SOCCER
LVSL
By LIAM DURKIN
DON’T forget the ‘other’ football code.
The Latrobe Valley Soccer League season kicks off this weekend.
You can say kick off in soccer – because that’s exactly what takes place.
The LVSL is set for a new look campaign on a number of fronts – not least the new name.
The league is now officially called: Football Victoria Latrobe Valley.
Football Victoria has taken over full running of the competition, after managing various aspects last season.
The season itself runs parallel to the local Australian rules football season, making for a more traditional winter sport timeslot.
Across the league, teams are also offering new propositions.
On paper at least, league champion Moe looks somewhat weaker, given the absence of the two Connor’s.
Star striker Connor O’Hanlon has returned overseas, while Connor Dastey is trying his hand at the next level with Gippsland United.
Although the Red Devils won the championship last season, their fortunes changed markedly when O’Hanlon returned to the squad.
Moe was also helped by some late season results falling its way, after Olympians seemingly cost itself a walk-in championship by not taking points when expected.
Two come-from-behind wins against Falcons (the second a miraculous final-minute thriller) also required the Red Devils to pull some rabbits out of the hat.
If luck did in fact play a part, league pundits won’t be too surprised if Moe finds itself on the other side of the ledger this time around.
As they say though, the harder you work, the luckier you get, and there can be little surprise why the Red Devils are one of the most successful clubs in the league.
Moe has had a change of coach, with Lachie McKenzie stepping up from assistant.
“Looking to go back-to-back in league titles which hasn’t been done at our club since 1988/89,” he said.
“Very experienced squad that’s been playing together for a number of years.
“Excited to give an opportunity for some kids that have been playing well in the reserves the last couple of seasons.”
McKenzie knows culture and knows the club inside out, meaning the Red Devils should be in good hands regardless of who takes the pitch.
Don’t forget, not many were rating Moe’s chances this time last year either.
Perennial challenger Falcons looks to have a new focus.
While last year was perhaps a development season, following some player movement after neighbouring club Fortuna went to the state league, the Birds are bullish about their chances in 2026.
The club is now accustomed to playing away from home, and with virtually the same squad that finished third, conventional wisdom appears to be working in their favour.
“Falcons’ junior development program is starting to bear fruit, with a raft of 15-17 years olds attending senior preseason training,” senior games record holder Joe Auciello said.
“We are looking to blood youth this year whilst still remaining competitive.
“Much the same squad as last year which will look to compete on all fronts.”
Auciello himself confirmed he would mainly play in the reserves this season in order to look after the future of the club, but would be willing to fill in for the seniors when needed.
Olympians will have redemption front of mind, after seeing the league championship slip through its fingertips.
The team from Traralgon was the only side to defeat Moe last season, and did so convincingly, 4-1.
Anyone watching that night would have been convinced the league championship was a mere formality.
The season however pivoted dramatically, and Olympians missed what would have been a fairy tale title given the club wasn’t even fielding a senior men’s team three years ago.
The fairy tale can still be achieved however, just with an extra chapter.
Olympians at least got out of last season with the Battle of Britain cup, and will want to continue on its winning way under young coach Anton Sbaglia.
Churchill could be the bolter of season 2025.
The Rams showed some very good signs late last season, and have added Gippsland United gun Ryan Ayres to its roster.
Ayres can perform in big moments, highlighted by his recent finals series with the cricket bat, where he virtually won Churchill the premiership single-handedly.
The Rams have also picked up Connor McGivern from Gippsland United, and Logan Winter from Trafalgar.
McGivern is a central midfielder, while Winter has won three of the last four golden boots for Trafalgar in the Gippsland Soccer League.
The GSL is however considered a markedly lower standard than the LVSL, so it will be interesting to see if Winter finds goals harder to come by.
Churchill also has Jacob Cheney back at his home club after playing with Gippsland United.
The Rams were hurt last season after an administration error cost it points, meaning its final finishing position of sixth was arguably not a true reflection of its standing.
Monash, who have proven a nemesis to a few sides in recent years, look to be taking the same squad into 2026.
The Wolves gained plenty of street credit for making cup finals in seniors and reserves last season, and should be confident as a result.
Newborough-Yallourn United will be out to be as competitive as possible, in what is looming as a ‘get through’ season for the Combine.
It could be a similar story for East Gippsland United, who are reportedly struggling for numbers.
Sale United will again rely heavily on its RAAF influence, meaning you never quite know how strong they are going to be.
The Swans finished a creditable fourth last season, and could snag a gun on deployment from the air force for the season.
A club official said Sale was “hoping to challenge the title aspirants again this year, playing an exciting attacking brand of football”.
LVSL players can expect to see greater Football Victoria presence, as the governing body has taken over all operations.
That means FV run fixtures, referee appointments and any dramas from club land.
FV ran the senior men’s competition last season, while the LVSL kept a hold on other competitions.
It is felt that having FV oversee all operations will lighten the load on club volunteers, who were in the unenvious position of trying to perform multiple roles with the league as well as their own clubs.
Football Victoria Regional Development Coordinator for Gippsland, Jackson Landy, comes with skin in the local game, being a current player with Trafalgar, an LVSL referee and a former junior at Traralgon City.
He said clubs and the outgoing LVSL board had been amicable in the handover process.
“All the clubs have been very welcoming, appreciative and supportive of Football Victoria’s influence across the region,” he said.
“What we are going to see is a whole of football delivery, so it’s not just us running the competition.
“It’s a whole of football delivery from Football Victoria this year and going forward.”
The history of the LVSL will be preserved in the newly named league.
LVSL life members and legends will now be given equal status in Football Victoria.
Fixtures are now available online through Drible Match Centre.
Round 1: Sale United vs Churchill (Saturday, April 11), Falcons vs Monash (Sunday, April 12), Pegasus vs Olympians, Traralgon City vs Moe, NYU vs East Gippsland.
