Day: January 22, 2008

Tuesday, 22 January 2008 1:54 PM

South Melbourne has moved to strengthen its defensive stocks by signing two of the Western Australian Premier League standout defenders in Shane Nunes and Steven MacDonald (pictured right) for the 2008 Foxtel Cup season.

Shane Nunes has been a standout player for Cockburn City in the WA Premier League, with many football pundits describing the central defender as a very accomplished, quick and calm defender, who has the highly sought after ability to win possession in the most extreme situations.

At only 23 years of age, Nunes was selected as the first choice centre back in the WA Premier League team of the season alongside former South Melbourne player Ante Kovacevic, as well as being named Best and Fairest for Cockburn City in an amazing 2007 season.

It is believed that he will provide the club with an exciting and vibrant defender that will make an immediate impact upon commencing his career by the lake.

Partnering Shane Nunes in the centre of defence will be Steven MacDonald, who will be joining South from WA Premier League club Sorrento.

MacDonald is another well accomplished and calm defender, with the former Motherwell player proving to be one of the most consistant players in the WA Premier League, representing the state on numerous occasions at both youth and senior level.

In a recent trial with the club, MacDonald has shown all invovled that he is capable of providing SMFC with a quality defender, who can shut down the opposition both on the ground and in the air.

SMFC is genuinely excited to have two players of such a stature join the club and wish the players all the best in settling into life in Melbourne, as well as playing an integral part for the South Melbourne Football Club in 2008.

Tuesday, 22 January 2008 1:24 PM

South Melbourne would like to announce the re-signing of goalkeeper Dean Anastasiadis for one season.

Anastasiadis will commence his 10th season for the club after starting his career in the 1992/93 season, where he played 22 games in a standout year.

Since his debut, Anastasiadis has amassed 144 games with the club, as well as being a key component in the solid defensive unit that won the 2006 Victorian Premier League Championship.

In 2007, following back-to-back keeper of the year awards, the man commonly dubbed as “Deano” suffered a horrific knee injury early in the season, forcing him to sit out the remainder of the season after undergoing a full knee reconstruction.

By re-signing Anastasiadis, the club believes it has re-gained the services of one of the most experienced and accomplished goalkeepers in the competition, as well as retaining a member of the squad that is well regarded around the club by all players and staff.

SMFC wishes Dean all the best for 2008 as he leads the club towards the highly decorated Foxtel Cup crown.