Author: George Kouroumalis

By George Kouroumalis

It may have been a freezing Friday morning in Melbourne but it didn’t stop all those involved with our club sacrificing some sleep to pay the ultimate respect to the ANZACS at the Shrine of Remembrance.

Every senior listed player and member of the coaching staff was in attendance, as well as each member of the junior coaching staff, club media representatives and board members and volunteers.

The entire South contingent met on St Kilda Road at 4am, walking as one to the shrine for the 6am dawn service, where they were surrounded by thousands of Victorians, inclusive of many former men and women who had served for our nation, as well as many family members associated with such heroes.

Our Captain Michael Eagar is both an Australian and New Zealand resident, with the service giving him an understanding of the sacrifices that were made by troops of both nations to assist in paving the way on how we live life today.

Speaking to smfc.com.au, an emotional Eagar said “It was a wonderful experience to come to the shrine with the club and be involved in paying some respect to the brave men and women who lost their lives for our countries. Sometimes sport pales into insignificance when you sit back and realise the sacrifices that were made in order to ensure that the future generations (like ourselves) could live in a free society and essentially have the choices to do whatever we want.

It was great to see not only every member of the playing group, but all the senior and youth coaching staff, board members and club volunteers all as one and representing this great club”

Senior coach Chris Taylor also praised all club officials for all attending, stating that “it was fantastic to see all aspects of the club represented this morning at the service and that the entire club was committed to paying respect to these brave and selfless people.

At the start of the season we all made a commitment for one another, whether that was on the park as a playing group or off the field in continuing to drive the club forward.

When you hear about the commitment that the ANZACS made for one another and the stories of how many people did not come back to their family and friends, it really hits home that the commitment we have all made is quite minor compared to the ultimate sacrifice many made to make the world a better place”

We would like to thank everyone who represented the club with dignity this morning and would urge anyone who has not yet been to the service to do so in the future.

Lest we forget

South Melbourne FC is pleased to launch its new-look official website ahead of the kick-off of the National Premier League season tonight.

The new website has been given a modern and fresh feel and was designed and implemented by George Kouroumalis, the Club’s digital media and marketing specialist. We would also like to thank John Kyrou and Con Dimitrakakis for assisting with the content throughout the changeover and redevelopment.

The SMFC Media Team of Paul Zarogiannis, David Henning, Kyrou, Cindy Nitsos, Michael Dimoudis and Steven Orchard have also contributed by producing much of the content (SMFC TV, southRadio, statistics and photographs) that features heavily on the new website.

South Melbourne FC wishes to thank everyone involved in the upgrade (especially George Kouroumalis) and hopes that everyone enjoys the new official website.

Photo by George Kouroumalis

South Melbourne FC is delighted to advise its partnership with Kieser Training for the 2014 football season. Keiser Training will be the primary provider of medical services for the Club.

Kieser Training is a network of Physiotherapy, Rehabilitation, Strength and Conditioning centres focused on delivering the best possible outcomes for customers. Their programs provide long term solutions to musculoskeletal problems, as well as enhancing day to day performance and quality of life. Kieser Training has five centres located around Melbourne with a sixth centre to be opened in Geelong early in 2014.

As part of its partnership with South Melbourne FC, Kieser Training will be working with the club’s senior squad in three key areas:

Prevention – over the next few weeks, they will be screening of all senior squad players to identify those at risk of injury and to put into place programs to ensure they are available for all games. They will be using not only the Kieser Training technology but will also use a unique movement analysis technology from DorsaVi, which has recently been adopted by Manchester United.
Physiotherapy –providing physiotherapy services for the club both at training and on match days.
Performance – where players have a deficit in strength and conditioning they will have access to their world-class facilities in South Melbourne in order to improve their performance.

The partnership with Kieser Training will extend to all paid up SMFC members and players enabling access to their facilities at rates normally reserved for its existing members. Furthermore, Kieser Training will be spending time with the junior teams to help educate them on injury prevention, injury management as well as when and how to introduce strength and conditioning programs for junior athletes in a safe and professional environment.

