Out: Emily Ogden (Tyers); Lamees Alafeshat, Chelsea Hinds, Abbie Thornton (nil)
Last season: 10th (0 wins, 1 draw, 17 losses)
SOME welcomed introductions into the side will hopefully boost the confidence of the playing group at Olympians.
For their first attempt in the women’s competition, it went just about how you would expect.
“Our goal this year was to try become more competitive,” Olympians Senior Women’s Coach, Chloe Martin said.
“We have been lucky enough to recruit some experienced players to our side… all players that have made a huge impact already.”
Click here to navigate the 2025 fixtures.
