South Melbourne’s 2024 Australia Cup campaign was memorable right from the start. South needed wins against Melbourne Knights and Preston Lions just to qualify for the Australia Cup national rounds!

Once qualified, South faced Wellington Phoenix in the Round of 32. Over 4,000 people came to Lakeside to watch the match unfold. South started the game in a flurry, and just four minutes in, a dangerous through ball into the box found Harrison Sawyer unmarked. Sawyer made no mistake of the chance, and gave South a 1-0 lead.

However, Wellington wrestled back control of the game and South were forced to defend. Despite Wellington’s superior possession and fitness, South managed to hold onto the lead and secured the famous win. It was the club’s first win against A-League opposition.

In the next rounds South defeated Olympic FC (where wild weather paused the game for over an hour), and also Hume City (with Lampard scoring an extra-time winner).

South then faced another A-League team, Macarthur FC in the Semi-Final. Once again, over 4,000 fans packed Lakeside to watch the game. South however were without star striker, Harrison Sawyer, who was purchased by Macarthur before the game. South still put in a good performance but a goal by Valère Germain in the second half was ultimately enough for Macarthur to secure the win.

Overall, it was a great campaign for South that will be long remembered at Lakeside.

Round of 32
South Melbourne	1
Wellington Phoenix	0
Round of 16
South Melbourne	3
Olympic FC	2
Quarter Finals
Hume City	2
South Melbourne	3
Semi-Finals
South Melbourne	0
Macarthur FC	1