The plan ended two promotions ago. How far can Bayside Argonauts take this?

Four years ago, Bayside Argonauts had a clear destination in mind.

The club were competing in State League 3 - Victoria’s sixth tier, and wanted to reach State League 1, believing the right culture and a strong core of players could take them there.

State League 1 was supposed to be the end goal. Bayside reached it two promotions ago.

After securing another promotion in 2026, the Argonauts will play VPL1 football next season, completing an extraordinary rise of four divisions in four years that has taken the club well beyond anything initially imagined.

“We don’t think anyone expected four promotions in a row when we started the journey back in State 3, but here we are,” president Jim Cotsopoulos told HIGHPRESS.

“State 1 was the original target, so to achieve that and then continue straight through into VPL football has exceeded our expectations.”

HIGHPRESS FEATURE: How GV Suns rebuilt from the brink - without abandoning what they believed in

Bayside’s latest step came in their first season in VPL2. After finishing third behind champions GV Suns and Malvern City, they defeated Essendon Royals 1-0 thanks to Andy Brennan’s moment of individual brilliance in the promotion playoffs to secure their place in VPL1 for 2027.

“It’s an incredible feeling and a little surreal to be honest,” Cotsopoulos said.

“Winning a final to gain promotion makes it that little bit more exciting. To share that moment with our players, coaches, committee, volunteers and so many supporters who came out to watch was fantastic.

“There was a real sense of pride around the ground, and it was a great reward for everyone who has put so much into the club throughout the season.”

While the divisions have changed every year, much of the group responsible for the rise has not.

A core of players has been together since the State League 3 days, climbing the pyramid as a group of mates on and off the pitch. Even as new players have arrived, many have been drawn to Bayside through the friendships and connections already within the squad.

HIGHPRESS FEATURE: The man who refused to let George Cross be forgotten

“The thing we’re probably most proud of is that there’s a core group that has been together since State 3 and has climbed through the divisions together,” Cotsopoulos said.

“The promotions are what people see from the outside, but the culture and connection within the group are really what has driven it.”

As the level increased, Bayside also recognised the need to add experience without losing that identity.

Former Socceroo Scott Jamieson - who is also currently assistant coach of Melbourne City in the A-League, along with Vanuatu international Mitch Cooper and Andy Brennan, have been among the experienced additions to a group that has continued evolving with every promotion.

HIGHPRESS INTERVIEW: Chris Taylor has built winners for decades. Australian football is still overlooking him

“As we’ve moved through the levels, we’ve needed to add experience and quality, and players like Cooper, Jamieson and Brennan have provided exactly that,” Cotsopoulos said.

“More importantly, they’ve fitted into what was already here. They are quality players who also fit the group and the culture.

“They’ve added another level without changing what makes the team special.”

VPL1 represents another considerable jump, but Bayside intend to follow the same formula in 2027: retain the core, strengthen where required and give this group the opportunity to discover where its ceiling really sits.

Four years ago, there was a destination attached to the journey. That no longer exists.

HIGHPRESS INTERVIEW: He made history. Then he walked away to start again

“We want to keep the core of this group together, continue adding quality where we need it and see how far we can take it,” said Cotsopoulos.

“Four years ago State 1 was the goal. We’ve now gone beyond that, so there’s definitely a feeling around the group of why stop now?”