On Saturday December 6, South Melbourne Hellas took on Marconi Stallions in the final of the Australian Championship, in front of a raucous crowd at Olympic Village as two giants of Australian football met on the national stage.
South struck early, opening the scoring inside the first 15 minutes. A Franco Maya back pass fell into the path of Manny Aguek, who showed great composure to bypass Anton Milnaric before rifling the ball into the top corner, giving Hellas the perfect start and igniting the South faithful behind the goal.
Several minutes later, South doubled their advantage. From a Max Mikkola corner, captain Marco Jankovic rose strongly, glancing his header towards the back post and into the net. The skipper celebrated passionately with the travelling supporters, as South took firm control of the contest.
Holding a 2–0 lead at the break, South approached the second half with maturity and discipline. Marconi pushed forward in search of a response, but South remained organised and resolute, limiting clear chances and managing the game expertly as the minutes ticked away.
At full time, South Melbourne secured a 2–0 victory, lifting the inaugural Australian Championship trophy and etching their name into the history books as the competition’s first champions.
The victory caps a remarkable turnaround over the past four months for the club. After a challenging NPL Victoria campaign, South regrouped and delivered when it mattered most, adding the Australian Championship to an already successful year that also included Community Shield and Dockerty Cup triumphs in 2025.
The result is also historically significant, marking South Melbourne’s first national title since the 1998–1999 NSL Championship, ending a 26-year wait for national silverware.
With momentum firmly behind them, South now turn their attention to a new chapter, preparing for the club’s debut in the Oceania Professional League in January, carrying belief, confidence, and the backing of a passionate Blue and White supporter base.