Speaking to smfc.com.au, Managing Director Tony Smith said, “Kieser Training is delighted to be involved with the South Melbourne FC, arguably Australia’s most successful football club. In late 2012 we launched our Clubs and Communities Program in order to extend our services to select sporting clubs, schools and local community groups and the relationship with South Melbourne FC is the latest example of this program. South Melbourne FC joins the ranks of other leading clubs with which we have relationships including Melbourne Rebels, Melbourne University Cricket Club in the Premier League, Target Trek cycling team in the National Road Series as well as numerous other clubs. With Teniele Holmes as Medical Services Co-ordinator and James Cole as Senior Physiotherapist we are looking forward to helping the club achieve great results in 2014”.

SMFC Football Director Nicholas Maikousis said to smfc.com.au, “we are very excited to be announcing our partnership with Kieser Training, as they will be working closely with our playing squad to provide an extensive range of services which will assist with injury prevention and recovery, as well as training and match day requirements. The level of medical attention and servicing will be second to none, and will provide the players with a great advantage”.

For all media enquiries, please contact SMFC General Manager Peter Kokotis on (03) 9645 9797.

By John Kyrou (Photo by George Kouroumalis)

South Melbourne FC is pleased to confirm the signing of Milos Lujic ahead of the 2014 season. The centre-forward arrives from Northcote City in what has been a straight swap between the clubs, following Trent Rixon’s return to Northcote after two years with South Melbourne.

Lujic arrives at Lakeside Stadium following an outstanding 2013 season that saw him score 21 goals in the Victorian Premier League, including a goal in the 3-2 extra time win over Bentleigh Greens in the Grand Final. He scored 18 goals in the regular season, including scoring a double in six different matches. He then went on and scored another three goals in the finals series, two of which came against South in Northcote’s 5-0 demolition job at SS Anderson Reserve on Sunday 13 October. Along with Michael Eagar, Lujic was a vital part of Northcote’s success in 2013 and South coach Chris Taylor will be delighted to have secured both players for the 2014 season.

Speaking to smfc.com.au, Football Director Nicholas Maikousis said “we are quite excited with the addition of Milos to the squad. Milos is someone who we have admired and followed his progress for a while now. He had an extraordinary season at Northcote City where he played a leading role in their championship season, and will further strengthen our attacking options”.

South Melbourne FC welcomes Milos Lujic to the Club and wishes him the very best for the new season.

By George Kouroumalis

South Melbourne FC is excited to announce that Graham Hockless has joined the club for the 2014 season, with the club appointing him as Assistant Coach.

Graham will replace last year’s assistant Rob Graskoski who has taken a position at Selangor FC along side Mehmet Durakovic.

Initially from Hull in England, many South fans will know Hockless for his stellar Victorian Premier League career over the past decade. In spells for Richmond, Heidelberg, Green Gully and Port Melbourne he was regarded as the premier midfielder in the competition and captured the 2008 Gold Medal award for the best player in the Victorian Premier League.

He also played a leading role in Green Gully capturing back-to-back Victorian Premier League Championships in 2010 and 2011, while he also won the Jimmy Rooney Medal in the 2010 final for the man of the match.

Known as a leader on the park, Hockless will link up with Chris Taylor and provide South with a different dimension to their coaching ranks, with the freshly retired 31 year old’s knowledge of the local game being one of his strong points.

We wish Graham all the best for the 2014 season and hope that he can combine with head coach Chris Taylor to give the club a successful season on the park.

Friday, 26 July 2013 1:56 PM

By George Kouroumalis

South Melbourne FC take on Dandenong Thunder this Sunday in what is expected to be an intriguing affair between both sides sitting just outside of the top five.

Both sides are coming off relatively unconvincing wins in the FFV State Knockout Cup midweek, with a very sluggish South coming from two goals down to defeat Preston 4-2 at Lakeside Stadium, while Dandenong were also tested by lower opposition, winning their fixture on penalties against Werribee.

