Author: SMFC Media

Thursday, 29 March 2012 4:18 PM

By John Kyrou

South Melbourne FC travels to Jack Edwards Reserve on Friday night to take on the Oakleigh Cannons in what promises to be an entertaining game. Both teams opened their 2012 Victorian Premier League campaigns with victories in the first round and will be looking to continue their winning momentum on Friday on a ground that has provided the scene for many entertaining battles in the past.

South celebrated its first home game at the newly renovated Lakeside Stadium in style with a 4-0 victory over newly promoted Moreland Zebras last Sunday afternoon. A double from Kyle Joryeff in the first half was complimented by goals to debutants Jason Trifiro and Dimitri Hatzimouratis (who came on as a substitute) in the second half. With players such as Joe Keenan, Rhodri Payne and Marinos Gasparis not even featuring last week, coach Peter Tsolakis has a selection headache already. South will be confident of defeating the Cannons as it usually plays well at Jack Edwards Reserve.

Oakleigh goes into its first home match of 2012 following a 2-0 away victory against Heidelberg United at Olympic Park last Sunday night. Former South player Ricky Diaco scored both goals for the Cannons with a goal in each half including a penalty. Oakleigh will be confident of defeating South on Friday as they knocked South out of the finals in 2011 thanks to Craig Goodwin’s 89th minute winning goal. Oakleigh has no fewer than six former South players on its books in Peter Zois, Goran Zoric, Jesse Krncevic, Rama Tavsancioglu, Daniel Dragicevic and Diaco and all will be keen to play well against their former employers.

Friday’s match kicks off at 8:30pm. Jack Edwards Reserve is always well attended by South supporters and the Club encourages all of its supporters to attend the match and support the team as it strives to continue its 100% record in 2012.

Last time we met

Wednesday, 28 March 2012 9:24 PM

South Melbourne FC is excited to announce that southRadio is back for the 2012 Victorian Premier League season.

southRadio is a unique and exciting opportunity to further inform the Club’s many fans, as well as update the general public as to the happenings around the Club on a weekly basis. Furthermore the podcasts will have content that will be EXCLUSIVE to southRadio. The podcasts will contain player interviews conducted straight after each match. Furthermore, the podcasts will be running competitions and give aways that can only be secured by listening to southRadio.

The weekly podcast will provide a round up of the previous week’s match, preview the coming round of action, regular player and coaches’ interviews, and all the news from around the Club.

southRadio is available FREE as a podcast feed so you can listen whenever and wherever you like. Podcasts can be downloaded from Apple’s iTunes store or via South Melbourne’s website.

Should you have any ideas, suggestions or feedback for southRadio please email the club at multimedia@smfc.com.au.

Click here to download the first episode in mp3 format

Wednesday, 28 March 2012 11:09 AM

South Melbourne FC is delighted to announce the return of SMFC TV for the 2012 Victorian Premier League season. SMFC TV will continue to be screened on Channel 31 at Wednesday 7pm each week.

The second episode of SMFC TV is scheduled for TONIGHT – Wednesday 28th March at 7pm. Tonight’s episode will provide full match highlights of the Round 1 contest between South Melbourne FC and Moreland Zebras, as well as exclusive post-match interviews with the players and coaching staff. The show will also contain footage of the South Melbourne FC Community Family Day that was held at Lakeside Stadium on Saturday.

South Melbourne FC encourages all football fans to tune into the show, and enjoy the best of Victorian football.

Should you have any ideas, suggestions or feedback for SMFC TV please email the club at multimedia@smfc.com.au.

SMFC TV

TONIGHT – Wednesday March 28th
Channel 31
7pm

Monday, 26 March 2012 1:59 PM

By John Kyrou (Photo by Cindy Nitsos)

Click here for our photo galleries of the day

South Melbourne FC opened its 2012 Victorian Premier League season with a comfortable 4-0 victory over newly-promoted Moreland Zebras on Sunday afternoon at Lakeside Stadium. The result was even more memorable as it was South’s first official match at Lakeside in nearly two years following the ground’s $60 million upgrade. A double from Kyle Joryeff in the first half and late goals to Jason Trifiro and substitute Dimitri Hatzimouratis did the job for the home side.

The match began as a scrappy affair as both sides took their time to settle. South coach Peter Tsolakis named a starting eleven that had seven players making their League debut for the Club. Moreland (formerly Whittlesea Zebras) were mindful of the fact that their last visit to Lakeside Stadium (Sunday 28th June 2009) saw it lose 4-0 against a South side that had Goran Zoric, Vaughan Coveny and Fernando De Moraes to thank for the goals. Despite the best efforts of former South player Carl Recchia at centre-back, Moreland were simply overpowered by South’s strong midfield and forward presence. South opened the scoring midway through the first half when Glen Trifiro pounced on a stray pass from the Zebras defence and fed Joryeff with a great ball that put him through on goal and he beat Zebras keeper Griffin McMaster at his near post. The Englishman then doubled the home side’s lead shortly after by smashing home the loose ball following a good save by McMaster from an initial shot.

