Football Victoria is pleased to announce the Head Coaches for the 2024 Battle of the States against Queensland on Saturday, September 21 at Imperial Corp Stadium.
Victoria will look to defend the Rigby-Willis (Men's) and Jones-Millman (Women's) Cups after claiming both fixtures in the inaugural edition.
2023 Battle of the States Results
- Men's: Football Victoria 1-1 (5-4 penalty shoot-out) Football Queensland
- Women's: Football Victoria 2-1 Football Queensland)
Men's Head Coach: Esteban Quintas
Quintas, the mastermind behind South Melbourne’s recent successes, has been selected to lead the Victorian men’s team. Since taking charge in 2019, the Argentine coach has guided South Melbourne to two Grand Final appearances and secured both the 2022 and 2024 Premiers Plates.
Women's Head Coach: Vince Battiato
Battiato’s appointment follows an outstanding season with the Essendon Royals, where he guided the team to a remarkable third-place finish. His leadership saw the Royals achieve back-to-back promotions from State League 1 to the NPLW, and a victory in the 2023 Steph Catley Community Plate Final.
"I’m thrilled and a little humbled to take on this responsibility," Battiato said. "I’m very much a Victorian, and I’ve always loved beating Queensland—it’s in my blood. We won’t let anyone down, and I’ll make sure we play them off the park."
A training squad for Men's and Women's will be announced in the coming weeks!