Category: News

 

South Melbourne FC confirms that the club has parted ways with Senior Coach Esteban Quintas.

The Argentinean first joined the club’s senior setup in 2018 as an assistant coach, before stepping into the head coaching role in 2019. Over many years, Esteban has played a major role in the club’s direction, bringing a thorough approach and strong leadership to the senior program.

During his time in charge, South Melbourne secured several major honours:
🏆 Dockerty Cup – 2024
🏆 NPL Victoria Premiers – 2022, 2024
🇦🇺 Australia Cup Semi Finalist – 2024
🛡 Charity Shield – 2025

Across 131 league and finals matches, Esteban recorded 76 wins, 23 draws and 32 losses, including two Premierships, while in all competitions is was 158 games, 97 wins 23 draws 38 losses

Esteban’s legacy also includes a clear focus on youth development. His willingness to integrate players from the junior and U23 ranks into the senior squad helped lay the foundation for long-term success, giving young talent opportunities to grow in a professional environment.

We thank Esteban for his commitment, professionalism, and contribution to South Melbourne FC over many years. His work helped re-establish the club as a leader in Victorian football and a strong presence nationally.

Further coaching announcements will be made during the week.

We wish Esteban and his family all the very best for the future.

A rare Monday night clash at Lakeside Stadium saw South Melbourne claim a 3-1 victory over Melbourne Knights in the Original Melbourne Derby, with a strong crowd in attendance for the occasion.

South started with intensity and capitalised on their dominance in the 33rd minute when George Mells unleashed a scorching drive into the back of the net. The lifelong South boy made a memorable debut at Lakeside Stadium with his stunning strike.

Just four minutes later, Argentine forward Nahuel Bonada pounced on a loose ball inside the area, turning quickly to fire a shot past Knights’ goalkeeper Chris Oldfield, doubling South’s advantage before the break.

South continued to control proceedings early in the second half, though Melbourne Knights found a way back into the contest. Mark Petheriotis pulled one back with an effort that was adjudged to have crossed the line, despite strong protests from South defenders and goalkeeper Javi Lopez, who insisted he had kept it out.

With the game still in the balance, South sealed the win in front of their passionate supporters when Danish striker Gustav Moller finished off a well-saved effort to restore the two-goal cushion and secure all three points.

A commanding performance from South Melbourne in a crucial derby clash as we made it two from two to start the season

Next week, we take on Melbourne Victory Youth at the Home of the Matildas.

Football Australia Media Release Below

Following the confirmation of the National Second Tier (NST) format in October, Football Australia today proudly announced the launch of the Australian Championship, the official name and brand for the long-anticipated competition.

This transformative initiative marks the next era for Australian football, providing a new national platform to showcase the talent, passion, and heritage that unite communities across the country.

Scheduled to kick off in October 2025, the Australian Championship will feature 16 teams in a dynamic and sustainable format, blending eight Foundation Clubs with eight Member Federation Invitational Clubs selected from the National Premier Leagues (NPL). This innovative format bridges state-based competitions with the Isuzu UTE A-League Men’s pathway, redefining Australian football’s domestic football ecosystem and creating new opportunities for players, clubs, and communities to shine.

Football Australia Chief Executive Officer James Johnson hailed the Australian Championship as a bold leap forward for the sport: “The Australian Championship is much more than a competition – it’s a national celebration of football; uniting proud historic clubs, emerging talent, and inter-generational community connection. It reflects the core values of Australian football: authenticity, opportunity, and ambition.

“This competition will complement the A-League, NPL, and Hahn Australia Cup, providing a connected, meaningful pathway for players and fans alike. Today’s brand launch is a statement of our commitment to grow domestic football in Australia and unlock its full potential.”

The competition format will include a group stage – four groups of four teams playing home and away matches – with the top 2 in each group crossing over to a high-stakes elimination Finals Series, culminating in the inaugural Australian Championship Final in early December 2025.

This innovative format prioritises competitive integrity, fan engagement, and commercial viability, creating a platform for players, clubs, and communities to thrive.

Designed to deliver competitive integrity, excitement, and commercial appeal, the Australian Championship will celebrate Australian football’s authenticity, ambition, and connection while engaging fans nationwide.

What the Australian Championship Stands For

Authenticity: Celebrating local clubs, iconic grounds, and historic rivalries.

Discovery: Unveiling new talent and rising stars from across the country.

Connection: Bridging state competitions, professional pathways, and grassroots football.

Pride & Belonging: Uniting fans, players, and communities through football’s universal appeal.

Clubs and Pathways

The eight clubs confirmed as Australian Championship Foundation Clubs include APIA Leichhardt FC (NSW), Avondale FC (VIC), Marconi Stallions FC (NSW), Preston Lions FC (VIC), South Melbourne FC (VIC), Sydney Olympic FC (NSW), Sydney United 58 FC (NSW), and Wollongong Wolves FC (NSW).

These clubs represent the heart of Australian football with rich histories, fierce rivalries, and strong community ties. They will be joined by eight Member Federation NPL Clubs, drawn from their respective NPL competitions across Capital Football, Football Queensland, Football NSW, Football South Australia, Football Tasmania, Football Victoria, Football West and Northern NSW Football.