South took the pedal off for a large period of the second half, allowing the Zebras more time on the ball that culminated in the away side creating a handful of half-chances for themselves. Despite some minor scares, South goalkeeper Peter Gavalas was hardly tested and had a relatively quiet afternoon. With the Zebras committing more numbers forward as the game went on, South had opportunities to capitalise on the counter-attack but were frustrated in not being able to do so for long periods of the half. That was until the 83rd minute, when Jason Trifiro got on the end of a low cross from the right to beat McMaster at his near post. Substitute Hatzimouratis had only been on the field for 15 minutes but he put the icing on the cake for South with a nice strike following another cross from the right.

In the Under 21s, Moreland were too strong with a solid 3-1 victory against South.

South’s next game is on Friday night away against the Oakleigh Cannons at Jack Edwards Reserve. Kick-off is at 8:30pm.

FINAL SCORE: SOUTH MELBOURNE 4-0 MORELAND ZEBRAS (HT: 2-0)

Goal Scorers:
1-0: Kyle Joryeff (25′)
2-0: Kyle Joryeff (33′)
3-0: Jason Trifiro (83′)
4-0: Dimitri Hatzimouratis (88′)

South Melbourne FC:
1. Peter GAVALAS (GK), 2. Tom MATTHEWS, 4. Steven O’DOR, 6. Dimi TSIARAS, 9. Trent RIXON (8. Dimi HATZIMOURATIS 73′), 10. Glen TRIFIRO, 11. Brad NORTON, 13. Luke BYLES, 15. Fernando DE MORAES, 23. Jason TRIFIRO, 25. Kyle JORYEFF (20. Gianni DE NITTIS 53′)

Moreland Zebras:
1. Griffin MCMASTER (GK), 2. Chris GROSSMAN, 3. Raymond LALLY (Brandon DAFINA 81’), 4. William ABBOTT, 7. Stuart NICHOLSON, 8. Carl RECCHA, 9. Vincent FAHERTY, 11. Steven WEIR, 14. Jungho KIM (Danny RADOJICIC 59’), 15. Ersin KAYA, 19. Nace KOSMAC.

SMFC Man of the Match: Dimi Tsiaras
Venue: Lakeside Stadium
Date: Sunday 25 March 2012

Sunday, 25 March 2012 1:56 AM

By John Kyrou

South Melbourne FC kicks off its 2012 Victorian Premier League season by hosting newly promoted Moreland Zebras on Sunday afternoon at Lakeside Stadium.

South enters the new season with high expectations following the signing of several talented players over the summer, as well as the fact that the team is now based back at its Lakeside Stadium home after a two year absence. New coach Peter Tsolakis, a former champion of the Club as a player in the late 80s and early 90s, has signed a balanced squad that contains many experienced Victorian Premier League players as well as several up-and-coming youngsters, including players promoted from the Club’s youth system. The new signings that many of the supporters will be most keen to see will be Trent Rixon and the brothers Glen and Jason Trifiro, as well as Joe Keenan, who missed all of 2011 following an excellent 2010 season with South.

Moreland Zebras (formerly known as Whittlesea Zebras) arrive at Lakeside Stadium as State League One Champions, after winning the State League One division on a dramatic final day. The Zebras are new to the Victorian Premier League this season but have been in the division as recently as 2009, when they were relegated along with Preston Lions. South and the Zebras last met in League competition on 28 June of that season, when a Goran Zoric double (63′, 72′) and goals to Vaughan Coveny (03′) and Fernando De Moraes (35′) gave South an easy 4-0 victory at Lakeside Stadium. The home side would no doubt love to have another score like that come Sunday.

A few familiar faces will return to play against South on the weekend, with Carl Recchia and Daniel Vasilevski two of the Zebras’ key summer signings after transferring from South at the end of last season. Former South players Danny Radojicic and Steven Weir may also make an appearance against the Blues on Sunday. Despite being disappointed at Recchia and Vasilevski’s departures, Tsolakis and the coaching staff are no doubt comfortable that they have signed other players capable of replacing them in 2012.

Sunday’s match kicks off at 17:00 on Sunday afternoon. South members are reminded that they can pick up their memberships on the day from the membership tent at Gate 2 (traditional entrance).

South Melbourne FC Squad 2012

01: Peter Gavalas (signed from Bentleigh Greens)
02: Tom Matthews
03: Rhodri Payne
04: Steven O’Dor
06: Dimitri Tsiaris (signed from Richmond Eagles)
07: Joe Keenan
08: Dimitri Hatzimouratis (signed from Alki Larnaca, Cyprus)
09: Trent Rixon (signed from Northcote City)
10: Glen Trifiro (signed from Northcote City)
11: Bradley Norton (signed from Adelaide United)
13: Luke Byles (signed from Heidelberg United)
15: Fernando De Moraes
16: Christian Skok (promoted from youth team)
17: Matko Budimir (promoted from youth team)
18: Marinos Gasparis
19: Gianni De Nittis (signed from Northcote City)
21: Jason Saldaris (signed from Perth SC)
23: Jason Trifiro (signed from Northcote City)
24: Nick Jacobs
25: Kyle Joryeff

