Sure they might not have the flashy stadiums, the manicured pitches, or the superstar talent of the NPL, but don’t be fooled – the state leagues are where you’ll find the heart and soul of the game. This is where the real passion lives, where the drama unfolds, and where the magic of football truly shines.
After months of waiting, with the boys itching to get back on the park, the ball’s finally ready to roll across the grounds of Victoria. Forget the fancy stuff, this is grassroots footy at its finest – raw, unfiltered, and full of heart.
We’re talking bone-crunching tackles, thunderbolt shots, and the kind of atmosphere you just can’t find in the big leagues. So get ready for the rollercoaster ride – the highs, the lows, and everything in between. This is what football’s all about, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
State League 1 – North-West Group
Get ready for a proper Greek showdown to start the North-West Division of State League 1! Westgate Olympic, who finished a solid fourth last season, will be hosting Western Suburbs this Saturday afternoon (March 22nd). Western Suburbs, remember, limped home in eighth spot last year.
But the Greek Aussie action starts even earlier! On Friday night, Clifton Hill will be hitting the road to take on Upfield.
An away day also awaits the historic Yarraville Doxa in their season opener. They’ll be facing Corio at Hume Reserve on Saturday arvo. Let’s be honest, that’s a team Doxa should be putting to the sword!
State League 1 – South-East Group
Talk about a group on fire! This year, we’ve got three Greek Aussie clubs battling it out, thanks to the promotion of Bayside Argonauts. Springvale Aris and Malvern City are two legendary clubs, and they’ll be going all out once again to grab that golden ticket to VPL2.
Aris’ campaign starts this Saturday afternoon when they host the always-dangerous Beaumaris.
City’s season gets underway the next day, with the Blues heading away to face newly-promoted Hampton East Brighton.
And the new boys, Argonauts, will start their season on the road as well, taking on Doveton.
State League 2 – North-West Group
We’ve got two Greek Aussie clubs battling it out in the North-West Division of State League 2. Mill Park will be kicking things off at home this Saturday afternoon, hosting the tough-as-nails Geelong Rangers.
Later that afternoon, Altona East Phoenix will be jumping into the fray. “Dikefalos” will be hitting the road to face Western Eagles.
State League 2 – South-East Group
Two representatives of our Greek community are in action in this division. Chisholm United will be starting their season with a home clash against Noble Park United on Friday night.
The next day, Bentleigh United Cobras’ adventures begin. The yellow-and-blacks will be travelling to Knox to take on the local City side.
State League 3 – South-East Group
Just one Greek Australian team in the South-East Division of State League 3 this year – the newly-promoted Waverley Wanderers. The yellow-and-blacks had a cracking season last year, earning promotion to the third tier of state leagues. They’ll start their campaign on the road against Greater Dandenong.
State League 4 – East Group
One Greek Aussie team in the East Division of State League 4. Newly promoted Olympiakos from East Kew will start their season with a seriously tough away trip, facing Monbulk Rangers. That match is scheduled for 3 pm on Saturday afternoon.
State League 4 – North Group
There’s a real buzz in the North Division of State League 4! Three historic Greek-Aussie clubs are seriously eyeing a top spot in the season’s long haul, kicking off this weekend.
The curtain-raiser sees two old warhorses of the division go head-to-head on Saturday arvo. Darebin and West Preston will clash at 3pm in a match steeped in the magical football tradition of Victorian leagues.
New boys Keon Park will start their season at home, hosting Moonee Ponds United. That match is set for Friday night, at 8.30 pm.
Fixtures
State League 1 – North-West Group
Friday March 21
Upfield – Clifton Hill 8.30 pm
Saturday March 22
Westvale Olympic – Western Suburbs 3.00 pm
Corio – Yarraville 5.15 pm
State League 1 – South-East Group
Saturday March 22
Doveton – Bayside Argonauts 3.00 pm
South Springvale – Beaumaris 3.00 pm
Sunday March 23
Hampton East Brighton – Malvern City 3.00 pm
State League 2 – North-West Group
Saturday March 22
Mill Park – Geelong Rangers 3.00 pm
Western Eagles – Altona East Phoenix 6.30 pm
State League 2 – South-East Group
Friday March 21
Chisholm United – Noble Park 8.30 pm
Saturday March 22
Knox City – Bentleigh United Cobras 3.00 pm
State League 3 – South-East Group
Saturday March 22
Greater Dandenong – Waverley Wanderers 3.00 pm
State League 4 – East Group
Saturday March 22
Monbulk Rangers – East Kew 3.00 pm
State League 4 – North Group
Friday March 21
Keon Park – Moonee Ponds United 8.30 pm
Saturday March 22
Darebin United – West Preston 3pm
