Category: News

Perfect conditions at Kingston Heath on Saturday created an exciting atmosphere for the Preliminary Final of the 2015 Women’s Premier League. A vocal South supporter base on the sideline was regularly called into action as disciplined structure, quality passing and attacking football was on display by the girls in blue. Tiffany Eliadis and Jamie Pollock both found the net and their three goals catapulted South Melbourne into the Grand Final, creating the opportunity to go back-to-back.

The opening stanza of the first half demonstrated why Ashburton United were on the pitch and a force to be reckoned with. They controlled possession and spread the ball wide on both flanks to create early opportunities. The defence of South held strong and around the fifteen minute mark the defending title holders started to settle. From there on, it was classy, it was impressive and it was all South.

The first to strike was Tiffany Eliadis, who made a run down the grand stand side of the pitch, past the Ashbuton bench, beating two defenders into the area and firing a shot across the face of goal and into the net.

The positive football continued and on the brink of half time, Jamie Pollock found herself free with the ball gently rolling across the grass, just outside the area almost directly in front. Two steps and her right foot launched an unstoppable rocket through the defence and into the net. At the break, it wasn’t so much the two goal lead but the imposing presence South had on the pitch which signalled there was no doubt about the outcome of the match.

In the second half it was more of the same. Ashburton lifted and displayed glimpses of brilliance common throughout their successful season. United were unable to break down South, whose free-flowing passing game provided possession and dominance. A free kick lofted into the area by Lisa Farquhar found Pollock at the back post, who was able to tap the ball down under the outstretched arms of Ashburton keeper Melissa Maizels .

The third goal appeared to break the spirit of Ashburton. With twenty minutes left on the clock they didn’t give in and continued to stretch forward into the final third searching for that elusive goal. It wasn’t to be their match or their day as the final whilst bought an end to their 2015 campaign.

For South Melbourne, the journey continues and a place in their second consecutive Grand Final has been secured. Preventing back-to-back titles are the high flying Boroondara Eagles. The Eagles’ 2015 season has been impressive, successful and amazing to say the least. The star studded purple machine has had a week off and will be a formidable opponent in the decider.

The Grand Final will be at the David Barro Stadium at the Veneto Club in Bulleen. Kick off is 2pm on Sunday 27 September.

 

South Melbourne FC is pleased to announce that midfielder Nick Epifano has signed with the Club for the 2016 season.

Epifano arrived during the 2013 mid-season transfer window and was one of the players that followed Coach Chris Taylor from the Dandenong Thunder to Lakeside Stadium. Since then, the 21 year old has represented South Melbourne in 62 League matches and scored 16 goals. Across all competitions, he has made 73 appearances for SMFC and scored 22 goals.

So far in 2015, Epifano has scored 14 goals in 29 games across all competitions. He has scored some very important goals this season, with the equalising goal against Bentleigh (20 March), a wonder strike against the Melbourne Knights in FFA Cup qualifying (5 June), two late goals against Heidelberg in the Dockerty Cup Semi Final (15 July) and another brilliant goal against Hume City (19 August) that was a replica of his Cup goal against the Knights.

Speaking with smfc.com.au, SMFC Football Director Nicholas Maikousis was pleased about the news. “Nick has certainly had a big year with some ups and downs for us. I am very comfortable that he has turned things around and has helped the team in some big games this season. We are hoping that he fires over the coming weeks as undoubtedly Nick is a talented footballer.”

South Melbourne FC has the chance to bury the disappointment of last Sunday’s NPL Victoria Grand Final defeat when it meets Tasmanian Champions Olympia FC in the Australian PS4 NPL Elimination Final on Saturday afternoon at Lakeside Stadium.

The Australian NPL Finals Series gives all of the 2015 NPL Premiers (the teams across the country that finish on top of the ladder after the regular home & away season) the opportunity to become Australian NPL Champions. The NPL Champions also receive automatic entry into the 2016 Westfield FFA Cup, providing another big incentive for all eight clubs.

2015 Premiers South Melbourne (VIC), Blacktown City (NSW) and Canberra FC (ACT) all lost their respective Grand Finals last weekend. Moreton Bay (QLD), West Adelaide Hellas (SA) and Edgeworth FC (Northern NSW) all won their Grand Finals after finishing as Premiers. Bayswater City (WA) and Olympia FC (TAS) did not have a Finals Series and won both the Premiership and Championship via first past the post.

