Category: News

Sunday, 26 June 2005 11:21 AM

By Michael Tsoukalis

South Melbourne have come away from Paisley Park with a disappointing 2-1 loss to the Altona Magic.

An all-round disappointing display saw the visitors comprehensively outplayed for the majority of the encounter with the saving grace for John Anastasiadis’s men being a final 10 minute rush which nearly saw the visitors escape with a draw.

With George Tzirtis absent because of sickness, Arthur Tsirtisakis was drafted into the starting 11 playing in the defensive midfield role. Tsirtsakis aside, Coach Anastasiadis put out a familiar looking line-up. As always Dean Anastasiadis was between the uprights whilst in the centre of defence Steven O’Dor once again partnered Arthur Tsonis with Rama Tavsancioglu and Sammy DeVito playing left and right back respectively. In the centre of the park Kosta Salapasidis was placed in the attacking midfield role with Tsirtsakis placed in front of the back four. Out wide Scot MacNicol took the right wing with Ryan Dinse on the left. The gradually-blossoming striking partnership of Peter Koutsoupias and skipper Vaughn Coveny rounded up South’s starting 11.

On a side note, Vasilios Natsioulas continues to be plagued by glandular fever with his return remaining indefinite whilst Con Blatsis was due to return this week but unfortunately re-aggravated his calf injury during training.

A mere 20 seconds in South should’ve scored. DeVito played a perfectly weighted ball down the right that Koutsoupias latched onto. The powerful striker exploded down the flank and played an inch-perfect low ball across the Altona box taking out the keeper and finding an unmarked Ryan Dinse who from 4 or so yards out and on a very slight angle somehow failed to put the ball into the back of the net. Dinse’s miss was a huge let off for the Magic who would’ve no doubt been shell shocked with a goal so early in the proceedings.

Altona responded with a 3rd minute strike from Cameron Pino which went well over the bar and then a fierce 10th minute angled cracked that sailed narrowly over the left top corner.

Twenty minutes in and Coveny broke down the right flank sending in a decent cross. Salapasidis rose well but was put under just enough pressure to send his header wayward.

Sammy DeVito had been having an impressive game on the right side of defence and his venture forward in the 34th minute nearly saw the young defender open the scoring. A corner from the right was played dangerously close to the Altona keeper with DeVito rising above all but just failing to keep his header down.

With the half nearing an end Altona almost went ahead after O’Dor misjudged a high ball. The Magic broke away with pace with the South defence scurrying back to lay on some pressure. An eventual strike – just outside the box – was had which saw Anastasiadis at full stretch but thankfully for the visitors the shot sailed narrowly past the right upright.

Then with the final kick of the half Altona went ahead. A sweet move saw an Altona player on the edge of the South box chest the ball down to the incoming Kole Delev who produced a stunning first time drive that potentially may have taken a deflection but nonetheless left keeper Anastasiadis with no chance as it flew into the bottom left corner. A brutal blow for South who had slightly edged the first half.

The second half followed a similar pattern to the first with Altona now gradually starting to wrestle control.

Fifty-seven minutes in Altona should’ve doubled their advantage after a quick break down the left produced a dangerous low ball that saw the both sets of players in the box scrambling for position. Altona got to the ball first and produced a sharp first-time-flick on target that unfortunately for the home side was prevented from hitting the back of the net after a fellow Altona player blocked the path of the ball.

Two minutes later the Magic spurned another good chance after a cross from the right saw the South defence again scrambling with Altona managing an angled strike that narrowly missed the bottom right corner with Anastasiadis beaten.

Altona’s sustained period of pressure was finally rewarded in the 63rd minute after a deep cross from the left wasn’t convincingly punched away by a scurrying Anastasiadis. Tavsancioglu tried to head away but only succeeded in placing the ball into the path of the incoming Stiven Mrkela who from 10 yards out but with both a South defender and Anastasiadis on the line still managed to rifle the ball into the roof of the net to give the Magic a cushioned 2-0 lead.

Coach Anastasiadis then sent on the Brazilian import Fernando Moraes looking for an attacking spark and some creativity. Moraes has slowly but surely worked his way into the pace and style of South’s game and was again extremely unfortunate not to have started.

Seventy-eight minutes in and an Altona nearly iced the game after a deflected strike went just wide.

To South’s credit they significantly raised the tempo in the last 10 or so minutes with Moraes continuing to be mobile and assured in his passing and positive movement.

