Author: SMFC Administration

South Melbourne Football Club (SMFC) is delighted to announce the appointment of Dr Sonali Pande, Sports Physician, as Head of Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, further strengthening the Club’s commitment to excellence in athlete health, wellbeing and performance.

Dr Sonali is a Specialist Sport and Exercise Medicine Physician with a substantial background in orthopaedics and sports medicine. Her high-performance sporting experience includes appointments with Cricket Australia as a touring team and tournament doctor, including the Australia A Men’s team, Australian National Men’s Hard of Hearing Cricket Team and Australian National Women’s Blind Cricket Team, together with medical roles across cricket, basketball and netball. She is currently the Under 19 Men’s National Cricket Team Doctor for the 2026 series against India and has recently been appointed as the Doctor for the National Mixed Disability Program for Cricket Australia.

Dr Sonali brings considerable expertise in athlete health, injury prevention, rehabilitation and safe return to performance. Working alongside the Club’s medical, physiotherapy, strength and conditioning, coaching and football departments, she will further strengthen South Melbourne’s integrated, multidisciplinary approach to player health and performance.

The appointment has been strongly supported by South Melbourne Football Club co-Presidents Mr Bill Papastergiadis OAM and Mr Andrew Messorouni, the Board, Professor Marinis Pirpiris, Board Member and Director of Sports Medicine, Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Strati Xynas, General Manager and Mr Chalerm Tuantab, Head of Performance, reflecting the Club’s continuing investment in a high-quality, integrated medical and high-performance program.

Welcoming Dr Sonali to the Club, Mr Papastergiadis OAM said: “Dr Sonali’s experience and expertise will be an outstanding addition to our multidisciplinary team and reflects the standards of care we aspire to provide our players.”

Professor Pirpiris emphasised the importance of placing player welfare at the centre of high performance: “Elite performance must be underpinned by an equally strong commitment to athlete health, safety and wellbeing. Dr Sonali’s appointment further strengthens our ability to provide players with coordinated, evidence-based care across injury prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and return to performance.”

Mr Andrew Mesourouni and Mr Strati Xynas also welcomed the appointment, highlighting the importance of continuing to strengthen the professional infrastructure supporting the Club’s players and football program. Mr Chalerm Tuantab welcomed the opportunity to further integrate sports medicine, rehabilitation and performance within the Club’s multidisciplinary model.

The appointment reflects a shared commitment across the Board, football, medical and high-performance departments to providing South Melbourne players with the highest standards of care, wellbeing and performance support.

The SMFC Board, football department and entire South Melbourne family warmly welcome Dr Sonali and look forward to her contribution to the Club.

Club Statement: Preston Lions

Now that the dust has settled following Saturday’s match, South Melbourne FC remains profoundly disappointed by the abhorrent behaviour displayed by a section of Preston Lions supporters. The misogynistic, racist and offensive banners and chants directed towards women and members of the Greek Australian community have no place in football or in Australian society. Such conduct is completely inconsistent with the values our game should represent and has caused significant distress to families, women, children and members of our wider community who attended the match.

In the lead up to the fixture, South Melbourne FC worked collaboratively with Football Victoria, Preston Lions, Victoria Police, the State Sport Centres Trust and all relevant stakeholders to ensure the match could proceed safely with supporters from both clubs in attendance. This was despite many people urging our club not to allow away supporters into the venue. We remained committed to the principle that football should be played in an environment where passionate support can coexist with respect, safety and inclusion. We are immensely proud that our members and supporters remained disciplined throughout the afternoon, focused solely on supporting our team and refusing to engage with or respond to the unacceptable behaviour they witnessed.

South Melbourne FC is proudly one of Australia’s most inclusive football clubs. Founded by Greek migrants more than six decades ago, our club has evolved into an organisation that today represents Australia on the international stage while welcoming people from every background, culture and community. We are proud to champion equality through our women’s football program, provide opportunities for women and girls both on and off the field, and invest in programs that ensure people living with disability can participate in and enjoy our game. Since Saturday, we have received hundreds of complaints and messages from members of our community expressing their outrage and disappointment at what occurred. We have also been contacted by clubs from across Victoria who have implored us to take a stand. We believe we have a responsibility to do exactly that and to speak out against behaviour that is misogynistic, racist and discriminatory in any form.

South Melbourne FC has formally lodged a complaint with Football Victoria and expects this matter to be dealt with appropriately and decisively. We will continue to cooperate fully with Football Victoria and the relevant authorities throughout their investigation and will advocate for meaningful action that protects the integrity of our game. Football must remain a safe, respectful and family-focused environment for all participants and supporters. There is no place in our game for misogyny, racism, discrimination or vilification, and we will continue to stand with everyone who believes football should unite communities, not divide them.

