Author: SMFC Media

Friday, 16 August 2013 9:12 AM

By John Kyrou

South Melbourne FC faces another crucial match when it travels to Jack Edwards Reserve on Sunday afternoon to play the Oakleigh Cannons. A win for South could see it end the round as high as fourth on the Victorian Premier League ladder whilst a loss would be a major blow in the Club’s quest for finals football.

South goes into the match having dispatched of Hume City 6-1 at Lakeside Stadium last Sunday afternoon. A hat trick from Luke Hopper, a first-half double from Trent Rixon and a wonder free kick from Nick Soolsma completed the rout for a South side that has now scored 12 goals in its last two home games. Oakleigh goes into the match having been defeated 3-1 by Dandenong Thunder at George Andrews Reserve last Friday night, the Cannons’ first loss since the 0-1 home defeat by the Melbourne Knights on 30 June.

Several of the teams around South on the VPL ladder (Green Gully, Dandenong Thunder and Oakleigh) have a match in hand and could go ahead of South with a victory in their catch-up games. Having said that, these teams along with Port Melbourne all play each other in the remaining few rounds of the season and will take points off each other, meaning that Chris Taylor’s side should qualify for the finals series provided they just keep winning their matches. The 1-1 away draw against Richmond on 2 August cost South a spot in the top five that weekend but the side made up for it with the 6-1 win against Hume last Sunday to put it just two points behind fifth-placed Green Gully.

Three points against Oakleigh on Sunday is imperative not only to continue the good form from the Hume game but to also make the Cannons’ finals aspirations even harder to achieve. A South victory will put it seven points clear of Oakleigh with four matches to go (though the Cannons have a game in hand) whereas a Cannons win will put them only a point behind South.

In the League fixture played between the two clubs earlier this season on 26 May, two goals from Dimi Hatzimouratis resulted in a comfortable 2-1 victory for South at Lakeside Stadium.

Sunday’s match kicks off at 3:15pm at Jack Edwards Reserve.

Last time we met

Monday, 12 August 2013 5:01 PM

By John Kyrou

South Melbourne FC scored six goals for the second successive home game when it destroyed Hume City 6-1 at Lakeside Stadium on Sunday afternoon. A hat trick to Luke Hopper, a double from Trent Rixon and a wonderful free kick from Nick Soolsma completed the rout for the home side.

South came into the game on the back of a thoroughly disappointing 1-1 away draw against Richmond last Friday night, a result that has cost the side a spot in the top five. Hume came into the match in fourth place on the Victorian Premier League ladder; however they were defeated 0-1 at home by Dandenong Thunder last Sunday and a loss against South would make Lou Acevski’s side vulnerable to being overtaken in the top five in the next few weeks.

The first 30 minutes of the game were reasonably uneventful, however the match sprung into life when Rixon won the ball on the left side and cut inside before curling an effort past the outstretched hands of Hume goalkeeper Chris Oldfield and into the back of the net. In first half injury time, Baki Efi’s back header fell short of Oldfield as Hopper beat Oldfield to the loose ball before squaring across for an unmarked Rixon to tap the ball into the empty net. Hume did have some chances in the first half, firstly when the South defence cleared a goal-bound shot off the line and secondly when Peter Gavalas made an important block after Ersin Kaya was put through one-on-one. South could have been further ahead at the halftime break but for some important saves by Oldfield.

Hopper got on the score sheet just after the hour mark when Tyson Holmes released Rixon on the right side before the centre-forward fired in a low cross for the in-form Hopper to bundle across the line for South’s third goal of the afternoon. Holmes then scored but the goal was disallowed because Rixon had apparently fouled a Hume defender in the lead-up. Holmes had another chance to score shortly after but his spectacular overhead shot smashed into the crossbar and Hume cleared the danger. From the resultant clearance, the away side zipped down to the other end and gave themselves a lifeline when Atilla Ofli headed home past Gavalas, who had been a virtual spectator in the second half but unfortunately could not finish the game with a clean sheet.

Any chance of a Hume fight back was destroyed in the final five minutes of normal time as South tore them apart with three quick goals. Hopper made it 4-1 when he took control of a through-ball and made a mockery of the Hume defence before blasting across Oldfield and into the far corner of the net. Substitute Alan Kearney then won the ball in midfield and with one Hume defender playing four South players onside, Kearney released Soolsma down the right side. The Dutchman had an eternity to decide his target before squaring the ball for Hopper to put away his third goal of the afternoon and the remarkable statistic of four goals in three appearances for the Club. With the match in its final minute of regular time, Soolsma stepped up and brilliantly buried his free kick from outside the area into the top left corner.