The Albert Park-based club almost pegged one back in the 86th minute after a cross from the left saw South manage a decent header on goal only for the Altona keeper to produce a superb one handed top corner save.

Two minutes later South had a goal dubiously disallowed. A quality ball was whipped in from the right with Koutsoupias escaping his marker and managing to direct a header towards goal. His direct marker got an unfortunate deflection which wrong-footed the keeper and made its way into the net. A tense finish was denied after the linesman raised his flag signalling that Koutsoupias was in an offside position. The South players protested as the call appeared to be extremely tight with first impressions favouring that the goal should’ve stood.

In the 91st minute South finally got on the scoresheet after a superb through ball by Moraes released a South player down the right side of the Altona box. The ball was brilliantly squared with Koutsoupias on hand to calmly slot home.

Saturday, 25 June 2005 2:25 PM

It is with great pleasure that we inform you that the funds required to send Alyssa and her family to the USA for treatment have been raised.

Alyssa and her family will be leaving for the United States as soon as possible, and as a result the Charity Dinner on July 1 has been cancelled.

On behalf of Alyssa’s parents Chris and Julianne, we would like to thank everyone for their contributions, prayers and kind words.

South Melbourne FC would like to wish Alyssa and her family all the best, and we hope to see them back at BJS soon.

Friday, 24 June 2005 3:12 PM

SMFC are pleased to confirm that three of our upcoming matches now have amended kick off times.

Matches against Green Gully, Essendon Royals and Oakleigh Cannons have all been moved from their original 3pm kick offs to 5.15pm.

The club had requested the changes for these, and recent matches. Despite logistical issues making the change for recent home games impossible, SMFC is pleased that the clubs request has been agreed to by both our opponents and the FFV.

SMFC President George Donikian is happy with the changes. “We have listened to our fans and are very excited about the prospect of the Bob Jane terraces filling for what are three very crucial matches.

It is important to note that our club is playing in its first winter competition in nearly two decades and we are very much in unchartered waters.

This move was only possible with the co-operation of our opponents and the FFV and we are thankful for this. It is now up to our fans to reinforce that they are the strongest and most passionate supporters in Australia and get to the game”.

Match Details

ROUND 22 SUNDAY 17 JULY
SMFC VS GREEN GULLY New Kick Off 5.15pm

ROUND 24 SUNDAY 31 JULY
SMFC VS ESSENDON ROYALS New Kick Off 5.15pm

ROUND 18 (Rescheduled) SUNDAY 7 AUGUST
SMFC VS OAKLEIGH CANNONS New Kick Off 5.15pm

Thursday, 23 June 2005 6:45 PM

By Michael Tsoukalis

After a week’s hiatus due to the commitments of the VPL state team’s trip to China, Vodafone Premier League action resumes this weekend with South Melbourne making the trip down to Paisley Reserve for a crucial game against the Ken Murphy-coached Altona Magic.

With their past 5 encounters yielding 4 draws and a loss, the Magic have dropped out of the top six in recent weeks and must win if they are to their maintain hopes of competing in September finals action.

Conversely, in the same period, Coach John Anastasiadis’s men have picked up 3 wins and 2 draws to find themselves in clear 2nd place and only 1 point behind ladder leaders Green Gully.

With the season panning out as it has, a win on Saturday will move South into the 37 point bracket which will most probably prove enough to guarantee a spot in the finals.

For the Magic the versatile Cameron Pino has netted six times this season and must be closely monitored. Pino can play as an out-and-out striker, drop in the midfield and has even played defence in the earlier part of his career. Pino has been well supported by the goal-scoring form of Koce Delev who has chipped in with 5 goals.

Altona’s spine consists of experienced former National League players such as ex-Melbourne Knight’s keeper Martin John as well former South players Levent Osman and Marcus Stergiopoulos who form the core of the Magic’s defence and midfield respectively.

In the South camp, goalkeeper Dean Anastasiadis continues to be in superb form. His latest inspirational effort came against Bulleen where his alertness and sharp saves gave South the platform to always be in the game and eventually score the winner.

Con Blatsis continues to have question marks surrounding his fitness with the colossal centre back having not played for almost 6 weeks. In his absence however, Arthur Tsonis has lead the heart of the defence with aplomb with the emergence of youngsters Sammy DeVito and Steven O’Dor and the consistency and sheer passion of Rama Tavsancioglu allowing for South to continue to have the best defence in the league.

Scot MacNicol continues to chip in with vital goals from midfield with the front pairing of Peter Koutsoupias and Vaughn Coveny one of the quickest in the league.

