Category: News

South Melbourne FC is delighted to advise that defender Bradley Norton has committed for the 2015 NPL Victoria season.

Norton joined South Melbourne at the commencement of the 2012 Victorian Premier League, and along with fellow defender Dimitri Tsiaras, is one of the longest serving players. In total, Brad Norton has represented South Melbourne on 81 occasions across all competitions (73 League, 8 Cup) and scored eight goals (7 League, 1 Cup). He has held leadership positions at the Club having been vice captain and also captain on various occasions throughout 2013 and 2014. Norton played his 50th League match in the 0-3 win against Hume City at Broadmeadows Valley Park on Sunday 13 April 2014. Other memorable highlights of Norton’s career at South include scoring the winning goal against Northcote City in extra time of the 3-2 win in the FFV Dockerty Cup on Monday 10 June 2013, as well as coming off the bench (86’) to score a wonderful headed goal (90’) against Port Melbourne in the final round of the season on 22 September 2013.

In 2014, he made 31 appearances across all competitions and battled with Shaun Timmins for the left-back spot when Timmins joined in the mid-season transfer window. Norton has worked hard throughout the season to earn and keep his spot in the starting eleven.

Speaking to smfc.com.au, SMFC Director Nicholas Maikousis said “it was important to retain our core playing squad as we are looking to go go back-to-back in 2015. Brad has the strength of character required to defend our title next season”.

By Skip Fulton

This weekend marked the third and final week in the group stages of the Heritage Youth Cup at De Chene Reserve. All five teams from South Melbourne were in action and the results would see the Under 8s and Under 10s progress through to the Semi Finals.

Under 8s
The Under 8 team has had a developing season in the Miniroos structure. They have played up a level in the Under 9 and the challenge has seen them progress technically as individuals and structurally as a team very well. The benefits of this were on display at the Heritage Youth Cup when they returned to their normal age group.

This week they came up against their strongest opponent in Point Cook. The team played positive football and scored twice to secure the 2-1 win.

Round 1: Win – defeated Eltham 4-1
Round 2: Win – defeated Northcote City 2-1
Round 3: Win – defeated Point Cook 2-1
Result: Finished first in Group 3 and now meet Cairnlea in the Semi-Final.

Photos: http://on.fb.me/1CeVgqD

Under 9s
The South Melbourne Under 9A team had a very challenging group and faced some strong opposition. This week they also faced Point Cook who proved tough opposition. Despite the best efforts the team went down losing 1-2.

Round 1: Loss – defeated by Beaumaris 3-0
Round 2: Draw – drew with Northcote City 1-1
Round 3: Loss – defeated by Point Cook 1-2
Result: Finished third in Group 4

Photos: http://on.fb.me/1sD7dXb

The South Melbourne Under 9B team also came up against strong opposition and reflects on how successful football in this age group is around Melbourne. This age group presented one of the most balanced set of results for the whole tournament. South faced group leaders Bundoora who were undefeated and despite putting one goal in the net, the boys went down losing 1-3.

Round 1: Won– defeated Moreland Zebras 8-0
Round 2: Loss – defeated by Eltham Redbacks 0-1
Round 3: Loss – defeated by Bundoora 1-3
Result: Finished third in Group 1

Photos: http://on.fb.me/1v5p20L

Under 10s
This week, the team would come up against the host team Moreland Zebras in a match that was highly anticipated by both clubs. One of the larger turnouts watched this match and crowded around the field on a stunning Sunday morning. They were treated to an excellent performance by both teams, however, it was South Melbourne who continued their dominant run scoring multiple times to run out 3-1 winners.

Round 1: Won– defeated Whittlesea United 1-0
Round 2: Won – defeated Spring Hills 5-0
Round 3: Won – defeated Moreland Zebras 3-1
Result: Finished first in Group 1 and now meet Northcote City in the Semi-Final.

Photos: http://on.fb.me/1rrCtC2

Under 11s
The South Melbourne coach Jamie Reed had recently returned to England, however, he wasn’t far away from his team’s big match against Pascoe Vale. Being kept up to date on Facebook, South needed a win to make it through to the Semi-Finals.

A great start greeted the crowd when the first goal came in just the sixth minute. The remainder of the first half was well played by both teams demonstrating great individual skill with the ball. On the stroke of half-time Pascoe Vale scored from a corner to equalise. This theme would carry on throughout the match with South taking the lead and Pascoe Vale getting it back. In a minute of stoppage time, Pascoe Vale would again score from a corner finalising the match in a draw at 3-3 and in doing so progressing to the Semi-Finals at the expense of South Melbourne on goal difference.