South coach Chris Taylor was delighted with the six goals and the three points but was unhappy to have conceded a goal, adding that “I’m not happy with that… we need to get clean sheets, we haven’t had one since I’ve been here so I’m disappointed about that.” In regards to his forwards scoring, Taylor was very pleased, noting that “we’ve got the result today and seeing the strikers score goals is very good.”

It was a different story in the Under-21s as South Melbourne FC was defeated 1-2 by Hume City . Baggio Yousif was the goal scorer again and has now scored nine goals in his last five League games for the Under-21s.

South has another game of huge importance next week when it travels to Jack Edwards Reserve to face the Oakleigh Cannons. Kick-off is next Sunday 18 August at 3:15PM.

FINAL SCORE: SOUTH MELBOURNE 6-1 HUME CITY (HT: 2-0)

Goal Scorers:
1-0: Trent Rixon (34′)
2-0: Trent Rixon (45+1′)
3-0: Luke Hopper (62′)
3-1: Atilla Ofli (75′)
4-1: Luke Hopper (85′)
5-1: Luke Hopper (88′)
6-1: Nick Soolsma (89′)

South Melbourne FC:
1. Peter GAVALAS (GK), 2. Tim MALA, 4. Bryan BRAN, 5. Nick EPIFANO (20. Andrew CARTANOS 89′), 7. Luke HOPPER, 9. Trent RIXON (16. Alan KEARNEY 75′), 10. Tyson HOLMES, 11. Brad NORTON (C), 13. Iqi JAWADI, 17. Nick SOOLSMA, 19. Shaun KELLY

Hume City :
1. Chris OLDFIELD (GK), 2. Shaun ROMEIN, 3. Scott MUIRHEAD, 4. Isyan ERDOGAN, 6. Alan MULCAHUY (14. Cem CIL 71’), 7. Atilla OFLI, 10. Nick HEGARTY, 18. Ersin KAYA, 21. Turhan SUMBUL (22. Tristan THOMPSON 45’), 23. Craig SIVES, 26. Baki EFE (9. Devon BONNE 68’)

SMFC Man of the Match: Luke Hopper
Venue: Lakeside Stadium
Date: Sunday 11 August 2013

Monday, 12 August 2013 10:48 AM

South Melbourne FC wishes to confirm that the Round 18 clash against the Oakleigh Cannons at Jack Edwards Reserve has been moved from Friday August 16th to Sunday August 18th.

Kick-off for the Senior Match is at 3.15pm, while the kick-off for the Under 21 match is at 1.00pm.

In other news, the Semi Final Clash against Green Gully in the FFV State Knockout Cup has been scheduled to be played on Wednesday August 21st.

Kick-off at Port Melbourne’s SS Anderson Reserve will be at 7.30pm.

We encourage all fans to get behind the club as we strive to make the top five, as well as qualify for the FFV Knockout Cup Final.

Friday, 9 August 2013 11:33 AM

By John Kyrou (Photo by Cindy Nitsos)

South Melbourne FC hosts Hume City at Lakeside Stadium on Sunday afternoon in what is simply a must-win game for the home side. With six rounds of the 2013 Victorian Premier League season remaining and with South currently two points behind fifth-placed Green Gully on the League table, three points are crucial on Sunday.

South goes into the match having played out a frustrating 1-1 draw away against second-bottom Richmond last Friday night. Luke Hopper scored his first goal for the Club just after the half-hour but Tom Cahill leveled in the second half to earn the home side a point. Andy Vlahos and Dimi Hatzimouratis departed the Club during the week but Coach Chris Taylor still has plenty of players to choose from. Peter Gavalas and Chris Maynard are fighting for the goalkeeping spot whilst the back four of Brad Norton, Bryan Bran, Shaun Kelly and Tim Mala looks settled, however Jonathon Munez and James Karvelis are more than capable of filling in as well. Iqi Jawadi came off the bench against Richmond and may return to the starting eleven on Sunday although Taylor can always rely on Fernando De Moraes to step into the side as well. If Rixon overcomes his injury he will most likely start against Hume as the centre-forward. Should he not be available, Taylor may opt to play Tyson Holmes in a more attacking role up front alongside Hopper like he did against Richmond .

