Story perspectives

South Melbourne FC Wins Australia Cup, Defeats Melbourne Victory on Penalties

By Drooid · Oct 13, 2026, 3:57 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

South Melbourne FC became the first non-A-League club to win the Australia Cup, defeating Melbourne Victory on penalties.
The final drew a sell-out crowd of 29,911 at AAMI Park in Melbourne.
Fans booed Uncle Colin Hunter Junior’s Welcome to Country ceremony before kickoff.
South Melbourne FC apologized to Uncle Colin Hunter Junior and the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people for the jeering.

History

Historical Context

When Football Federation Australia launched the FFA Cup in 2014, 704 clubs entered, creating a national knockout linking A-League and lower tiers. That season, Victorian State League club Bentleigh Greens beat Central Coast Mariners 2-1, marking the competition’s first lower-tier upset and showcasing regional depth. In 2024, South Melbourne FC echoed that feat by beating Melbourne Victory on penalties at AAMI Park, while fans jeered Uncle Colin Hunter Junior’s Welcome to Country. These high-profile upsets compel Football Australia to enforce cultural protocols, urging clubs to engage Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung elders and prevent future disrespect toward Indigenous ceremonies.

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Story summary

South Melbourne FC became the first non-A-League club to win the Australia Cup, defeating Melbourne Victory on penalties.
The final drew a sell-out crowd of 29,911 at AAMI Park in Melbourne.
Fans booed Uncle Colin Hunter Junior’s Welcome to Country ceremony before kickoff.
South Melbourne FC apologized to Uncle Colin Hunter Junior and the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people for the jeering.

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