South will go into the match without suspended pair Peter Gavalas and former Dandenong midfielder Iqi Jawadi, both of whom were sent off in last Sunday’s defeat at home to Bentleigh. However in more positive news South will have new signings Luke Hopper, Jonathan Munoz and Christian Maynard available, with the latter certain to replace the suspended Gavlas in goals.

South is also expected to have Shaun Kelly return from a hamstring injury, joining Brad Norton and former Dandenong duo Bryan Bran and Tim Mala in a formidable back four.

In the only meeting between the club’s this season, South Melbourne were soundly defeated at George Andrews Reserve by 3 goals to nil, with new South signing Luke Hopper finding the back of the net for Dandenong.

Kick-off at Lakeside Stadium on Sunday July 28th is at 3pm.

Last time we met

Friday, 26 July 2013 11:30 AM

By George Kouroumalis

South Melbourne FC has made a remarkable comeback to avoid embarrassment against Preston in the FFV State Knockout Cup on Tuesday Night.

South were without all of its recent signings due to them being cup tied, as well as Alan Kearney, who had to serve a one match suspension after being sent off in the last round of the Cup against Northcote City.

Despite dominating the play, the only meaningful chance of the half came when Preston caught the South napping, with Sanni Dauda scoring a speculative shot from range.

Preston was reduced to ten men three minutes before halftime after Michael Santoro was handed a second yellow card for a quickly taken free kick without the referee having blown his whistle.

Preston doubled it’s advantage early in the second half, when horrendous marking from the corner allowed for Dauda to bury a volley from inside the six yard box.

With South staring down elimination and the home crowd getting quite boisterous, Rhys Meredith latched onto a wonderful cross by Fernando De Moraes to pull a goal back for the home side.

South continued to pile on the pressure and were rewarded in the 81st minute when Meredith and Andy Vlahos combined to cause mayhem in the Preston defence, forcing Igorce Kolevski to turn the ball into his own net.

South were now dominant and moments later a super free kick by Fernando De Moraes found it’s way through everyone, slamming into the back of the net and sending the small but vocal crowd into delirium.

Fernando then topped off a man of the match performance by scoring a second of the night just before full time.

South now face Green Gully in the Semi Final of the State Knockout Cup, with the fixture likely to be on either August 20 or 21.

Monday, 22 July 2013 2:07 PM

By George Kouroumalis

A late second half surge by Bentleigh Greens against a nine man South Melbourne side has seen them defeat the home side by 4 goals to 1 at Lakeside Stadium.

South went into the match with new signings Bryan Bran and Tim Mala in the heart of the defence, as well as Chris Taylor opting to play striker Trent Rixon up front once again.

It was that decision by Taylor that worked immediately after kick-off, with Rixon darting past the stagnant Bentleigh defence, before hitting a low drive across the area and into the path of Nick Epifano at the back post who smashed the ball into the back of the net.

Moments later the match was turned on it’s head up the other end, when South custodian Peter Gavalas collided with Bentleigh’s Ryan De Vries, after the strikers shot had already sailed well and truly over the bar. In what seemed to be an innocuous incident, referee Brenton Hawyward pointed to the penatly spot before sending Gavalas off with a straight red card being produced.

Immediately Taylor sacrificed goalscorer Epifano and brought on 17 year old Goalkeeper Lajos Hun to make his debut for the club at senior level.

In what was an amazing turn of events, Luke Sherbon stepped up and scored the penalty, only for the referee to call it back, making him take it again. From the resultant re-take, Hun produced a fine save, sending the stunned South crowd into raptures.

This galvanised the South players and they continued to dominate the half with ten men and despite not being able to capitalise, went into the rooms at half time with a well deserved one goal lead.

The second half continued in the same manner, South coming out of the blocks early and piling the pressure on a very timid Bentleigh defence, with Soolsma and Rixon once again looking dangerous.

It was against the run of play where Bentleigh grabbed an equaliser, with Dane Milovanovic hitting a wonderful strike from outside the area to get his team on level terms.