Hume goes into the match having lost 0-1 at home to Dandenong Thunder last Sunday. Despite this loss, Lou Acevski’s side sit comfortably in fourth place on the League table, four points ahead of fifth-placed Green Gully and six points ahead of seventh-placed South. Hume are level on 28 points with Bentleigh Greens (second place) and Melbourne Knights (third place), meaning that a win on Sunday could see it end the round in second place on the ladder. In contrast, a loss could see Hume’s lead over South reduced to just three points with five games to go in the season. Hume will go into the match confident, having defeated South 3-2 at Broadmeadows Valley Park earlier this season on Sunday 19 May. Hume raced to a 2-0 lead thanks to two goals from Turhan Sumbul (25’) and Atilla Ofli (28’); however a penalty in first-half injury time from Hatzimouratis and then a header from Kelly leveled the scores just before the hour mark before substitute Sean Canham won the game for Hume with nine minutes remaining.

In the corresponding fixture played at Lakeside Stadium on Sunday 5 August 2012, Rhodri Payne’s cross from the left was flicked home by Steve Burton in the opening minute of the second half and then minutes later De Moraes put Vlahos through to score one of the individual goals of the season. Nick Hegarty scored a consolation goal for Hume after 71 minutes as South triumphed 2-1. Taylor will be more than happy with a similar result on Sunday.

Sunday’s match kicks off at 3pm at Lakeside Stadium.

Last time we met

Monday, 5 August 2013 4:22 PM

By John Kyrou

South Melbourne FC endured a disappointing 1-1 draw against the Richmond Eagles last Friday night in a game that Chris Taylor’s side was desperate to win. Despite taking a first half lead through Luke Hopper, South could not stop Tom Cahill from leveling the scores in the second half and must feel that it was more of a case of two points dropped than one point gained.

South went into the game on the back of a superb 6-2 win against Dandenong Thunder the previous weekend, whilst Richmond were also confident following a hard-fought 1-1 draw against VPL leader Northcote City. South needed a win to stay in touch with the top five whilst Richmond needed three points to try and get out of the relegation zone.

The away side opened the scoring just after the half hour when Hopper superbly controlled Bryan Bran’s long ball before rounding goalkeeper Aaron Romein and putting the ball into the empty net. It was Hopper’s first goal for South since transferring from Dandenong Thunder three weeks ago. Richmond could have leveled the scores only minutes later but for Chris Maynard making a sharp block from Josh Groenewald’s shot after he was put through one-on-one.

South should have iced the game early in the second half but Trent Rixon’s header smashed into the crossbar and Bran’s follow-up shot was blocked by the Richmond defence. Rixon suffered an injury and had to be substituted five minutes later as South lost its target man up front. Former South man Kliment Taseski then hit a fierce shot that Maynard could only parry into the path of Cahill, who had no problems putting the ball into the net for the equalising goal.

Hopper had been solid all game but missed the chance to score the winning goal when his one-on-one shot was hit straight at Romein when a shot either side of the goalkeeper surely would resulted in a goal. At the other end, Maynard stepped up to make an outstanding injury-time save that would have won the three points for Richmond . In the end, a draw was not a favourable result for a South side that would have ended the round in fifth spot had it defeated Richmond .

Chris Taylor agreed that it was a case of two points dropped than one point gained, adding that “we did more than enough to seal the win…we need to cut out mistakes at the back.”

It was even more disappointing in the Under-21s as Richmond took a 4-0 first half lead before eventually defeating South 4-1. Baggio Yousif was again the goal scorer, delightfully chipping the goalkeeper for a consolation goal in second half injury time.

South faces a must-win game against Hume City at Lakeside Stadium this Sunday 11 August. Kick-off is at 3pm.

FINAL SCORE: RICHMOND EAGLES 1-1 SOUTH MELBOURNE (HT: 0-1)

Goal Scorers:
0-1: Luke Hopper (33′)
1-1: Tom Cahill (65′)

Key Stats (provided by Steven Orchard):
Shots: Richmond (11) – South Melbourne (17)
Shots on Target: Richmond (7) – South Melbourne (5)
Shots off Target: Richmond (4) – South Melbourne (12)
Balls into Area: Richmond (19) – South Melbourne (48)
Clearances: Richmond (24) – South Melbourne (11)