Thursday, 16 June 2005 12:15 PM

If you want to see your team play every week, buy a membership.

Adult $77
Concession 55
Junior FREE
Family $110

Each new adult or concession member can receive their choice of an SMFC cap or t-shirt. While stocks last.

A reminder to all that the Round 20 clash against the Melbourne Knights will be played at 3:15pm and will be a MEMBERS ONLY game.

Click here to download the SMFC 2005 Season Membership Form

Sunday, 12 June 2005 8:22 PM

By Michael Tsoukalis

South Melbourne have capitalised on Heidelberg’s Friday night loss to Oakleigh – moving into at least 2nd place – after a 93rd minute strike from winger Scot MacNicol gave John Anastasiadis’s men a hard fought yet priceless 3 points against the Bulleen Zebras.

Coach Anastasiadis made two changes to the starting eleven. In came winger Ryan Dinse with skipper Vaughan Coveny completing a remarkable turnaround leading the South attack after playing for New Zealand against the Socceroos in London on Friday and arriving back in Australia early this morning. Relegated to the substitutes bench were the unfortunate George Tzirtis and Brazilian import Fernando Moraes.

The South line-up read as follows. Dean Anastasiadis in goal with central defence seeing youngster Steven O’Dor partner Arthur Tsonis. Sammy DeVito and Rama Tavsancioglu played right and left back respectively. In the defensive midfield position Evan Karavitis again managed to start with Kosta Salapasidis deployed in an attacking midfield role. Scott MacNicol and Ryan Dinse patrolled the right and left wings whilst up front Vaughan Coveny was the target man with the speed of Peter Koutsoupias used off Coveny’s shoulder as a further attacking threat.

South started the game extremely shaky and lacking rhythm. Sensing their opportunity to get ahead early the Zebras nearly went ahead after 9 minutes when a deep cross from the left found the unmarked Ryan Ollerton on the back post. Ollerton directed his header on goal but Anastasiadis read the play superbly, pre-empting where Ollerton was trying to position his effort and as a result comfortably saving.

Two minutes later ex-South favourite Con Boutsianis should’ve put the Zebras ahead after sloppy defending from South saw the enigmatic striker pounce on the loose ball to be through 1-1 with Anastasiadis. Aiming for the far left corner Boutsianis was thwarted by a superb diving save by the South custodian, who again did superbly well to read Boutsianis’s intentions further proving his stance as one of if not the most valuable player in this season’s VPL.

Straight after Boustianis’s miss South quickly countered with Vaughn Coveny latching onto a long ball, skipping past his direct marker and unleashing a rocket-like left foot drive – destined for the top corner – that Bulleen keeper Bojo Jedvdjevic did well to tip over.

The game then experienced a lull in activity with the next significant chance falling the way of Bulleen midfielder Damian Guglielmi who from 25 or so yards out unleashed a stunning left-footed drive that had Anastasiadis at full stretch but thankfully for the home side sailed narrowly wide.

Thirty-nine minutes in South had a legitimate claim for a penalty turned down after a deep ball by Ryan Dinse into the Bulleen box found Koutsoupias 6 or so yards out. The striker used his body well to shield the ball and attempted to get around his man. As he was turning Koutsoupias appeared to be pulled down, but referee Robert Josifoski would have none of it and waved play on.

Bulleen should’ve gone ahead after a series of chances in the 41st minute, with South once again being saved by the heroics of Anastasiadis. The first chance came after an early cross from the right wing seemed to catch out Tsonis who slipped at the vital moment from what seemingly appeared an easy clearance allowing for ex-Green Gully striker Nick Lazarevski to produce a nice shot on the turn that Anastasiadis saved very sharply to his left.

Then from the next passage of play, a deep back post cross from the right evaded the whole South defence with a Bulleen player popping up the last moment to head on target, again Anastasiadis got his angles right and prevented the ball from going in. Finally from the rebound a testing Bulleen shot from just outside the box saw the South custodian manage to parry the danger away.

Just before half time MacNicol made some space for himself down the right wing and produced a stinging cross that Jevdjevic did well to punch away. The ball fell to the incoming Ryan Dinse who couldn’t keep his shot down and blazed over.

Coach Anastasiadis made two changes at half time. Arthur Tsonis appeared to be carrying an injury and made way for Arthur Tsirtsakis. Tsirtsakis went to right back with Tavsancioglu dropping into the centre of defence. The other change saw George Tzirtis replace Karavitis with coach Anastasiadis looking for perhaps more mobility in the centre of the park to help aid the search for the all important goal.

