The 2024 season could not have gone better for Belsouth FC’s only men’s team. An undefeated regular season was capped off with a thrilling Grand Final penalty shootout victory that saw ‘The Bells’ raise both the Premiership and Championship trophies.
The catalyst for last year’s success goes back to 2022, when the club had two men’s teams competing in the old State League system. Despite both sides’ ambitions to maintain their individual statuses, a lack of matchday numbers meant that the players were constantly playing multiple matches a day.
Towards the end of that year, the sides agreed to merge their training sessions to increase participation and boost productivity. The teams officially joined together in 2023 as departures from both sides made it impossible for Belsouth to maintain two men’s teams.
After a heartbreaking Grand Final loss in their first season together, the new side used their disappointment to fuel their success in 2024. Belsouth hope to keep that fire burning as they take on the new challenge of moving up the divisions from CLO9 into CLO6.
Nicholas Middelton returns as Head Coach for a third season and is not letting last year’s success stop the progression he sees at the club.
“I expect Belsouth to be better than we were last year,” Middelton admitted. “The only comparison we should make is to ourselves so if we see improvement in individuals, understanding and team cohesion then that’s a major success.”
Co-Captain Finn Manningdale is also confident in his side’s ability to win in 2025 but knows that’s not always the most important thing.
“My expectation is for our team to win our division and have a great time doing it,” Manningdale said.
Once a team boasting over 20 squad members, the current side has been cut down through interstate departures of Jeremy Cains (Sydney) and Matt Roberts (Melbourne). A bad run of injuries at the end of last season ruled out player-turned-manager Carlin Sheaves (ACL) and Xeke Graetz (meniscus) for the year, while Zac Saunderson (sabbatical) is also missing the 2025 campaign.
However, Belsouth has appeared to have unearthed a new talent in Zac Maljevac, who is playing in his first ever season of competitive football.
“I grew up in a rugby dominated town, but (I was) always interested in football. I always wanted to play and finally started this year after strong encouragement from my friend and my younger brother,” Maljevac said. “I hope to improve throughout the season in the supportive environment Belsouth has welcomed me into.”
Belsouth’s junior club acts as a feeder team for Belconnen United, with a majority of the junior clubs’ older players departing in their early teenage years to chase a National Premier League spot. This causes fewer teams to participate in the higher age groups and, when the time comes to make the step to men’s, there aren’t any teams left.
Returning player Rhys McMahon has seen these departures first hand, after coaching Belsouth’s Division One U16 Boys to a Grand Final win last year.
“I was coaching for the past three years and had quite a few of those players move onto NPL grade which was a great achievement,” McMahon revealed.
Being a predominantly junior football club, Belsouth prides itself on fostering an inclusive family friendly atmosphere, which can be felt from top to bottom.
“(I love) the family feel it has, the support you get every week, and the club’s ambition to be better for every kid, every year has helped foster my love for the game,” Head Coach Middleton admitted.
“What makes me come back to play each year is being able to play with the exceptional group of guys we have on our team” Co-Captain Manningdale admitted.
The comradery and loyalty of this Belsouth team is summed up through Carlin Sheaves, who despite injury has carved himself a role as the side’s manager for 2025.
“I see the manager as another part of the football team,” Sheaves commented. “The reason I picked up the role in the first place is because I wanted to give more to the team. It’s an incredible honour to be so involved in the club I’ve played for since I was 10, anything I can do to give back to the club is a plus.”
You can find The Bells playing their home matches at Scullin Oval on Saturdays at 1pm or follow Belsouth FC’s socials for updates on the club’s results.
Words: James Whybrow
