Author: George Kouroumalis

South Melbourne FC would like to confirm that it has re-signed star forward Tiffany Eliadis for the 2018 season.

Eliadis is a name that should be familiar with many South fans, having made her debut with the Club as a 14-Year-Old during the 2010 season in the Women’s Premier League. Since then, she has gone on to become one of the dangerous forwards in the state.

Her outstanding performances in a South shirt saw her win the FFV Gold Medal twice and numerous Golden Boot Awards for both Club and Competition, having scored 78 goals in her last four seasons with the club. While doing this, she also is a three time championship winning player with the club, while capturing the best on ground award for her outstanding 2017 Grand Final performance.

It was also with this amazing form behind her, that saw Tiffany rewarded with a W-League contract at Melbourne Victory for the current 2017/18 season, along side fellow South players Alex Gummer and Melina Ayres.

Speaking to smfc.com.au, Head of Women’s Football Gabrielle Giuliano was excited to have Tiffany back for 2018. “South is Tiff’s home and we are over the moon to have such a quality player and person re-join the club for the upcoming season. As well as an attacking force, Tiffany showed her versatile nature throughout the season, including a stint at centre back during the Grand Final where she was best on ground. We are very pleased to have her in our colours once again.”

We wish Tiffany all the best for the 2018 season.

South Melbourne FC would like to confirm that it has re-signed Matthew Millar for the 2018 NPL Victoria season.

Millar has extended his contract following an excellent two year stint with the club, playing across many different roles in his 68 matches for the club. In those matches he has also scored on 26 occasions in all competitions, whilst also proving to be one more the more dangerous midfielders in the competition.

The hard working 21 year old will be looking to build on a strong season and FFA Cup campaign in 2018.

Speaking to smfc.com.au, Football Director Nicholas Maikousis welcomed the news of the re-signing. “Matty had a fantastic season with the club and was a standout during our last two matches in the FFA Cup, so we are pleased to have him back for 2018. His work ethic and ability to run at speed for long periods makes him a versatile and dangerous player, so we are naturally excited to have him in our colours once again.”

We wish Matt all the best for upcoming season.

South Melbourne FC would like to announce the re-signing of Championship winning Left Back Alexandra Gummer for the 2018 NPL Season.

She will re-join the club following the conclusion of the W-League season, where she is currently playing in defence for Melbourne Victory. As well as her time with Victory, she has
experience at the highest level in Australia with Adelaide United, whilst also playing for Doncaster in the UK.

In 2017, Gummer played a leading role in South winning the NPLW Championship, with a standout season at left back making her one of the more dominant defenders in the league.

Speaking to smfc.com.au, Women’s Football Director Gabrielle Giuliano was pleased to have Alexandra re-sign. “Alex is a tremendous person and leader and we are thrilled to have such a quality individual
re-join the club for the upcoming season. As well as her leadership qualities, her performances last season were exceptional and we are pleased to see her back in our colours for another season.”

As mentioned, Alex is currently playing for Melbourne Victory and will join us at the conclusion of the W-League season.

South Melbourne FC would like to announce the re-signing of 2017 Best and Fairest winner Natalie Martineau for the 2018 NPL Victoria season.

In her four seasons with the club, the Canadian-born midfielder has impressed everyone with her exceptional work ethic and creative play, as well as her leadership on the park.

Natalie was an integral part of SMWFC’s back-to-back WPL Championships in 2014-2015, the State League triumph in 2016 and of course the most recent Premiership and Championship in the NPL Women’s competition of 2017 where she stood out as one of the dominant midfield players in the entire competition.

Women’s Football Director Gabrielle Guiliano was pleased to have Natalie back at the club for the upcoming season. “Natalie showed great loyalty in being part of the Club over the past few seasons and was one of our stand out players for the 2017 season. Her tireless work rate and ability to keep driving her game to another level is something that she is well known for and we are excited to see her back in our colours for another season.”

We wish Natalie all the best for the 2018 NPL season.

South Melbourne FC would like to confirm the departure of two time Championship winning player and former club captain Michael Eagar.

Since crossing from Northcote City in 2014, Eagar immediately assumed the role as club captain and played an integral part in the club winning its first title in 9 seasons during that season. In his 112 senior appearances for the club, Eagar was also able to play a part in our second NPL triumph in three seasons in 2016, while also proudly lifting the Dockerty Cup and Premiers Plate in 2015.

A true professional and fantastic person to lead our proud club, we would like to thank Michael for his efforts as captain and wish him all the best for the next chapter in his career.

Speaking to smfc.com.au, an emotional Eagar spoke highly of his time at the club. “I would have preferred to personally say thanks to everyone at this great club who has made my time extremely enjoyable; however I would like to express my gratitude to all of the supporters, players, coaches, media team and directors at South Melbourne. In particular, CT for giving me the honour of captaining the club during my 4 years, the players such as Norts who have made the journey very special and Frankie for going above and beyond every day of the week. I’ve always worn the South colours with pride and I hope I’ve given the supporters as many great memories as they’ve given me.

Wishing the club and it’s supporters all the very best, I look forward to seeing South Melbourne back in their rightful spot of the country’s top division in the coming years where i will be supporting as a fan.”

He joins fellow Championship winning players Zaim Zeneli (North Sunshine) and Luke Adams (Overseas), as well as David Moreno (Spain) and Stefan Zinni (Avondale) as confirmed departures ahead of pre-season training on Monday.

South Melbourne FC would like to confirm the signing of 21 year old central defender Darby Dexter for the 2018 season.

Dexter joins us from fellow NPL club Port Melbourne, while he has previous experience also with Melbourne City’s Youth Team in both the National Youth League and NPL competition, as well as North Caulfield in the State League.

Dexter provides the squad with a tall and extremely strong central defensive option, who is also very composed with the ball at his feet.

Speaking to smfc.com.au, Football Director Nicholas Maikousis welcomed Darby to the club. “Darby is a tough young defender who we think can play a role in our first team squad for the 2018 season.”

We would like to welcome Darby to SMFC and wish him all the best for 2018.

South Melbourne is pleased to confirm that it has re-signed attacking midfielder Nick Epifano for the 2018 NPL Victoria season.

Epifano has had a tremendous season, winning the SMFC Best and Fairest (Theo Marmaras Medal) and Players’ Player of the season, whilst also being a key component in our club reaching the Semi Finals of each competition in 2017.

Since joining the club through the midway point of 2013, Epifano has played in 135 matches for the club, scoring on 39 occasions and also playing in two vital championship wins along the way.

He will once again link up with Milos Lujic and new signing Sam Smith in what promises to be a formidable attacking force in 2018.

Speaking to smfc.com.au, SMFC Football Director Nicholas Maikousis was elated with the re-signing. “Over the past 12 months we have seen Epa grow as a footballer and person, so we are pleased to retain the services of such an integral member of our team. We’re hoping that he can build on his strong 2017 season and take his game to another level this year, where he will continue to both create and score for us in crucial matches.”

The club would like wish Nick all the best for the 2018 season.