Koutsoupias had been working tirelessly all game and in the 47th minute was presented with a genuine chance to give South the lead. A Salapasidis cross from the left evaded the Bulleen defence with Koutsoupias reading the play well, pushing off his marker at the last moment and at full stretch latching onto the ball with some venom but unfortunately failing to keep it down.

Bulleen then went close in the 55th minute after midfielder Steve Martin produced a decent crack from outside the box that with the aid of a deflection managed to trickle just wide of the left upright with keeper Anastasiadis seemingly beaten.

Sixty-one minutes in Tzirtis played Koutsoupias through down the left hand side of the Bulleen box. Koutsoupias did well to make some space but failed to keep his subsequent shot low, blazing once again over the bar.

A minute later and South should’ve taken the lead. A long ball was played to Koutsoupias deep in the Bullen area. Koutsoupias did superbly well to offer a contest with the ball eventually falling to the incoming Dinse who with only Jevdjevic to beat and with the keeper wrong-footed, sent side-footed shot inches wide of the left upright.

Coach Anastasiadis then sent on Brazilian recruit Fernando Moraes, hoping to get some bite and energy from the centre of the park. Moraes responded looking lively and sharp on the ball. His 72nd free-kick was hit low and well but was easily saved by Jevdjevic. Then 78 minutes in Moraes made some space for himself deep into the Bulleen defensive half. Unfortunately his shot wasn’t on target but the Brazilian was at least starting to provide headaches for the Bulleen defence.

With the game seemingly destined for a draw South nearly snatched it. Coveny broke down the right in the 91st minute and whipped in a quality cross that the buzzing Koutsoupias did well to win. The ex-Whittlesea Stallions front-man directed his header – textbook style – low into the ground and with Jevdjevic clearly beaten a lick of paint denied Koutsoupias his hat-trick of scoring in 1-0 South victories this season.

Many fans had begun leaving the ground when South managed to settle the tie. Moraes broke free in the centre of the park and calmly laid the ball off to Coveny at the top of the Bulleen box. Coveny attempted to place his effort into the bottom corner but his shot was blocked. Fortunately for South the ball was deflected into the path of MacNicol who with still much to do and on a tight angle managed to rip a low, bullet like 93rd minute drive past Jevdjevic and into the bottom right hand corner.

Coach John Anastasiadis was overwhelmed with emotion, running onto the pitch and punching the air. But referee Josifoski had other ideas. The official somehow found 6 minutes of extra time and late in the game gave Bulleen a free-kick just outside the South box in Con Boutsianis territory. The South wall did its job with the Albert Park-based club managing to escape with a vital victory.

Friday, 10 June 2005 12:16 PM

By Mark van Aken

SMFC skipper Vaughan Coveny has made a solid return to international football for New Zealand against Australia this morning at London’s Craven Cottage.

The veteran marksman was a focal point of attack for an All Whites side lacking a handful of its best talent. Despite Coveny’s sides best efforts, their stifling play could not deny Australia a gritty 1-0 win.

While the Socceroos had the better chances in the first half, a dogged Kiwi outfit stretched the Aussie defence on several occasions, including a second half blast from the SMFC stalwart. Although it curved wide of the goal, it had Perugia and Socceroos keeper Zelko Kalac on the back foot.

The second half inclusion of Simon Colosimo proved the difference for Frank Farina’s side. The former SMFC mid fielder scored the matches only goal in the 86th minute, a low range strike from the top of the penalty area finding the back of the Kiwi net.

Coveny received some harsh treatment from Australian captain Craig Moore, but came through the match in one piece and could be back in the blue and white as early as this Sunday’s clash against Bulleen Zebras (3.15pm Kick Off Bob Jane Stadium).

Friday, 10 June 2005 1:15 AM

By Michael Tsoukalis

This coming Sunday South Melbourne play their 2nd consecutive home game against the Peter Ollerton coached Bulleen Zebras in a fixture of paramount statistical importance for both sides.

With South a point from top spot and the Zebras only 2 points out of the relegation zone a win for either side could have significant repercussions on both ends of the table.

Bulleen have been ravaged with key player losses throughout their campaign. First goalkeeper Michael Theoklitos joined striker Ricky Diaco in leaving the club after landing A-League contracts, whilst after a few rounds into the season, proven VPL marksman Peter Kakos moved to the Oakleigh Cannons.