Olympia FC will compete in the Australian NPL Finals Series for the first time, after South Hobart represented Tasmania in the 2013 and 2014 editions. Olympia won 4-0 on the final day of the League season on 22 August to finish two points ahead of South Hobart on the League table and confirm their meeting with South Melbourne on Saturday. In 21 League matches in 2015, Olympia scored a phenomenal 83 goals and conceded only 14.

The players to watch for Olympia are Emmanuel Tsakiris (23 goals in 21 matches), Luke Eyles (14 goals in 20 matches) and Nicholas Mearns (10 goals in 20 matches) and Gavin Hoy. South fans will want to keep an eye on left sided midfielder Eyles in particular, with the 2015 Tasmanian Young Player of the Year having signed for South Melbourne ahead of the 2016 PS4 NPL Victoria season.

The winner of Saturday’s Elimination Final plays their Semi Final next weekend against the winner between West Adelaide Hellas and Bayswater City. The host team will be decided based on accrued points in Elimination Finals this weekend. Winning teams are awarded more points for winning inside 90 minutes, not conceding and having a good disciplinary record.

Saturday’s match between South Melbourne and Olympia FC kicks off at 4pm at Lakeside Stadium. For those unable to attend, there will be live updates on the Club’s social media pages on Facebook and Twitter with the handles #PS4NPLFINALS and #SMFC.

South Melbourne FC fell just short in its attempt to claim a fourth trophy in 2015, going down 1-3 to the Bentleigh Greens in the PS4 NPL Victoria Grand Final at Lakeside Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

After Troy Ruthven put Bentleigh ahead with a wonder strike, Milos Lujic scored his 30th goal across all competitions, before goals to Wayne Wallace and Chris Lucas gave Bentleigh the win in extra time.

Chris Taylor lost two of his key players in a tough second half. Goalkeeper Nikola Roganovic was substituted after a heavy collision, before Iqi Jawadi was sent off after receiving a second yellow card at the end of normal time.

The two teams could not have wished for better conditions for the Grand Final, with the strong crowd of over 3000 basked in glorious sunshine at Lakeside Stadium.

A quiet first half saw few chances for either side, however the game exploded into action after the break when Ruthven launched a rocket from long range to put Bentleigh ahead.

To make matters worse for South, Roganovic was forced from the field a short time later after receiving a heavy knock, with substitute goalkeeper Fraser MacLaren called in between the sticks. MacLaren performed admirably, making a series of excellent saves to keep South in the game.

Despite being one goal behind, there was always the possibility that South could get back into the match. Golden Boot winner Lujic gave his side a lifeline when he cleverly turned his defender and finished neatly past Alistair Bray after 72 minutes, with goal giving South some momentum. Substitute David Stirton went close to finding a winner when he fired over the bar with ten minutes remaining.

On the cusp of injury time, Jawadi was sent off after receiving his second yellow. This left South with ten men for the additional half an hour of extra time. Despite being down to ten men, South fought valiantly, with MacLaren in goal and right back Tim Mala in particular denying Bentleigh with a number of fantastic blocks. However the extra man proved to be too valuable in the end, with Wallace and then Lucas scoring goals to seal the Championship for the Greens.

The loss does not spell the end of South’s season, with the 2015 NPL Victoria Premiers representing Victoria in the Australian NPL Playoff series. South’s Elimination Final match is against Tasmanian Champions Hobart Olympia at Lakeside Stadium this Saturday 19 September, with kick-off at 4pm.

The winning team will move to the Semi Final stage and will meet either West Adelaide Hellas (South Australia) or Bayswater City (Western Australia) for a spot in the Grand Final. The team that wins the Grand Final will automatically qualify for the 2016 Westfield FFA Cup.

For South, winning the Australian NPL Playoffs will also present the opportunity to add another piece of silverware to the trophy cabinet in 2015, with the FFV Community Shield, the Dockerty Cup and the Premier’s Plate already won in what has been a fantastic season so far.

FINAL SCORE: SOUTH MELBOURNE 1-3 BENTLEIGH GREENS AET (HT: 0-0)

Goals Scorers:
0-1: Troy Ruthven (52′)
1-1: Milos Lujic (72′)
1-2: Wayne Wallace (101′)
1-3: Chris Lucas (120+1′)

South Melbourne FC:
1. Nikola ROGANOVIC (GK) (22. Fraser MacLAREN 64’), 2. Tim MALA, 4. Michael EAGAR (C), 5. Luke ADAMS, 7. Nick EPIFANO, 8. Mathew THEODORE, 9. Milos LUJIC, 11. Brad NORTON, 12. Iqi JAWADI (sent off 90′), 27. Leigh MINOPOULOS (10. David STIRTON 58’), 77. Stephen HATZIKOSTAS (23. Andy KECOJEVIC 66’).