Round 1: Won– defeated Lalor United 1-0
Round 2: Draw – drew with Northcote City 1-1
Round 3: Draw – drew with Pascoe Vale 3-3
Result: Finished second in Group 3

Photos: http://on.fb.me/1D8inp2

Next Matches on Saturday 18th October

9.00am – South Melbourne Under 8s meet Cairnlea for a chance to meet Box Hill United or Beaumaris in the Grand Final
9.00am – South Melbourne Under 10s meet Northcote City for a chance to meet Manningham United or Moreland Zebras Purple in the Grand Final.

Last Saturday morning South Melbourne FC played host to its annual Corporate Cup competition, which was held at the sunny Albert Park.

The tournament consisted of twelve sides from all walks of life, with former Major Sponsor and Principal Partner Star21 returning to the tournament after winning the 2013 SMFC Corporate Cup.

Divided into three groups, each group winner would qualify for the final four, whilst the best placed second placed side would also qualify for the knock-out stage.

Group A saw the South Melbourne Media Team take part in the tournament for the third consecutive year. The side was a mixture of many club volunteers and staff members, as well as former South Melbourne FC Hall of Fame member Fernando De Moraes who remains a close friend of the media team. They were joined in the group by the big banks, with both Commonwealth Bank and National Australia Bank featuring in the tournament. The final member in the group was a youthful K & A Accountants side who featured guest player and former Carlton Football Club legend and 1995 AFL Premiership Player Ang Christou.

Group B was labelled the “Group of Death” prior to the tournament commencing with Black Cod, Victoria Police, Moray & Agnew Lawyers and a selection of SMFC Youth Parents all thinking that they had a chance of progressing through to the final four. It was fantastic to see Victoria Police also participate in the tournament following on from their participation in the Tony Clarke Memorial Shield on September 7 at Lakeside Stadium prior to the South Melbourne and Oakleigh Cannons clash.

Finally Group C consisted of reigning champions Star21 who were looking to make it back-to-back. They would face a tough test against Trapezi, GPZ Legal and Connexion Media to progress through the group.

After three group matches, the group winners were Commonwealth Bank, Victoria Police and Star21 reaching the final stage of the tournament. They were joined by Black Cod who were the only second placed side that remained undefeated through the Group Stage, edging out the SMFC Media Team and Trapezi as the best second placed side.

In a major shock reigning champions Star21 were eliminated from the tournament in the Semi Final stage by the Victorian Police side, whilst Black Cod overcame a tough Commonwealth Bank side to reach the final also.

The final was a tight affair with Black Cod and the Victoria Police not giving each other an inch during normal time, finishing 1-1 at full time. With the match heading into penalties, Black Cod were able to find a way to victory in an epic contest.

We would firstly like to thank everyone that made the day such a tremendous success and would like to congratulate Black Cod Cafe on being the 2014 SMFC Corporate Cup Champions!

South Melbourne FC is pleased to announce that Nick Epifano has re-signed with the Club for the 2015 NPL Victoria season.

Epifano arrived at Lakeside Stadium from the Dandenong Thunder during the 2013 Victorian Premier League mid-season transfer window. The quick and highly skilled 20 year old made an immediate impact at his new club by scoring three goals in 13 matches that season, helping South Melbourne climb the ladder and eventually finish as Preliminary Finalists.

His 2014 season was brilliant as he tore apart opposition defences with his blistering speed. Epifano scored five goals in 31 matches across all competitions in 2014 and was involved in many other goals as South Melbourne FC secured the NPL Victoria Championship. Two of his best performances of the season came in both League matches against Hume City on Sunday 13 April (at Broadmeadows Valley Park) and Sunday 13 July (at Lakeside Stadium), where he scored three brilliant goals and could not be stopped by the Hume defenders.

Overall Nick has represented the Club on 44 occasions across all competitions and scored eight goals.

SMFC Football Director Nicholas Maikousis told smfc.com.au “we are delighted to have Nick with us for a further 12 months. He had a tremendous 2014 season with a number of man of the match performaces. We look forward to another big season from Nick as well ”.

By George Triantos and John Kyrou

Centre-back and New Zealand international James Musa has extended his existing contract and committed to South Melbourne FC for a further two seasons.

He was Captain Michael Eagar’s partner at the centre of defence in 2014 and helped keep 16 clean sheets during the course of the season. Musa made 29 appearances across all competitions in 2014 and scored one goal. His height and athleticism makes him a difficult opponent to beat and Coach Chris Taylor will be expecting more of the same from him in 2015.

During the NPL Victoria off-season, James will be travelling back to New Zealand to complete a short-term loan spell at his former side Team Wellington until January 2015. James will then return to Lakeside Stadium to resume pre-season training with his fellow South team mates.

SMFC Football Director Nicholas Maikousis told smfc.com.au “we are pleased to have James at South for a further two years after his great defensive work throughout the season. It was not surprising when James received an international cap with New Zealand against South Africa in May”.