Any chance South had of clinching the three points vanished moments later, when Iqi Jawadi was given his second yellow card in a short period, with the referee deeming that he kicked the ball away after he blew the whistle.

With the sending off, South was left with very little hope and it was proven not long after when Ryan De Vries and Luke Sherbon capitalised on an exhausted South defence to put the match beyond doubt.

Former South defender Tom Matthews added the fourth with the match already sealed and the South side demoralised.

It was a more positive story in the Under-21s as South defeated Bentleigh 4-3. Baggio Yousif scored twice as Francis Solano and Aydin Sipahi scored the other two goals to secure the win.

South must re-group as it takes on Preston this Tuesday night in the State Knockout Cup, whilst hosting Dandenong Thunder on Sunday at 3pm. Both matches are at Lakeside Stadium, with the Cup game against Preston a members only affair.

FINAL SCORE: SOUTH MELBOURNE 1-4 BENTLEIGH GREENS (HT: 1-0)

Goal Scorers:
1-0: Nick Epifano (2′)
1-1: Dane Milovanovic (64′)
1-2: Ryan De Vries (72′)
1-3: Luke Sherbon (79′)
1-4: Tom Matthews (90+2′)

South Melbourne FC:
1. Peter GAVALAS (GK – sent off 12′), 2. Tim MALA, 4. Bryan BRAN, 5. Nick EPIFANO (21. Lajos HUN [GK] 12′), 9. Trent RIXON (15. Dimi HATZIMOURATIS 61′), 10. Tyson HOLMES, 11. Brad NORTON (C), 13. Iqi JAWADI, 16. Alan KEARNEY, 17. Nick SOOLSMA (12. Rhys MEREDITH 76′), 22. James KARVELIS

Bentleigh Greens:
Alistair BRAY (GK), Dominic D’ANGELO, Aron WILFORD, Jack WEBSTER, Thomas MATHEWS, Steve HATZIKOSTAS (Luke O’DEA 45’), Wayne WALLACE (Liam MCCORMICK 77’), Luke SHERBON, David STIRTON (Jamie DEARBY 61’), Ryan DE VRIES, Dane MILOVANOVIC

SMFC Man of the Match: Bryan Bran
Venue: Lakeside Stadium
Date: Sunday 21 July 2013

Friday, 9 May 2008 12:30 PM

By George Kouroumalis & John Kyrou

South Melbourne will be looking to win two matches in a row when it travels to Epping Stadium to take on the Whittlesea Zebras on Sunday.

In what promises to be an enthralling contest, South will head into the Mother’s Day clash full of confidence after a well-drilled and disciplined performance saw them account for the Richmond Eagles last Sunday at Bob Jane Stadium.

South coach Michael Michalakopoulos will be going back to familiar territory, as he coached and played an integral part in building the Zebras squad that made the Grand Final in 2007. His knowledge of the Whittlesea players will be an important factor throughout the game, with Michalakopoulos keen to get a victory against his old side.

In goals, South will head into the game with captain Dean Anastasiadis (pictured) in goals. At a venue where South has traditionally struggled in the past, the side will be relying on the veteran in goals not only as a shot stopper, but as a strong communicator to his defence and to lead by example out on the field.

South will once again opt for the same back four that performed superbly last weekend to shut out the Richmond forwards. Steven O’Dor and Shane Nunes will once again be given the central defensive positions. Adam Van Dommele will provide the side with a calm and experienced left back, with the former Adelaide United player instrumental in South’s excellent defensive performances of the last month. On the other side of defence, Sam Poutakidis will be asked to slot into the right back position. Both Poutakidis and Van Dommele will however push forward as much as possible in order to cause an extra problem to the Zebras defence as well as provide extra support for the midfielders and forwards alike.