Richmond Eagles:
Aaron ROMEIN (GK), Petar FRANJIC, Gareth WHELAN, Sam SHEPHERD (Nicholas KROUSORATIS 86’), Ari RITZ, Kliment TASESKI, Mate ETEROVIC, Tim PURCELL, Josh GROENEWALD (Hamlet ARMENIAN 80’), Tom CAHILL, Geoff ANDREW

South Melbourne FC:
21. Chris MAYNARD (GK), 2. Tim MALA, 4. Bryan BRAN, 5. Nick EPIFANO (12. Rhys MEREDITH 78′), 7. Luke HOPPER, 9. Trent RIXON (13. Iqi JAWADI 52′), 10. Tyson HOLMES, 11. Brad NORTON (C), 16. Alan KEARNEY , 17. Nick SOOLSMA, 19. Shaun KELLY

SMFC Man of the Match: Nick Soolsma
Venue: Kevin Bartlett Reserve
Date: Friday 2 August 2013

Friday, 2 August 2013 9:27 AM

By John Kyrou (Photo by Cindy Nitsos)

South Melbourne FC travels to Kevin Bartlett Reserve on Friday night to play Richmond in what is shaping as a vital game. A win against Richmond together with a few other favourable results going its way may see South end the round in fifth spot.

Richmond is currently in the relegation zone in second-last place and is seven points behind third-last Pascoe Vale albeit with a game in hand. Winning its game in hand plus a victory over South on Friday could elevate Richmond to just a point behind Pascoe Vale with six matches remaining in the season. They will be further encouraged by the excellent 1-1 draw achieved against Victorian Premier League leaders Northcote City at John Cain Memorial Park last Sunday. Northcote opened the scoring before Hamlet Armenian leveled the scores late in the second half to earn a point for Richmond. Despite its lowly position on the table, Grant Brebner has had his side playing some decent football but for little or no reward on the points tally in 2013.

South will also go into Friday’s game confident following the 6-2 thrashing of Dandenong Thunder at Lakeside Stadium last Sunday. Doubles from Nick Epifano and Trent Rixon, plus further goals from Bryan Bran and Captain Brad Norton ensured South’s first VPL win since Sunday 26 May. With such a commanding second half against one of the better VPL sides in the Thunder, South coach Chris Taylor will be expecting his side to play the same way on Friday night. With Shaun Kelly having returned to centre-half last week after a hamstring injury and with Luke Hopper making a solid debut against his old club last week (he was involved in two assists), plus several experienced players on the bench such as Fernando De Moraes and Andy Vlahos, there are plenty of options for Taylor to use against Richmond. Goalkeeper Peter Gavalas is also available after serving his one-match suspension against Dandenong and will face competition from youngster Chris Maynard who replaced him in goal last weekend and was quite solid.

When the two sides met earlier in the season on Sunday 12 May at Lakeside Stadium, South came from 0-2 down to defeat Richmond 3-2 thanks to second-half goals from Tyson Holmes (48’, 69’) and Rhys Meredith (73’). In the corresponding fixture played at Kevin Bartlett Reserve last season on Friday 20 April 2012, a first half goal by Trent Rixon gave South a 1-1 draw against a spirited Richmond side that battled for an hour with only 10 men after Michael Ferrante was sent off and then with 9 men when Liam Cannell also saw red in the 88th minute.

Friday’s match kicks off at Kevin Bartlett Reserve at 8:30pm.

Last time we met

Tuesday, 30 July 2013 9:35 AM

South Melbourne FC won its first Victorian Premier League match in two months after defeating Dandenong Thunder 6-2 at Lakeside Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Doubles from Nick Epifano and Trent Rixon, along with goals from Bryan Bran and Captain Brad Norton ensured South enjoyed a comfortable victory against the Thunder.

South came into the match on the back of a shocking run in the Victorian Premier League, having not won a League game since the 2-1 victory against Oakleigh Cannons on Sunday 26 May. Since then, South had only managed three points from seven League matches. Thankfully, two victories in the State Knockout Cup (on 10 June against Northcote City and on 23 July against Preston Lions) managed to break up the losing form. South’s previous League match against Bentleigh Greens last Sunday was a disaster, with goalkeeper Peter Gavalas and midfielder Iqi Jawadi both sent off in what turned out to be a 1-4 loss. Dandenong arrived at Lakeside Stadium having had last weekend off as its match against Richmond was abandoned due to inclement weather. Stuart Munro’s Thunder had a point to prove following the defection of Head Coach Chris Taylor, Jawadi, Bran, Epifano, Tim Mala and Luke Hopper from George Andrews Reserve to Lakeside Stadium during the transfer window.