In desperate need of turning around their fortunes the Zebras have recently signed ex-South Melbourne journeyman Con Boutsianis. Even though the mercurial midfield/striker has seen better days, his left foot, set-piece ability and football brain will no doubt cause South potential problems.

In the South camp, Vasilios Natsioulas is still sidelined indefinitely. The exciting winger began training last Saturday but at the end of the session his glands continued to swell signalling that his battle with glandula fever is still far from over.

Colossal centre-back Con Blatsis has missed the last 3 games and continues to be battling a niggling calf injury that may very well rule him out again this Sunday.

Furthermore, Captain Vaughn Coveny is unlikely to play as his call-up to the New Zealand national team for the friendly fixture against the Socceroos in London would see the Kiwi stalwart extremely fatigued and hence likely to be rested.

Even though South will be potentially without 3 major players, John Anastasiadis’s footballing nous and sheer judgment has seen the unearthing and emergence of quality youngsters such as Steven O’Dor, Sammy DeVito and Evan Karavitis as well as the flair of Brazilian recruit Fernando Moraes.

Moraes in particular played a full game in last week’s encounter against Frankston scoring a stunning free-kick and showing positive signs after involving himself in many of the home side’s attacking raids.

Having these players at his disposal should allow Anastasiadis to field a strong line-up with the opportunistic finishing ability of pocket-dynamo Peter Koutsoupias likely to get the nod in attack again.

Sunday, 5 June 2005 11:31 PM

By Michael Tsoukalis

South Melbourne has extended its unbeaten run to 5 games but more importantly closed within 1 point of first place after a well-drilled if not particularly polished 3-1 win against the Frankston Pines.

Peter Koutsoupias responded to the challenge of leading the line with a sharp double whilst Brazilian import Fernando Moraes rounded off the scoring with a stunning free kick late in the proceedings.

Coach John Anastasiadis made 3 changes to his line-up from last week with brother and number 1 goalkeeper Dean Anastasiadis back in between the uprights. Steven O’Dor returned to the first 11 after recovering from a serious virus and partnered Arthur Tsonis in the centre of the defence with left back Rama Tavsancioglu starting on the bench. Tavsancioglu has been nursing a sore groin and was substituted last week against St. Albans because of the injury. Finally, with Captain Vaughn Coveny away on international duty, Fernando Moraes was granted his first start since the game against Preston.

The personnel changes meant that Peter Koutsoupias was given a chance to lead the line. Koutsoupias has been playing most of the season out on the flanks a departure from the striking role he has played for the majority of his career. Consistent young defender Sammy DeVito was shifted to left back with Arthur Tsirtsakis deployed in his customary right back role. In the centre of the park youngster Evan Karavitis retained his position partnering George Tzirtis with Scot MacNicol seemingly playing on the right of midfield but given the freedom to drift in when necessary.

Both Moraes and Kosta Salapasidis were given roaming roles supporting Koutsoupias, with Salapasidis in particular often drifting back into midfield to help out defensively.

The game started out rather scrappily with South comfortably dominating possession but not being able to create a decent opening. After it was reported during the week that Frankston coach Stan Webster had left the club, Webster managed to work out terms mid-week to take his place on the Pine’s bench.

Tactically, Webster sent out his men to soak up the South play, trying to make the game as scrappy as possible so the home side would fail to find their rhythm. This approached worked initially but was somewhat ironically undone when South’s first genuine attack resulted in the home side taking the lead.

DeVito had been released down the left flank making a quality overlapping run. The young defender had a quick look up and sent in a perfectly weighted 16th minute centre that picked out a late darting run into the centre of the box by Koutsoupias who with a text book – angled – header from 6 or so yards gave South the lead.

South had two other half decent chances for the rest of the half. The first fell to MacNicol in the 27th minute after the midfielder saw the ball fortunately fall for him after Salapasidis had chased back and smothered a clearance. Just outside the box, MacNicol made some space for himself and sent a floating right foot effort just wide with the Frankston custodian taking no risks and at full stretch.

The last chance of the half fell to Tzirtis after he was released down the left side of the Frankston box and unleashed a decent 35th minute effort that the Frankston keeper managed to parry away.

Two minutes into the 2nd half Coach Anastasiadis replaced Tsirtsakis with Tavsancioglu, allowing for DeVito to switch to right back with Tavsancioglu taking up his usual left back role.

