Geelong Derby to kick off VPL2 25

THIS year’s soccer season will launch with a bang as two local heavyweight clubs meet to open the Victorian Premier League 2 (VPL2) campaign half a year on from the conclusion of last season.

For the first time, Geelong Soccer Club and North Geelong Warriors will meet in the VPL2 in early February as part of the 2025 Round 1 fixture.

Geelong SC will be carrying an abundance of excitement into the season opener on Saturday, February 8 at Stead Park, after securing promotion into the competition following a successful 2024 season in State League 1 under recently re-signed head coach Ante Moric.

North Geelong struggled in 2024 at the VPL1 level, finishing last on the ladder with just four wins from 26 games and recalling former coach Stuart Begg mid-season to take over the coaching reins again before being related to VPL2.

Geelong SC club president Robert Kukanovski was delighted to re-sign Moric in October for what will be the “second phase of our senior men’s football strategy”.

“Ante set the standard in the first phase of the plan, and we are excited with the prospects of the next phase,” Kukanovski said.

“The reappointment of Ante and senior Assistant Robert Talevski is reward for the vision, direction and standards this leadership brings to the team but more importantly the club.

Moric said it was a real pleasure to be part of a club that has given him every opportunity to put his football philosophy into action.

“Together with my staff I look forward to working every day for such a wonderful club. A club that has direction, vision and a fantastic culture.

“Most importantly great support and belief from everyone involved at the Geelong Soccer Club.”

The reverse fixture between the two Geelong clubs will take place at Elcho Park in Round 14 on May 17.

Geelong SC will also enjoy three home games in a row to start the season, as part of seven home games within the first 10 rounds of 2025.

VPL2 will be a 14-team competition with 26 games scheduled in the fixture.

For both clubs, they will ultimately be aiming for a top two finish to automatically be promoted into the VPL1 in 2026.

Seeds 12, 13 and 14 in the rankings at season’s end will be relegated into State League 1 in 2026.

If either side can finish between 3-6 on the ladder, they will complete in a four-team playoff for a third promotion spot into the VPL1.

The full VPL2 fixture and other Football Victoria senior fixtures can be found on club social media pages.