Category: News

South Melbourne FC has today confirmed that it has formally submitted its Expression of Interest for the National Second Tier, marking a historic moment for the club and the Australian football landscape. The new league is set to provide a fully connected football pyramid from grassroots to the top tier, with the long-term objective of promotion and relegation between all tiers.

For the latest generation of Australian football fans, this is a unique opportunity to witness the clubs their parents and grandparents grew up supporting playing on the national stage. The rekindling of old rivalries between South Melbourne, Marconi, Adelaide City, and APIA Leichhardt will surely excite generations of traditional football fans.

Football Australia’s framework for the launch of the league in early 2024 has opened up the possibility for any club in Australia, from community to national premier leagues, to reach the heights of national-level football.

South Melbourne FC President Nicholas Maikousis expressed his gratitude to Football Australia for facilitating the creation of the new national-level league. “We finally face the reality of aspirational football returning to Australia,” he said. “South Melbourne has long advocated for this, and it is encouraging to see the positive steps being taken.”

The club is now poised to return to its rightful place on the national stage, and its members, supporters, and fans can look forward to the prospect of playing against iconic clubs such as Marconi and APIA at Lakeside Stadium once again.

South Melbourne FC has a proud history of producing some of the country’s most talented footballers and globally renowned coaches. Dozens of Socceroos have come through the club’s ranks, including Ange Postecoglou, who went on to coach the Australian national team and lead them to victory in the Asian Cup in 2015, and now successfully coaching Scottish football giant, Celtic.

The club’s contribution to Australian football cannot be overstated, and its commitment to developing the next generation of football stars remains as strong as ever. The launch of the National Second Tier provides the perfect platform for South Melbourne FC to continue its proud tradition of producing top-quality footballers and coaches who can compete on the world stage.

As the club moves forward with its Expression of Interest, its members, supporters, and fans can be confident that South Melbourne FC will continue to be at the forefront of Australian football and will play a significant role in shaping its future.

South Melbourne FC will continue to provide updates as additional information becomes available about the next stage. The club will also hold a forum to provide members with the opportunity to ask questions about the process and share their voice about the National Second Tier directly with the club.

This is an exciting moment for South Melbourne FC and the Australian football community, and we cannot wait to see what the future holds for the National Second Tier.

A balmy evening on Friday night at Green Gully Reserve saw South Melbourne FC take all three points against Green Gully.

The 1-3 win over the hosts provided South the perfect start to the season with two wins from two matches, once again positioning itself at the top of the NPL Victoria ladder where the club finished last year.

Forward Ajak Riak joined the club from Bentleigh Greens over the off season and in just his second match he came up with the goods, scoring two second half goals to secure the win for South.

Talking to David Henning of South Melbourne media, Ajak was asked how he felt about scoring his first goals in royal blue. “Oh, it was fantastic. I was just wanting to get two cause the first half I had. I had bare chances in the front third, but I just couldn’t find back in the next. I just told myself at all time I have to get two least and second half.”

Riak had a few fans on the sideline cheering him on and celebrating the goals. “A few of my cousins and friends you know. Family that come along to the games and they obviously drive me on. It’s good to have.”

Reflecting after a big celebration after the second goal, “second one was just like, I have to get a third now” he said.

South return to Lakeside Stadium for Round #3 of the 2023 NPL Victoria season next weekend. It’s the Original Melbourne Derby against the Melbourne Knights which is set to be a massive fixture.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLURc5MXzrU[/embedyt]

Alun Webb scored South Melbourne FCs opening goal of the 2023 season on the way to defeating Moreland City 2-1 in the season opener at Lakeside Stadium.

After the match he spoke with David Henning sharing his thoughts on the win.

David Henning:

Well, I’ve got Alan Webb here with me. He scored the final Lakeside goal in 2022 in that semi-final and he scored the first South Melbourne Lakeside goal in 2023.  Webbie, a pretty important goal there because we’re up against it, against Moreland.

Alun Webb:

Yeah. it was a bit of a bit of a scrappy first half really. You know, when we got in at halftime, I think it was just about regrouping and just really like putting our best foot forward at the start of the second half. Cause we knew that if we start quickly and we can get a goal then, you know, then possibly get another one. So yeah, I was, you know, delighted to get on the score sheet as quickly as we did and then yeah, go from there. And Pat’s got a great goal as well. We held out and you know, we’ve become good at, holding firm when we get a lead and look, I’m glad that we can take that into this year too.

David Henning:

Let’s talk about the buildup to your goal because it was a new signing, the big centre forward. AJ Riak pretty nice flick on. He actually timed that perfectly. And look you’ve, you’ve gone pretty casual about this, but that was a beautiful control and finish.

Alun Webb:

Yeah, AJ’s brilliant. He’s he’s so, so hard to deal with for defenders and you know, he’s a constant like thorn in their side really. And it was a great header and yeah, it was a little bit behind me and I was really, really happy with the touch I was be able to pull it in front of me and get in front of the defender and then I thought keep it low. And yeah, when hit found the bottom corner, I was, you like really, really happy to get to get on the score sheet and make a difference for the team today.

David Henning:

You’re a Welsh native and we love the Welshman for some fantastic footballers. Not many of them probably play in this heat. How are you adapting to the hot weather?

Alun Webb:

I think doing the stuff that we do in pre-season in Shepparton and like makes a really big difference in adapting to the heat. But it’s tough for everyone. I think both sides kind of dealt with it well today. We are doing a lot of fitness, the lads have been working really, really hard and I think that showed in the second half and we, you know, we sort of went from strength to strength in the second half and yeah.