In the middle of the park, South will be without two very important players in Bill Natsioulas and Fernando De Moraes. Natsioulas limped off midway through the opening half last weekend with a leg injury, whilst Fernando will be missing due to being selected in the Futsalroos squad for the AFC championships. Replacing the pair will be young duo Tony La Verde and Benji Vahid. Both youngsters will be keen to solidify their positions in the starting line-up, with La Verde impressing in the multiple appearances he has made in 2008.

The two teenagers will be joined by the experienced vice-captain Rama Tavsancioglu, who has had a superb month of football since being assigned the defensive midfield role. His attack on the ball, clean tackling and work rate has been a feature of his game whilst in the role and Michalakopoulos will be looking for ‘Rama’ to continue his efforts as well as assist his younger team mates. The other vital cog in the midfield area will be Goran Zoric, a player will use his guile and pace to try and exploit the Whittlesea defensive unit.

Up front, South will persist with the combination of Ricky Diaco and Gianni De Nittis. Both players provide the club with a creative and vibrant attacking duo that work well together. Their form last weekend against Richmond justifies an inclusion into this week’s starting line-up, as De Nittis scored the winning goal and Diaco threatened the opposition defence and keeper every time he had the ball.

Also vying for a starting position will be youngster Hamlet Armenian, who will relish the chance to take on his former club on the weekend. Despite not finding the net this season, Armenian has worked extremely hard every time he has made an appearance and has been very unfortunate not to open his scoring account. He will be a danger and will give the Whittlesea defence several headaches when he gets his chance.

South’s opponent will provide the Blues with a resilient opponent that should not be underestimated. The 2007 Grand Finalist boasts experienced campaigners that will make life tough for the South Melbourne side.

One of these players will be Ross Antoniadis in the centre of defence, a player who has made his mark at VPL level over a 10-year period with the Zebras and Altona East. Antoniadis is an old-fashioned centre-back, with the big man quite strong in the air but also exceptional at winning the contested ball on the ground with his aggressive tackling style. He will be a massive obstacle that the South attacking third will need to overcome in order to capture the points.

In the middle of the park, South will need to contend with former player Sebastian Petrovich, who spent time with the club in the old NSL and also part of the 2005 South squad. He is a creative midfielder who will always be looking to help out both his attacking players and defence when needed.

One of these attacking players is Jerry Karpeh who joined the Zebras in the summer from A-League club Perth Glory. In 2007 before joining the Glory, Karpeh was one of main reasons that Floreat Athena won the Western Australia Premier League crown. In a breakout year, not only did Karpeh win the elusive crown with Floreat but he also blitzed the competition to win the WAPL golden boot award, finding the net on 25 occasions in an amazing return. His pace and finishing ability will be something that South will need to monitor and negate.

As a result, Sunday’s game promises to be a cracking contest, with both sides sitting on 12 points and needing the three points on offer. A win for either side will see them push closer to a top six position. Kick-off at Epping is at 5pm.

South Melbourne FC vs Whittlesea Zebras

When: Sunday, May 11th
Where: Epping Stadium
Kick-off: 5.00pm (Under 21s at 3pm)

Projected Starting line-ups

South Melbourne
Dean Anastasiadis (GK/C), Sam Poutakidis, Rama Tavsancioglou, Adam Van Dommele, Steven O’Dor, Shane Nunes, Goran Zoric, Tony La Verde, Gianni De Nittis, Benji Vahid, Ricky Diaco

Whittlesea Zebras
Robert Simeoni (GK), Ross Antoniadis, Steve Martin (C), Mark Vazzocchi, Adilson De Melo (Junior), Conner Molan, Gregory Lombardo, James Sherman, Jerry Karpeh, Ryan O’Hare, Sebastian Petrovic

Head to head (Games since 2005)

Played : 1 (The Whittlesea Zebras were formed in 2007)
South Melbourne : 0
Whittlesea Zebras : 1
Draw : 0

Last Meeting

When: Monday, 27 May 2007
Where: Epping Stadium
Score: Whittlesea Zebras 3 defeated South Melbourne 2

Form in 2008 (last 3 games)

South Melbourne: Win, Loss, Win
Whittlesea Zebras: Win, Loss, Loss