Monday, 13 April 2009 10:51 AM
By John Kyrou
At the 2009 South Melbourne FC season launch, Rama Tavsancioglu mentioned wanting to become one of the SMFC greats. “I want to be the next Paul Trimboli” said the newly-appointed club captain. If fit and available for the match against Green Gully at Green Gully Reserve on Saturday afternoon, the inspirational Rama will join an elite group of players – Trimboli included – that have represented the most successful Australian football club 100 times in the National Soccer League/Victorian Premier League.
‘Rama’ as he is affectionately known, was brought to the club by former coach John Anastasiadis in 2005, South’s first year back in the VPL. Although only 20 years of age when he made his debut against Frankston, Rama made an immediate impact by cementing his place in a side that achieved a surprise Preliminary Finals appearance. The supporters recognised Rama’s efforts by naming him the Under 21 Player of the Year. The following season, Rama’s passion and dashing defensive runs were instrumental in helping South to finish third in the regular season before going on to win the club’s eighth VPL championship.
Rama celebrated the opening of the 2007 season by being part of the Hellenic Cup triumph against Oakleigh, before reaching his 50th match for the club in the 3-3 home draw against Heidelberg. Even though South did not qualify for the finals in the 2007 and 2008 seasons, Rama continued to prove to be one of the side’s most valuable assets. He even chipped in with two memorable goals – the first a rocket against Whittlesea Zebras at Epping Stadium (3-2 loss) and the second a memorable run and low finish at the near post against Oakleigh at Bob Jane Stadium (5-2 win).
Rama’s efforts did not go unnoticed entering this season, as senior coach Michael Michalakopoulos rewarded him for his loyalty by naming him as captain of the club in its 50th year anniversary. He has already lifted one trophy as captain, as South won the pre-season Hellenic Cup competition. Rama becomes the 37th player to reach the 100 game milestone for South since 1977 when the club entered the NSL.
Rama Tavsancioglu – SMFC Statistics:
- DOB 7th June 1984
- Debut v Frankston Pines (round 3, 2005 @ Monterey Reserve, 1-2 win)
- 2005 Clarendon Corner Under 21 Most Valuable Player of the Year
- Member of the 2006 VPL championship team
- Member of the 2007 Hellenic Cup championship team
- 50th match v Heidelberg (round 1, 2006 @ Bob Jane Stadium, 3-3 draw)
- 2008 Clarendon Corner Most Valuable Player of the Year
- Captain of the 2009 Hellenic Cup championship team
- 2009 Club Captain
Season Breakdown:
2005 – 26 games (25 starts, 1 sub), 2 goals
2006 – 23 games (23 starts, 0 subs), 1 goal
2007 – 24 games (23 starts, 1 sub), 2 goals
2008 – 21 games (21 starts, 0 subs)
2009 – 5 games (5 starts, 0 subs)
Total – 99 games (97 starts, 2 subs), 5 goals