Dave Henning:

Well it’s a good start to the season making congratulations on your goal and the winner as well. Alan Webb score sheet first winner.

Alun Webb:

That’s very much mate. Cheers. Nice.

Photo’s of Alun Webb in Round 1 of the 2023 season thanks to Behind the Lens

South Melbourne FC was proud to welcome club legend Ted Smith back to Lakeside Stadium as a special guest at the 2023 Season Launch.

The 2023 season opening fixture featured Moreland City FC who are recently promoted to NPL Victoria and are returning to the top tier of Victorian football for the first time in 75 years. South Melbourne choose to recgonise Ted Smith as he represented both clubs.

Ted is a former Socceroo representing Australia at the 1956 Olympics. He then played for Moreland in 1957 before joining South Melbourne in 1961.

At South he played approximately fifty league matches, scored two goals and celebrated success winning the 1962 Victorian Soccer League Championships.

He has been inducted into the South Melbourne FC Hall of Fame and the Football Australia Hall of Fame.

Ted continues to contribute to the football community and has been a member of the Football Victoria Historical committee since 2007.

South Melbourne President Nicholas Maikousis said “It was fantastic to once again welcome Ted to Lakeside and recognise his contribution to the club over such a long time. He has celebrated success with South Melbourne and the 2023 season opener was the perfect opportunity to have him as our special guest given he also played for Moreland.”

Ted Smith walked the match ball out on to the pitch and joined the referees and captains of both teams for the coin toss.

South Melbourne FC defeated Moreland City 2-1 at Lakeside Stadium in the 2023 NPL Victoria season opener on Thursday 16 Feburary 2023.

Photos of Ted Smith at the 2023 Season Opener at Lakeside Stadium

South Melbourne is thrilled to announce the signing of current Dominican Republic International Central Defender Brianne Reed.

The American-born Reed joins us directly from FC Nordsjaelland in Denmark, where she was proudly part of the Danish Club winning the 2020 Cup Competition which was their first major piece of Silverware. She has also played for FC Kansas City in the NWSL, taken as the 18th pick in the 2016 NWSL College Draft.

Reed is a powerful central defender who commands the ball both in the air and on ground level. As well as her physical attributes and aggressive style of play, her leadership both on and off the park is a stand out and something that coach George Georgiadis will be looking to immediately add to his young squad.

Speaking to SMFC Media, SMFC Women’s Football Director Theo Chronis was elated with the signing. “It’s great to welcome Brianne into our squad as a marquee International signing. She brings with her experience both throughout American and European football and we are naturally thrilled to have someone of her calibre play for our famous club.”

Senior Coach George Georgiadis was also excited to have Brianne in the heart of his defence. “When we heard Brianne was available we were extremely keen to bring her to Australia and into our club. An outstanding person with natural leadership qualities, she will not only bring a high quality defender into the squad but a leader who can also help grow the squad around her.”

We would like to welcome Brianne Reed to Australia and to our club and we look forward to her joining the squad in the next few weeks for pre-season.

South Melbourne FC would like to announce the signing of New Zealand attacker Tayla Christensen for the 2023 NPLW Victoria Season.

Christensen adds significant bite to South’s attacking third with an ability to play in any role across both attack and midfield.

She joins us from Viajes InterRías in Spain, with previous experience at FC Malaga City, TCU University in the United States and a representative of the 2012, 2014 and 2016 New Zealand Youth squads that made it to the World Cup.

Tayla brings added experience and a proven goalscorer alongside an already potent attacking South attack.

Speaking to SMFC Media, Senior Coach George Georgiadis was elated with his new international signing. “Tayla compliments our squad with her ability across many different positions as well as her experience in both the American College System and throughout playing in Spain. She’s quick, direct and can score goals which is what we want to see.

We wish Tayla all the best in 2023 and welcome her officially to the SMFC Family.

South Melbourne FC is pleased to confirm the signing of Nathaniel Hancock from the United Arab Emirates for the 2023 NPL Victoria Season.

Hancock is a versatile player who can play in any position across the back four or midfield and will be
looking to add further toughness to the SMFC lineup.

Prior to his time in the UAE, he had an impressive stint at Adelaide Raiders after arriving from St George in NSW.

Speaking to SMFC Media, Senior Football Director Andrew Mesourouni welcomed Nathaniel to the club. “He is
an extremely versatile and tough player who can play in a number of roles to help the team. With experience at NPL level and abroad,
we are looking forward to him having an impact throughout the season.”

Hancock arrived back in Australia last week and had his first session with his team ahead of the week away in Shepparton
with the squad.

South Melbourne FC can confirm the signing of young winger Kosta Emmanuel for the 2023 NPL Victoria season.

Emmanuel burst onto the scene at Brunswick City, with his lightning speed and ability to get behind defenders giving him an opportunity at senior level after progressing through the junior ranks.

He then moved onto Eastern Lions in 2022 and is looking forward to making the step up into our squad and as part of Esteban Quintas’ attacking lineup.

As well as raw speed, Emmanuel will also pose a threat in front of goal where he has found the net on numerous occasions over the past 3-4 seasons at each level he has played at.

Speaking to SMFC Media, Senior Football Director Andrew Mesourouni welcomed Kosta to the club. “We are very excited to what Kosta brings to our playing group in 2023. As a pure winger with extreme pace we are looking forward to him playing a role throughout the season and adding significant bite to our attack.”