Those arriving late to the Lakeside Stadium would not have believed the scoreboard that read 3-0 to South after only nine minutes. Epifano opened the scoring in the first minute when he got on the end of Hopper’s low cross to the back post to tap home. Rixon then doubled South’s lead after six minutes when Thunder goalkeeper Zaim Zeneli failed to hold onto Hopper’s initial shot, presenting the centre-forward with an easy tap-in. Centre-half Bran then rose highest to head home from Nick Soolsma’s corner to seemingly put the home side in complete control of the match with only nine minutes played.

Despite being three goals down, the Thunder pressed forward and pulled a goal back after 18 minutes when Eric Frazier headed Feston Azizi’s corner past South’s goalkeeper Chris Maynard, who arrived during the transfer window and replaced the suspended Gavalas and the injured Lajos Hun. The young goalkeeper was then left bewildered when the referee awarded a penalty against him for fouling Nate Foster when it looked like he had clearly claimed possession of the ball before the Dandenong striker went down in the box. Shane Rexhepi coolly sent Maynard the wrong way and all of a sudden the Thunder was only a goal behind with over an hour still to play. The score could very well have been 3-3 had Bran not brilliantly tackled Foster’s run into the area to deny him a one-on-one chance with Maynard. South also had to clear a goal-bound shot off the line as the Thunder finished the half the stronger of the two sides and were clapped off by their supporters.

It was a different story in the second half as South completely dominated; however it took a goalkeeping error from former South goalkeeper Zeneli to secure the three points from the home side. Zeneli’s throw slipped out of his hand and fell straight to Rixon, who saw the goalkeeper off his line and subsequently chipped the ball over him and into the empty net to give South a 4-2 lead. The lead was then stretched to 5-2 when Epifano pounced on a loose square pass in Dandenong’s defence before rounding Zeneli and slotting into the back of the net. The scoring was complete on 79 minutes when Dandenong failed to clear the ball in defence and Rixon cut the ball back for Norton to flick up before volleying into the top right corner of the net. Post match the players were cheered off by the home fans, who could finally enjoy a League win for the first time in two months.

After the match, Taylor felt ‘bitter-sweet’ about the victory, having led the Thunder to a League and Cup double last year, however he acknowledged that “it meant a lot for us (South) to win as well today.” The victory sees South sitting only a game out of the top five, placing huge importance on the next match that is away to second-bottom Richmond Eagles this Friday night.

It was further good news in the Under-21s as a Baggio Yousif double and a goal from Stefan Zinni gave South a 3-0 win against Dandenong.

FINAL SCORE: SOUTH MELBOURNE 6-2 DANDENONG THUNDER (HT: 3-2)

Goal Scorers:
1-0: Nick Epifano (1′)
2-0: Trent Rixon (6′)
3-0: Bryan Bran (9′)
3-1: Eric Frazier (19′)
3-2: Shane Rexhepi (25′ pk)
4-2: Trent Rixon (53′)
5-2: Nick Epifano (66′)
6-2: Brad Norton (79′)

Key Stats (provided by Steven Orchard):
Shots: South Melbourne (13) – Dandenong Thunder (11)
On Target: South Melbourne (8) – Dandenong Thunder (7)
Off Target: South Melbourne (5) – Dandenong Thunder (4)
Offsides: South Melbourne (10) – Dandenong Thunder (3)
Turnovers: South Melbourne (37) – Dandenong Thunder (65)
Balls into Area: South Melbourne (30) – Dandenong Thunder (24)
Shots Blocked: South Melbourne (5) – Dandenong Thunder (0)

South Melbourne FC:
21. Chris MAYNARD (GK), 2. Tim MALA, 4. Bryan BRAN, 5. Nick EPIFANO (14. Andy VLAHOS (86′), 7. Luke HOPPER, 9. Trent RIXON (12. Rhys MEREDITH 83′), 10. Tyson HOLMES, 11. Brad NORTON (C), 16. Alan KEARNEY , 17. Nick SOOLSMA, 19. Shaun KELLY

Dandenong Thunder:
1. Zaim ZENELI (GK), 4. Faisal SAFA (2. Brendan ELMAZOVSKI 74′), 6. Steven TOPALOVIC, 8. Matthew THEODORE, 10. Feston AZIZI (22. Sean MCILROY 59′), 11. Keegan ZIADA (17. Kieran DOVER 85′), 13. Shane REXHEPI, 16. Thomas SHANNON, 18. Craig ELVIN, 19. Nate FOSTER, 20. Eric FRAZIER

SMFC Man of the Match: Bryan Bran
Venue: Lakeside Stadium
Date: Sunday 28 July 2013

Monday, 29 July 2013 2:08 PM

Following the Club’s Press Release on 4 July 2013 advising of the Club’s concerns with the proposed model to implement the National Competition Review (NCR) recommendations, the Club now announces that it has withdrawn from the FFV process to implement its proposed model.