Unused substitutes: 14. Chris IRWIN, 21. Jake BARKER-DAISH.
Yellow cards: Jawadi 61’, 90’.
Red cards: Jawadi 90’.

Bentleigh Greens FC:
21. Alistair BRAY (GK), 4. Troy RUTHVEN (22. Austin WONG 106′), 5. Jack WEBSTER, 6. Liam McCORMICK (17. Ryan LOVE 120+1′), 7. Jamie DE ABREU (12. Dimi MITROV 104′), 8. Wayne WALLACE (C), 9. Chris LUCAS, 10. Tyson HOLMES, 11. Dion KIRK, 19. Daniel VISEVIC, 36. Steven TOPALOVIC.

Unused substitutes: 1. Ryan SCOTT (GK), 20. Marinos PANAYI.
Yellow cards: Webster 8’, Ruthven 39’, Wallace 97’, Wong 106’.
Red cards: Nil.

SMFC Fix Hellas Beer Man of the Match: Michael Eagar
Venue: Lakeside Stadium
Date: Sunday 13 September 2015

 

 

 

 

Tomorrow’s PS4 NPL Victoria Grand Final will be extra special for Vice Captain Brad Norton, playing his 100th League match for the club that he joined in November 2011.

Norton told smfc.com.au that the milestone match would be one to remember only if his team got over the line against the Bentleigh Greens. “It’s pretty lucky…it’s a really good feeling to do it (play his 100th game) in the Grand Final but it’ll only be good if we can come away with the win.”

“Not many players anywhere can say they’ve had the chance to play their 100th game in a Grand Final and it’s a credit to the boys that we have made it this far. Lucky we didn’t finish outside the top two, otherwise my 100th game would have been last week!”

Norton has started 34 of SMFC’s 35 games in all competitions this season, in what is possibly his finest season to date at the Lakeside club. Unsurprisingly, the 26 year old identified the games against the Oakleigh Cannons (7 September 2014) and Northcote City (23 August this year) as the most memorable of his 99 League games with SMFC, with the Club celebrating titles after those games.

“There’s probably a couple that stick out. Obviously lifting the trophy here last year (after the 2-2 draw with Oakleigh) was a game that I won’t forget. Likewise with the Northcote game a few weeks ago (3-0 win) and I scored a goal in that game too, which was memorable. After those games, being able to lift the trophy…. it’s not often you get to win Championships and hopefully we get to lift another one on Sunday.”

Speaking about the lead-up to the Grand Final this week, Norton said that he and his teammates were going about business as usual. “This week the mood from the boys has been good, we’re just going about this week the same as any other week. Obviously there’s a little bit of extra excitement with the potential to win a trophy, however we’re just trying to treat it the same way (as any other game) and come Sunday we’ll be up for it, that’s for sure.”

Norton has been part of a defence that has conceded just 44 goals in 52 games over the past two League seasons. Norton hailed the camaraderie of his defensive counterparts, as well as the rest of the squad, as crucial in South Melbourne’s recent successes. “This year all four of us have created a pretty special bond. To keep the lowest ‘goals against’ tally in the League is a real positive.”

“I’ve played with Timmy (Mala) and (Michael) Eagar for the past couple of years and you always know from their side that they’re going to stop a lot of goals coming through. It’s just that rapport, we’ve got it in the change rooms and we’ve got it through the whole team. CT (Chris Taylor) has tried to keep the back four the same for the whole season and it’s helped us to be consistent this year.”

Since Norton joined the Club, South has finished sixth (2012), third (2013), Champions (2014) and Minor Premiers (2015) in the League standings, highlighting improvement every season. Norton acknowledged that whilst the Club is unrecognisable today from when he first joined, he wouldn’t change a thing. “We’ve gone through a couple of different periods in the last four years. The first couple of years, compared to the last couple of years, were completely different.”

“I wouldn’t change any of my time here though. I had a good time with the players from the first two years and the coaches from then as well. Times change however, we’ve moved on and won two Championships so you can’t really complain about that.”

“To get to play in front of all these supporters, and with all the players that have come through, it’s a time that I won’t forget and I have really enjoyed myself so far. This is the club that you want to be at, there’s no doubt about that.”

 

 

South Melbourne FC Vice Captain Brad Norton will make his 100th League appearance for the Club in the NPL Victoria Grand Final this Sunday.

Norton was signed by former South coach Peter Tsolakis in November 2011 and arrived at Lakeside Stadium having previously represented the Melbourne Knights, Northcote City and Adelaide United.