By George Triantos and John Kyrou

Sixteen year old Andy Kecojevic has renewed his contract with South Melbourne FC for the 2015 NPL Victoria competition.

The forward had been training with the Senior Squad throughout the 2014 NPL Victoria season whilst playing in the NPL 20s. He was given his debut for the Seniors against the Goulburn Valley Suns on 14 September and did not look out of place, setting up Milos Lujic with a through-ball that eventually led to a penalty kick being awarded to South. Kecojevic is a very promising prospect for the future and the Club moved quickly to sign the youngster for 2015.

SMFC Football Director Nicholas Maikousis told smfc.com.au “We have been very proud of Andy’s progress and development over the last twelve months, and look forward to him continuing his training with the Senior Team next season”.

By George Triantos and John Kyrou

South Melbourne FC wishes to advise right-back Tim Mala has committed to the Club until the end of the 2016 NPL Victoria season.

Mala arrived at South Melbourne from Dandenong Thunder during the 2013 mid-season transfer window and has represented the Club on 43 occasions since then. Mala played 31 matches across all competitions in 2014 and was an integral part of a compact defence that conceded only 27 goals in 32 matches. He also got involved in the Club’s media in 2014 with his own segment ‘Minute with Mala’ that regularly featured on SMFC TV during the season.

Speaking to smfc.com.au, SMFC Football Director Nicholas Maikousis said “Tim was a required player by Chris Taylor and we are very pleased that he has also re-committed for 2015.”

By Skip Fulton

This weekend will see the South Melbourne Under 20s side return to Albert Park to trial for the 2015 NPL Victoria season. It also marks the third and final week of trials for the Under 12 to Under 18 NPL Victoria age groups.

The size of each trial squad continues to diminish as the youth coaching team review and assess each players individual technique, ability, attitude and football aptitude. With the 2014 NPL Victoria season behind them, the coaches aren’t looking to make significant changes but rather tinker at the edges, bringing in only a few players at each age group.

At the end of last weekends trials, smfc.com.au spoke with Under 16s coach Davide Bertamini on the progress the youth coaches are making with the various squads. “We have just finished the second week of trials. From this week, we had the South Melbourne boys joining the other players. It has been good. The level has been good and we are looking forward to getting some players in each squad” he said.

Bertamini also explained the path forward saying “the schedule is the same so every team will train three times a week and at the end of next week possibly we’ll finalise the team. After the trials we start training straight away”.

The structure of the youth coaching team is yet to be finalised for 2015. It is a matter of balancing priorities and opportunities between keeping a team together with the same coach for next year versus providing them with exposure to a different coach on game day.

The strength of the South Melbourne structure however is that during the week at each of the three training sessions, the coaches all work as a team and have full visibility of players across all age groups. Furthermore the coaches actively work to identify players who are ready to be challenged at the next level and they may be developed further through additional academy style training sessions or playing at a higher age group.

South Melbourne FC is excited to announce forward Leigh Minopoulos has re-signed for a further two seasons.

A former junior and youth player at South Melbourne, Minopoulos had a stellar 2014 season with seven goals from 28 appearances. He mainly played the role of an impact player coming off the bench to provide Head Coach Chris Taylor with additional attacking options alongside Milos Lujic and Jamie Reed. One of Minopoulos’ finest performances this season was against Port Melbourne at Anderson Reserve on 28 March, when he came onto the field and scored two late goals to give South a thrilling 2-3 win. Overall he has played 32 times for South Melbourne FC and scored seven goals.

SMFC Football Director Nicholas Maikousis told smfc.com.au ” Leigh had a tremendous 2014 season and played a great role coming off the bench. Leigh has been a South boy all his life and we’re glad to see him staying with the Club for a further two years.”

By John Kyrou and George Triantos

South Melbourne FC is delighted to announce that centre-back and Captain Michael Eagar has extended his existing contract and committed for a further two seasons.

Eagar crossed over from Northcote City to South Melbourne at the beginning of the 2014 season. The 24 year old dual New Zealand and Australian citizen has represented New Zealand at both Under 20 and Under 23 levels and has captained those sides as well. Throughout the 2014 season, Eagar led by example in the centre of a resolute South defence that kept 16 clean sheets from 32 matches. His Man of the Match performance in the PS4 NPL Elimination Final against South Hobart helped South Melbourne to maintain its 0-1 lead and eventually defeat the Tasmanian Champions to book a Semi Final spot against the NE MetroStars.

Speaking to smfc.com.au, SMFC Head Coach Chris Taylor “He has been a stabilising and steadying influence on our defense as well as showing great leadership in guiding us to a championship this season. Re-signing Michael for the next two seasons shows the club is aspiring to repeating this years success in the coming season”.