Coach: Peter Tsolakis
Assistant Coach: Joe Montemurro
Team Manager: Frank Piccione

Departures at the end of 2011:

Josh Colosimo (Springvale White Eagles)
Abdelhadi Deroune (released)
Daniel Dragicevic (Oakleigh Cannons)
Yanni Galanos (Southern Stars)
Jesse Krncevic (Oakleigh Cannons)
Sebastian Petrovic (Heidelberg United)
Carl Recchia (Moreland Zebras)
Steven Topalovic (Richmond Eagles)
Brad Treloar (released)
Jake Vandermey (Pascoe Vale)
Daniel Vasilevski (Moreland Zebras)
Trent Waterson (Sunshine George Cross)
Steven Weir (Moreland Zebras)
Zaim Zeneli (Dandenong Thunder)

Friday, 23 March 2012 11:49 AM

South Melbourne FC has announced the squad for the 2012 Victorian Premier League Season.

The squad can be seen below:

Management

Thursday, 22 March 2012 10:57 AM

South Melbourne FC wishes to advise that the offer of a free OPA Magazine subscription will no longer be offered as part of the 2012 SMFC Membership packages. In its place, an SMFC Calendar will be provided to all members.

Please visit smfc.com.au/membership to purchase your membership and be part of the new era.

Wednesday, 21 March 2012 1:41 PM

South Melbourne FC is delighted to announce that match day tickets can now be purchased online at the Ticketmaster website. Please click on the link below to visit the South Melbourne FC page on the Ticketmaster website:

Click here to buy tickets

Ticketmastser has secured the rights to the ticketing arrangements for all events at Lakeside Stadium.

Fans can still purchase match tickets at Lakeside Stadium on game day.

Wednesday, 21 March 2012 1:04 PM

South Melbourne FC is delighted to announce the return of SMFC TV for the 2012 Victorian Premier League season.

SMFC TV will continue to be screened on Channel 31 at Wednesday 7pm each week.

The first episode of SMFC TV is scheduled for TONIGHT – Wednesday 21st March at 7pm. Tonight’s episode will provide a preview to the upcoming season and the Round One match against the Moreland Zebras.

The show will continue to provide match highlights, player and coaching staff interviews, showcase our junior development program and stars of tomorrow. Furthermore, SMFC TV will focus directly on bringing the latest news from the club, as well as providing all South Melbourne FC and general football fans with a modern and fresh view of the club.

Club President, Leo Athanasakis speaking to smfc.com.au said “We are extremely delighted with the news that SMFC TV will be continuing for another season. SMFC TV provides an excellent opportunity to showcase the club to a wider audience, as it will cover all facets of the Club.”

South Melbourne FC encourages all football fans to tune into the show, and enjoy the best of Victorian football.

Should you have any ideas, suggestions or feedback for SMFC TV please email the club at multimedia@smfc.com.au.

SMFC TV

TONIGHT – Wednesday March 21st
Channel 31
7pm

Tuesday, 20 March 2012 1:38 PM

South Melbourne FC is delighted to announce the renewal of its partnership with AIS Insurance Brokers, with its logo proudly featuring on the front of the playing shorts for the 2012 Victorian Premier League season.

The company was founded in October 1990 by Brendon Davis as a one-person business specialising in insuring all forms of business and commercial risks. AIS initially operated from leased premises in Burwood, and in June 1991, AIS moved to South Melbourne where it has been based ever since. The organisation has steadily grown to become the leading autonomous Victorian based Insurance Broker. Clients work closely with AIS Insurance Brokers, knowing they receive superior advice and that they will recommend the insurance program and insurer that provide the best protection for their business rather than an insurer or option which offers an incentive to AIS.

AIS negotiate specific corporate and commercial insurance placement for clients in a variety of industry classifications and also niche products developed for special client groups. AIS have several specialist teams including: Property & Construction Team, Professional Indemnity & Directors Liability, Workers Compensation and Workcover, and Claims Management.

AIS have over 30 staff with in house specialists in most general insurance disciplines. The organisation is one of the few Victorian Brokers admitted as coverholders at Lloyds of London since 1994.

Brendon Davis, founder of AIS Insurance Brokers, has been a generous financial contributor to South Melbourne FC through event and signage sponsorship, purchasing players at player auctions, and general assistance over the years. Brendon commenced sponsoring South Melbourne FC in 1997/98, and was also awarded the Sam Papasavas Award for his contribution to the Club in 2006.

Speaking with smfc.com.au, SMFC Club President Leo Athanasakis said, “we are excited to renew our existing partnership with Brendon and AIS Insurance Brokers. They have been long-term supporters of the Club and we are very thankful for their continued support. Please contact Brendon for all your insurance requirements.”

AIS Insurance Brokers
137 Moray Street, South Melbourne 3205
Phone: (03) 8699 8888
Fax: (03): 8689 8899
Website: www.aisinsurance.com.au