He made his SMFC debut in the 4-0 win against the Moreland Zebras at Lakeside Stadium in the opening round of the 2012 Victorian Premier League season. Norton’s first year at SMFC was difficult, with the team failing to make the finals in 2012 and also being bundled out of the Dockerty Cup by lower division opposition. He scored his first League goal in May of that season against the Melbourne Knights, however it was to be a consolation goal only as the Knights won the derby 1-2.

Norton scored the opening goal of South’s 2013 season with a header against Green Gully and backed that up with another goal a fortnight later as South began that season with three straight League wins. In the Fifth Round Dockerty Cup tie against Northcote City on the Queen’s Birthday Monday in June, Norton steamed up the field and scored the winning goal in extra time as South defeated Northcote City 3-2 in what was a thrilling Cup tie at Lakeside Stadium.

Following the departure of Tsolakis and several players halfway through the 2013 season, Norton assumed the captaincy for most of the remainder of that season. New coach Chris Taylor dropped him from the starting line-up following an error he made in the second-last match of the home & away season against Northcote City, however he still contributed from the bench during the rest of that season. In the final match of the home & away season against Port Melbourne, Norton came on as an 86th minute substitute before scoring a headed goal four minutes later as South won the match 4-0 and qualified for the Finals Series.

The 2014 NPL Victoria season was a mark of consistency for SMFC as Taylor’s side won their opening fourteen matches across all competitions on the way to winning the League Championship via first past the post. Norton featured in 31 of South’s 32 matches across all competitions in 2014 and established a strong defensive partnership with Michael Eagar and Tim Mala that has continued into 2015. Norton has started 34 of South’s 35 matches across all competitions in 2015 and has only missed one game through suspension.

Over the past few years, Norton has shown supreme fitness and has nailed the left fullback role as his own. In a sign of his consistency and loyalty, he is the only player remaining from the beginning of the 2012 season and along with Leigh Minopoulos are the only two current SMFC players not initially signed by Chris Taylor. He has been one of South’s best performers this season and will want to continue his great form in Sunday’s Grand Final against the Bentleigh Greens.

Brad Norton becomes only the ninth SMFC player in the post-NSL era to represent the Club in over 100 League matches. He joins the likes of Dean Anastasiadis, Tansel Baser, Con Blatsis, Vaughan Coveny, Fernando De Moraes, Gianni De Nittis, Steven O’Dor and Rama Tavsancioglu in reaching the milestone. He recently signed a two-year contract extension that will keep him at Lakeside until the end of 2017 and can reach 150 League matches for the Club if he continues his consistency.

We congratulate Brad Norton on his achievement and wish him the best for Sunday’s Grand Final!

Brad Norton’s SMFC Overview

Signed: November 2011
League Debut: 4-0 v Moreland Zebras at Lakeside Stadium (Sunday 25 March 2012).
First League Goal: 1-2 v Melbourne Knights at Lakeside Stadium (Sunday 20 May 2012).
50 League Games: 5-3 v Green Gully at Green Gully Reserve (Saturday 5 April 2014).

2012 VPL season: 22 games (21 starts, 1 subs), 2 goals
2013 VPL season: 24 games (21 starts, 3 subs), 5 goals
2014 NPL season: 27 games (22 starts, 5 subs), 0 goals
2015 NPL season: 26 games (26 starts, 0 subs), 2 goals
Overall Summary: 99 games (90 starts, 9 subs), 9 goals

South Melbourne FC booked its place in the 2015 NPL Victoria Grand Final with a dramatic come-from-behind 3-2 extra time win against Pascoe Vale last Friday night. 

A 117th minute winning goal from skipper Michael Eagar sent Lakeside Stadium into a frenzy, with South now to take on the Bentleigh Greens in Sunday’s Grand Final decider. 

Vitale Ferrante’s Pascoe Vale side pushed Chris Taylor’s reigning NPL Victoria Champions to the absolute limits in what will surely go down as a Victorian football classic.

Going into the match as red-hot favourites, South were on the back foot early as Pascoe Vale took the game on from the first whistle. Luke Adams cleared the ball off the line to prevent a certain goal from Matthew Lazarides, whilst goalkeeper Nikola Roganovic was forced to make several early saves.

Eight minutes before the halftime break, Adams went up the other end for a corner kick and scored the opening goal of the match by blasting home from close range after Eagar cut the ball back to him. It was Adams’ second League goal of the season and third across all competitions for South Melbourne.