Together with numerous other clubs which had submitted an Expression of Interest (EOI), a joint statement to the FFV has been sent earlier today by which all the signatory clubs informed the FFV and FFA of their formal withdrawal from the process.

The seventeen signatory clubs to the joint statement are supported, in their joint statement, by eight clubs which have previously publicly announced that they would not submit an EOI and criticising the FFV’s model for the NPLV. In addition, three other clubs or entities which had previously submitted an EOI have now informed the FFV directly that they have withdrawn from the application process. More clubs are expected to make a statement over the coming days announcing their withdrawal.

South Melbourne FC is concerned about a number of key failings of the FFV’s proposed model to implement key elements of the NCR, including:

• Its failure to achieve the critical aim of the NCR to rebrand the premier league in each State under the single banner (NPL).
• Its failure to improve the financial and commercial position of State leagues and clubs or intended by the NCR and instead, proposing a model which will critically damage the financial and commercial position of our State league and the clubs, including our Club, rendering the FFV model financially unviable.
• Its failure to achieve the critical NCR aim of consistency across all States with the proposed Victorian model critically weakening many clubs, including ours.

South Melbourne FC has repeatedly detailed its concerns to FFV and is very disappointed with FFV’s approach. Along with other clubs and organisations, including Parks and Leisure Australia (PLS) which is the national peak organisation representing professionals working in the sporting, recreation and park sectors, South Melbourne FC considers FFV’s so called ‘consultation process’ to have been no more than an information giving exercise. FFV has neither addressed nor incorporated the key concerns of clubs, including ours, in its proposed model.

As the introduction of the National Premier Leagues through the NCR process was an FFA initiative, South Melbourne FC now expects FFA will take an active role in ensuring that FFV properly implements its model in Victoria.

Our Club is mindful that the present FFV model does not adequately meet the legal obligations of FFA and FFV to implement the recommendations of the NCR. Whilst South Melbourne FC is mindful that legal action is appropriate only as a last resort, it wishes to assure its members and supporters that it will take the necessary steps to protect the interests of the Club and is now actively exploring its legal avenues to ensure that it is not unfairly and wrongly disadvantaged by the introduction of a flawed NPLV.

South Melbourne FC remains confident that the FFV will make the necessary changes to its model to ensure the proper implementation of the NCR recommendations resulting in a strong rebranded premier league in Victoria as part of the nationwide NPL. South Melbourne FC continues to support the principles of the NCR recommendations.

All enquiries to Tom Kalas on 0419 996 645 or tom@smfc.com.au.

Nick Galatas
Chairman
South Melbourne Football Club

Tuesday, 23 July 2013 12:18 PM

South Melbourne FC wishes to advise its members that it will be holding a two hour Member Information Session on Tuesday 6th August at Principal Partner Beachcomber Cafe commencing at 7.30pm.

The Member Information Session will cover the following topics:

• A-League
• National Premier League
• Social Club redevelopment
• Junior Pavilion
• Football

Members will have the opportunity to ask questions throughout the session.

Monday, 22 July 2013 1:03 PM

South Melbourne FC is pleased to announce the signing of goalkeeper Chris Maynard, who returns to the Club after three seasons away playing in the lower divisions of Victorian football.

Chris was a member of the South Melbourne Under 18s and Under 21s Championship winning teams in 2010. He then moved to State League One side Western Suburbs and made his debut in the senior side at 17 years of age. Midway through the 2011 season, Chris signed with State League Two side Malvern City and spent approximately 18 months with the club. Ironically he was in goal when South defeated Malvern 2-1 in the Fourth Round of the State Knockout Cup at John Cain Memorial Park on 29 April 2012. Chris signed a youth contract with Melbourne Heart FC for the 2012/13 season and then returned to Western Suburbs before deciding to return to South.

South Melbourne FC welcomes Chris Maynard back to the Club and wishes him the best for the rest of the season.