– ENDS –

𝗠𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗔 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧
𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗠𝗲𝗹𝗯𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲 𝗙𝗖 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗮 𝗖𝗼𝗵𝗮𝗱𝘇𝗶𝗰 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗺 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗲𝗱 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽

South Melbourne FC confirms that Sinisa Cohadzic has been reinstated as Senior Men’s Head Coach.

While the decision to part ways with Cohadzic last week came as a surprise to some, it created an opportunity for both parties to openly address and resolve a number of important matters.

Those discussions were conducted with honesty and professionalism, producing a renewed alignment on the direction of the club with a clear pathway forward for all.

South Melbourne FC and Cohadzic remain united in their shared ambition and commitment to the continued success of the club, the welfare of our players, the love of our fans and the support of our sponsors.

The Club’s focus is now squarely on the season ahead and the standards we demand of ourselves on and off the pitch and that we move forward as one club, fully focused on the season ahead.

Bill Papastergiadis & Andrew Mesourouni, Club Co-Presidents, South Melbourne FC:

“The Board made a decision that resulted in both parties openly addressing and resolving a number of issues which have now led to a renewed alignment and a clear pathway forward for all.

“Now we ask our South Melbourne family to get behind the team, fill the stadium and show the world why this club is like no other.”

Sinisa Cohadzic, Senior Head Coach:
“I love this club. I always have. These past few days have been difficult, but what matters is that we move forward together as one club. I’d like to thank the board for working through all the issues and now i’m ready to get back to work.”

— End of Statement —

On Saturday December 6, South Melbourne Hellas took on Marconi Stallions in the final of the Australian Championship, in front of a raucous crowd at Olympic Village as two giants of Australian football met on the national stage.

South struck early, opening the scoring inside the first 15 minutes. A Franco Maya back pass fell into the path of Manny Aguek, who showed great composure to bypass Anton Milnaric before rifling the ball into the top corner, giving Hellas the perfect start and igniting the South faithful behind the goal.

Several minutes later, South doubled their advantage. From a Max Mikkola corner, captain Marco Jankovic rose strongly, glancing his header towards the back post and into the net. The skipper celebrated passionately with the travelling supporters, as South took firm control of the contest.

Holding a 2–0 lead at the break, South approached the second half with maturity and discipline. Marconi pushed forward in search of a response, but South remained organised and resolute, limiting clear chances and managing the game expertly as the minutes ticked away.

At full time, South Melbourne secured a 2–0 victory, lifting the inaugural Australian Championship trophy and etching their name into the history books as the competition’s first champions.

The victory caps a remarkable turnaround over the past four months for the club. After a challenging NPL Victoria campaign, South regrouped and delivered when it mattered most, adding the Australian Championship to an already successful year that also included Community Shield and Dockerty Cup triumphs in 2025.

The result is also historically significant, marking South Melbourne’s first national title since the 1998–1999 NSL Championship, ending a 26-year wait for national silverware.

With momentum firmly behind them, South now turn their attention to a new chapter, preparing for the club’s debut in the Oceania Professional League in January, carrying belief, confidence, and the backing of a passionate Blue and White supporter base.

South Melbourne FC can confirm that Nicholas Maikousis has today stepped down as a Director and President effective immediately, in order to focus on his personal business.

Bill Papastergiadis will be overseeing the operation of the Board as Chairman until the upcoming AGM. South Melbourne FC remains focused on the upcoming inaugural season of the Championship and its recent inclusion in the Oceania Professional League.

South Melbourne FC thanks Nicholas for his contribution to the club over many years.

DOUBLE HEADER AT LAKESIDE
Join us this Sunday at Lakeside Stadium for a massive day of football.

🕑 2:00 PM – South Melbourne Women vs Boroondara
🕔 5:00 PM – South Melbourne Men vs Melbourne Victory Youth

BUY TICKETS HERE

🎟️ TICKET PRICING
• Adults: $20.00
• Students / Pensioners / Concession: $15.00
• Children 12 & under: FREE (ID required)

ID checks to be conducted at entry.

🏟️ GAME DAY INFO
• Arrive early and carpool where possible
• South fans enter via normal entrance (pre-purchased via Futsal entry) Limited ticket sales cash / card at futsal only.
• Hellas Gold & SMFC Season Pass holders enter via Futsal entrance as per normal
• South VIP Sponsors enter via futsal / vip entry
• Victory fans (pre-paid only) enter via Gate 1 ONLY (Gates Open 4pm). Any Victory fan who tries to enter through the Futsal Entry will not be granted entry
• Victory fans will have 20 minutes to exit after the final whistle before South fans

🚨 ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY
• No national flags
• No flares or projectiles
• No face coverings (excluding medical masks)
• Offensive or antisocial behaviour will not be tolerated
• No Pass Outs

👮‍♂️ SECURITY NOTICE
• Face ID, perimeter surveillance and CCTV in full operation
• Security checks at entry and around ground
• Follow all venue rules and instructions from staff
• Respect volunteers, FV staff, security and police at all times