SOCCER
STATE LEAGUE
By ALLAN ROBERTS
WHAT began as an idle conversation around a committee table in early 2024 about a new direction for Fortuna ’60 Soccer Club has turned into a dream result with one round to go for the Morwell based team.
The Orangemen from Crinigan Road have secured the VetoSport State League 5 South Men’s League with two rounds to spare and an undefeated season to date.
With the vision of the club to provide a middle option between the local Latrobe Valley Soccer League competitions and the State League 1 option of Gippsland United Football Club for local players, it now appears this vision has become a reality, as the club has cemented it’s position in the middle tier of the revamped seven division state league structure for 2026.
The match against the Bunyip Strikers at the weekend saw the Lions run out 3-nil winners over their closest geographical opponent, and celebrate the league triumph in front of a big Saturday night crowd – with plenty of travelling support in attendance.
With news filtering through prior to the 6pm kick off that Fortuna’s only challenger for the title in Mt Eliza Soccer Club had suffered a 3-nil loss to third-placed Seaford United, meant Fortuna had already secured top spot and the title before a ball was played.
Not content with just winning the league, the challenge was put to the team by coach Clayton Bell to go the season undefeated – a feat that would create history and some waves within the state league structures.
With the whistle blowing for the start of the game, the Lions hit the pitch with purpose and endeavour, fully intent to deliver the win for the large travelling supporter base and ensure that the bus ride home was one to remember.
It did not take long for the Lions to put a shot on target, with Hayden Tanti being on the end of great build up that started down back from Robbie Stephens.
Tanti rifled a shot at the Bunyip goal that sailed over the crossbar – the Lion’s intent from the get-go well and truly on display.
The next five minutes saw Fortuna pepper the Bunyip goal, with Damon Scott, Joel Palermo and Nonda Lazaris causing headaches for the Bunyip keeper, who was having to work hard early to protect his goal.
Seven minutes into the game, Tanti took a throw-in that was launched into Fortuna’s 18 yard box, finding the feet of Jake Budija who scrambled a shot at goal, with the keeper fumbling the save, Scott for the Lions cleaned up the scraps and dispatched the loose ball into the Bunyip goal to give the Lions an early 1-nil lead.
The Lions again hit the back of the Bunyip goal in the 13th minute, with Budija and Scott linking up again. This time it was Scott who received a ball out of the middle and layed this off into the path of Budija, who clinically dispatched the ball into the bottom right corner to give the Lions a 2-nil advantage.
The next 25 minutes was all Fortuna, with the midfield of Jordan Campbell, Lazaris and Daniel Cooper dictating play and creating multiple opportunities for Fortuna’s forward three to fire at will at the Bunyip goal.
When Bunyip did press forward, their attacks could not get past the defensive line of Alex Bowman, Robbie Stephen, Rayvel Whiting and Palermo – who were like a brick wall for the visiting Lions side.
With the timer ticking over 37 minutes, Scott received a throw-in from Palermo. Scott played a cheeky one-two with Budija to receive the ball again and then found the back of the Bunyip goal for his second of the evening.
With the halftime whistle sounding, Fortuna headed to the sheds in a commanding position with a 3-nil lead and a cheeky eye on the league cup.
The second half started in similar fashion to the first, with Fortuna creating havoc all over the park for the home side.
The Lions seemed to be able to shoot at will, and if not for some heroics from the Strikers keeper – with eight genuine shots on target in the second half, the score could have been catastrophic for the home team.
Robbie Stephens, or ‘Bob’ as he is affectionately known at the Lions den, showed the form that saw him crowned State League 1 best player several seasons ago. The big Scotsman put on a clinic at several points during the second half. With the game well and truly in the grasp for the Lions, coach Bell ensured those on the bench got onto the park to savour what was history in the making for the club.
To Bunyip’s credit, they continued to fight out the game but to no avail. The final whistle sounded, and Fortuna celebrated its maiden state league title.
Club life member Duncan Hanlon Senior presented the team with a cup to hold aloft on the ground. The team then headed to the dressing rooms to sing the club song loud and proud with their travelling supporters, support staff and family.
With the league title sewn up, the club’s focus now turns to the final game of the season, to be played at home this week against Mt Marth.
This will coincide with the club’s sponsors day, which will be one for the club to celebrate and show off the league title to its home crowd.
Fortuna ’60 would love to see a big crowd down at the Den, and encourages all football lovers to come celebrate. Entry is free to all at Crinigan Rd Reserve.
Having secured top spot on the table, Fortuna has also earnt the right to play in the state league ‘Champions of Champions’ finals at the end of the season against the North, West and East league title winners.
If the Lions make the Grand Final of this post-season competition, they will get to play at the home of the Matilda’s in Bundoora. Not bad for a country club that had a vision!
The Fortuna reserves started the day positively for the club, winning 2-1.