With 49 minutes gone South doubled their advantage. Moraes had sent a corner deep into the heart of the Frankston box. A scramble ensued with “fox-in-the-box” Koutsoupias on hand to slam home the loose ball from 6 or so yards out. It was the ex-Whittlesea striker’s 4th goal of the season, all of which have come from within the 18-yard area.

Frankston’s first meaningful attack came in the 55th minute after a hopeful long ball evaded O’Dor allowing for a Frankston player to whistle his way in behind the South defence only to be let down by his finish which failed to test Anastasiadis, going well over the bar.

Then in the 57th minute, Koutsoupias almost had his hat trick after a miss kick from the right saw a potential cross loop its way towards the keeper. Koutsoupias had turned his back expecting the keeper to glove easily above his head but the ball was spilt and trickled dangerously near the goal line. The powerfully built South striker failed to react quickly enough to pounce with the Pines defence eventually clearing.

Frankston created another half chance in the 62nd minute after a deep ball to the back post saw a Pine’s player fail to keep his header down, once again failing to test Anastasiadis.

Just when Anastasiadis’s men appeared to be coasting to a comfortably victory, the Pines threw a spanner in the works when an 83rd minute free kick from the right-edge of the South penalty area saw keeper Anastasiadis totally misjudge the ball, coming out to punch and succeeding in only punching air. The ball fell to the back post where the opportunistic William Armour was on hand to slide the ball home and give the Pines a lifeline.

Two minutes later Moraes should’ve iced the game after a superb exchange of passes down the right saw the Brazilian played in diagonally with only the keeper the beat. A well placed side-foot finish was all that was required with Moraes somehow managing to miscue, hitting the outside of the left upright with the Pine’s custodian well beaten.

Football is a funny game and Moraes added further truth to this iconic saying putting aside his gapping miss 3 minutes earlier to produce a contender for goal of the season in the 88th minute.

South had a foul roughly 25 yards out and on a slight angle that favoured a right-footer. Moraes took charge of situation and deliberated for a moment deciding what action to take. Frankston had initially tried to put a man on the line but removed him after the South attack pushed forward. Sensing his opportunity Moraes unleashed a stunning free kick which curled into the top right-hand corner. The Pines keeper was powerless to prevent the strike from sailing in as Moraes tapping into his Brazilian roots, curled the ball with such wicked precision that all the Frankston keeper could do was pick the ball out of the back of the net.

Friday, 3 June 2005 12:44 AM

By Michael Tsoukalis

South commence a consecutive streak of three home games this Sunday when the Frankston Pines make the trek to Albert Park to take on John Anastasiadis’s men.

Frankston are in a massive form slump having not scored a win since their 2-3 Round 9 triumph against the Sunshine Georgies.

The Pines were dealt a further body blow in the past fortnight when experienced coach Stan Webster decided to leave the club to take up the coaching post at State League 1 side Richmond. Webster was responsible for guiding the Pines to a surprise Grand final appearance 2 seasons ago and will be hard to replace.

Conversely, even though South Melbourne have gone undefeated in their past 4 encounters, their last two displays against Heidelberg and St. Albans have been quite scrappy with the Lakesiders extremely fortunate to come away from both games with a point.

Dean Anastasiadis is back in goals for South after a personal engagement prevented him from lining up against St. Albans. Anastasiadis has been superb all year playing a massive role in South continuing to have the best defence in the league.

Exciting young winger Vasilios Natsioulas is rated a decent chance of at least making the substitutes bench this week after nursing a bout of glandula fever. Fellow youngster Steven O’Dor who ironically has also been dealing with the same bug returned to U21 action last week putting himself back in the mix for a call-up as well.

Defensively, question marks still remain over the fitness of colossal centre-back Con Blatsis who has missed the past 2 games with a calf injury. The central pairing of Blatsis and Arthur Tsonis is perhaps the most intimidating in the league with South looking a far shakier prospect when these two don’t start together.

That said, young defender Sammy DeVito has been superb in his 4 senior matches to-date, showing a level of maturity beyond his years and experience.

What line-up coach Anastasiadis plays will be of interest as against St. Albans Ryan Dinse started on the bench with youngster Evan Karavitis getting a recall and Scot MacNicol pushed wide on the right. Karavitis had a decent game and it’ll be a matter of whether or not Coach Anastasiadis looks to a more attacking formation by bringing MacNicol back into the centre of the park and playing Dinse out wide.

What is certain is that the three points are vital to both sides, with South on the tails of both Heidelberg and Green Gully whilst Frankston sails somewhat uncomfortably near the relegation zone.