This unique structure ensures the Australian Championship remains inclusive, aspirational, and representative of the national football landscape.

Football fans are encouraged to follow the NPL competitions and Hahn Australia Cup around the country throughout the 2025 season to get a glimpse of the talent and rivalries set to feature in the Australian Championship. From the local grounds to the national stage, these clubs will bring the raw energy and excitement that define Australian football.

Brand Identity: Bold, Vibrant, and Dynamic

The Australian Championship’s brand identity, anchored by the theme of “Breakthrough,” reflects the competition’s energy, ambition, and momentum. Its bold design features Championship Green and Deep Steel, symbolising growth, resilience, and unity while celebrating the raw talent and vibrant communities that make Australian football unique.

Stay Connected and Join the Journey

Fans can stay up to date with the Australian Championship by visiting the official website and following its social media channels. A dedicated fan registration page through Football Australia’s Football Account, offers exclusive access to news, ticketing information, competitions, and more as the countdown begins to October 2025.

Website: www.australianchampionship.com.au

Social Media:

Facebook: AusChampionship

X (formerly Twitter): AusChampionship

Instagram: AusChampionship

TikTok: AusChampionship

#AusChampionship

Football fans are encouraged to sign up today to follow the journey, celebrate their local clubs, and be part of this exciting new chapter for Australian football. Fans can sign up by creating or updating a Football Account and ticking the Australian Championship section to be able to receive communications. To access Football Account, click HERE.

Further announcements, including fixtures, participating NPL teams, broadcast details, and commercial partnerships, will be made in the lead-up to the competition’s historic debut in October 2025.

South Melbourne opened their 2025 campaign with a determined 1-0 victory over Port Melbourne at JL Murphy Reserve, securing three points in a tense and physical contest.

The match started with high intensity, as both teams battled fiercely in midfield, with no shortage of strong challenges. South controlled possession early and created several chances through Max Mikkola, George Mells, and Jake Marshall, but Sharks goalkeeper Kondoleon produced crucial saves to keep the game level.

The game’s turning point came in the 19th minute when Port Melbourne’s Nathan Dib was shown a straight red card for a reckless challenge on Nahuel Bonada. The foul sparked a heated exchange between both teams, but South remained focused and capitalised on their numerical advantage.

Soon after, South found the breakthrough as Mikkola displayed smart control and a sharp turn inside the box before firing past Kondoleon, giving South a deserved 1-0 lead.

Both teams continued to create opportunities, with new signing Chairle Leech coming close to an equaliser, only to be denied in a one-on-one by Kontoleon once more. South, however, continued to press forward, with chances falling to Moller, Mells, and Andy Brennan, but Kondoleon remained resilient in goal for the Sharks.

Despite not adding to the scoreline, South defended strongly, with Lopez barely tested in goal. The team managed the final moments well, ensuring they secured all three points to kick-start their campaign in positive fashion.

Next Fixture

📅 Round 2: South Melbourne vs Melbourne Knights
🏟 Lakeside Stadium, 7.30pm
📆 Monday, February 17

South now turn their focus to their first home game of the season, a highly anticipated clash against traditional rivals Melbourne Knights at Lakeside Stadium.

South Melbourne begins the 2025 NPL Victoria season with a tough away clash against Port Melbourne at JL Murphy Reserve. As our closest neighbour, there’s always plenty of intensity when these two sides meet, with a strong history of competitive battles over the years. Playing under the lights on a warm Melbourne evening, both teams will be looking to set the tone for the new campaign.

South enters the season with momentum after a solid pre-season, including success in the Community Cup. The squad has been strengthened with the additions of George Mells, Andrew Mesourouni, Charlie Leech, Gustav Moller, Luca Durso, Andre Skapoulas, Campbell Dovison, and Jonathan Pithoulas, all of whom have settled in well and bring fresh energy to the team. With both sides eager to make a statement in Round 1, this matchup is set to be another fierce encounter.

With many former Sharks players also returning back to JL Murphy Reserve, it promises to also add an extra bite to what will already be a big clash.

The Under 23s kick off at 6:15 PM, followed by the Seniors at 8:15 PM. Fans unable to attend can watch the game live and free on YouTube.

South Melbourne kicked off the 2025 season in perfect fashion, securing a 1-0 win over Oakleigh Cannons in the Community Shield on Friday night at The Home of the Matildas.

With a strong crowd in attendance, both teams played out a competitive first half, with South controlling much of the possession but unable to find the breakthrough.

However, it took less than five minutes into the second half for Nahuel Bonada to make the difference. Finishing off a brilliant counter-attack, Bonada slotted a low strike past the keeper to give South the lead – a goal that would ultimately seal the club’s second Community Shield title after first lifting the trophy in 2015.

Despite late pressure from Oakleigh, South held firm to claim the first silverware of the season and set the tone for an exciting campaign ahead.

South now turns its focus to Round 1 of the 2025 NPL Victoria season, opening the league campaign this Friday night against Port Melbourne in what promises to be another thrilling encounter.