Day: May 30, 2014

By John Kyrou

South Melbourne FC and Dandenong Thunder face each other for the second time this week when the two sides meet in a National Premier League fixture at Lakeside Stadium on Sunday evening. Sunday’s meeting follows on from Wednesday night’s Sixth Round Dockerty Cup tie between the two sides that South won 0-1 in extra time at George Andrews Reserve.

South goes into Sunday’s meeting with a perfect ten wins from ten League fixtures in 2014, with its most recent win being the 0-1 victory against Werribee City at Galvin Park last Sunday 25 May. This perfect record sees South on top of the NPL Victoria ladder with 30 points and with a nine point lead over the second-placed Oakleigh Cannons. Dean Hennessey’s Dandenong side has enjoyed a solid start to the 2014 season, with five wins and two draws from their opening ten League fixtures, with its most recent result being a 3-1 win against Ballarat Red Devils at George Andrews Reserve last Saturday 24 May. This sees the Thunder sitting comfortably in fourth spot on the NPL Victoria ladder, four points behind third-placed Heidelberg and three points ahead of fifth-placed Bentleigh.

Chris Taylor will welcome Mathew Theodore back into his South side on Sunday after the midfielder was rested midweek for the Cup match. Taylor may also use Sunday’s League match to rotate his squad after several of his regular starting eleven played the full 120 minutes during Wednesday night’s Cup tie. This may present an opportunity for new signing Dion Kirk to make his first South appearance after he was an unused substitute on the bench on Wednesday night. Dandenong was by far the toughest challenge presented to South across all competitions so far this season, with Rama Tavsancioglu and Alan Kearney in particular having excellent matches against their former club, as a result Taylor will be aware of the need to pick a team capable of overcoming another tough challenge on Sunday evening.

Sunday’s match kicks off at 5PM at Lakeside Stadium. Those unable to make the game can follow it with live updates on the South Melbourne FC Facebook page and on the Club’s official Twitter @smfc with the hashtags #NPLVIC and #SMvDT.

Photo: South Melbourne FC General Manager Peter Kokotis with Neil Kerley, Barrie Robran and Russell Ebert

Recently, South Melbourne’s General Manager Peter Kokotis represented the Club at the Living Without Limits Foundation’s Footy Legend’s Lunch event in Adelaide.

With just under 300 people in attendance, and close to a whopping $40,000 raised on the day, it was an absolute success, and put the Foundation one step closer to realising their dream of establishing a much-needed House of Respite, for families of children affected by autism or cerebral palsy.

The Living Without Limits Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation established in 2012 by four very passionate and enthusiastic friends, all committed to simply doing something positive to help children impaired in some capacity.

The Foundation works extremely hard to raise funds for very ‘specific’ purposes – to fund critical research, support various children’s organisations, assist in developmental practices and purchase important equipment – as determined by the Foundation’s Board, which is very ‘hands on’.

Living Without Limits seeks to help all children to overcome challenges, be participatory, set and achieve their goals and maximise their potential. It works to break down barriers and restrictions and provide opportunities.

SMFC General Manager Peter Kokotis, speaking to smfc.com.au said “having the opportunity to support the Living Without Limits Foundation chaired by my good friends Steve Maras and Philip Di Pinto on behalf of South Melbourne FC was truly an honour. Furthermore, I had the opportunity to meet three South Australian Greats in Barrie Robran, Russel Ebert and Neil Kerley, and being part of a community club ourselves that is passionate about charity, we know how important these initiatives are for people in need”.

South Melbourne FC was proud to participate in this fantastic fundraising initiative.