Everything seemed to be going to plan for the home side until Davey Van’t Schip turned the game on its head by levelling the scores for the visitors after 73 minutes. Roganovic blocked the ball from a shot at his near post but the ball spilled out to the Pascoe Vale striker and he made no mistake by cooly slotting the ball into the back of the net.

Neither side could break the deadlock during the rest of regular time, although Pascoe Vale looked the more likely to score. The away side looked to have won their way into the Grand Final nine minutes into extra time when Van’t Schip found the back of the net with a beautiful glancing header from Luca Santilli’s cross. South suddenly looked out of ideas and Pascoe Vale were sensing a massive upset.

Taylor immediately made what proved to be a vital substitution, with 17 year old Andy Kecojevic coming on for Mathew Theodore. It proved to be a masterstroke as Kecojevic levelled in effectively the final play of first half extra time. Pascoe Vale goalkeeper Alexander Pavlidis parried Nick Epifano’s free kick straight into the oncoming Kecojevic, with the ball deflecting off the youngster and into the back of the net. The score was now 2-2 and South suddenly had a burst of momentum.

With only three minutes remaining before a dreaded penalty shootout was to take place, Eagar met Kecojevic’s corner at the near post and flicked a header over Pavlidis and into the back of the net to cause chaotic and wild scenes of celebration on the field and in the grandstand. It was only Eagar’s second South Melbourne goal in his 50 League games for the club but it was his most important.

South Melbourne will be looking for back-to-back NPL Victoria Championships when they play the Bentleigh Greens (2-0 winners over Hume City in the other Semi Final) this Sunday 13 September at Lakeside Stadium. Kick-off is at 3pm.

FINAL SCORE: SOUTH MELBOURNE 3-2 (AET) PASCOE VALE (HT: 1-0)

Goal Scorers:
1-0: Luke Adams (37′)
1-1: Davey Van’t Schip (73′)
1-2: Davey Van’t Schip (99′)
2-2: Andy Kecojevic (105+2′)
3-2: Michael Eagar (117′)

South Melbourne FC:
1. Nikola ROGANOVIC (GK), 4. Michael EAGAR (C), 5. Luke ADAMS, 7. Nick EPIFANO, 8. Mathew THEODORE (23. Andy KECOJEVIC 100’), 9. Milos LUJIC, 11. Brad NORTON, 12. Iqi JAWADI, 14. Chris IRWIN (21. Jake BARKER-DAISH 115’), 27. Leigh MINOPOULOS (10. David STIRTON 77’), 77. Stephen HATZIKOSTAS.

Unused substitutes: 22. Fraser MacLAREN (GK), 6. Tom LAKIC.
Yellow cards: Irwin 11’, Norton 22′, Hatzikostas 84’.
Red cards: Nil

Pascoe Vale FC:
35. Alexander PAVLIDIS (GK), 2. Adrian TALARICO, 4. Adam NAKIC (3. Nathen MEGIC 92’), 7. Luca SANTILLI, 8. Joseph YOUSSEF (C), 10. Davey VAN’T SCHIP, 13. Matthew LAZARIDES (9. Jake NAKIC 65’), 16. Tomislav MILARDOVIC, 17. Aaron TURNER, 21. Michael FERRANTE (6. Carl RECCHIA 117’), 23. Jake HALLIDAY.

Unused substitutes: 1. Dennys MARTIN (GK), 15. Mark PISTININZI.
Yellow cards: Santilli 74’.
Red cards: Nil

SMFC Fix Hellas Beer Men of the Match: Michael Eagar/Stephen Hatzikostas
Venue: Lakeside Stadium
Date: Friday 4 September 2015

 

South Melbourne FC will be gunning for its first State League Grand Final appearance in nine years when it hosts Pascoe Vale in PS4 NPL Victoria Semi Final action at Lakeside Stadium tonight. 

As there was no Finals Series in Victoria last season, South Melbourne hasn’t competed in a title decider since September 2006, when Gianni De Nittis’ header was enough to defeat Altona Magic 1-0. A place in the 2015 Grand Final would be a fitting reward for a side that has already claimed the FFV Community Shield, the Dockerty Cup and the Premier’s Plate already this season.

The big team news coming out of Lakeside is that two weeks after injuring himself against Northcote City, star striker Milos Lujic has been declared fit to play tonight. Lujic trained during the week and has been given the all-clear by the medical staff to play in tonight’s do-or-die clash that sees the losing team eliminated from the finals race. This news will come as a huge relief to Coach Chris Taylor, who must have feared the worst after seeing his Golden Boot winner land awkwardly a fortnight ago.

Nick Epifano also returns to the field tonight after serving a one-match suspension against Northcote City on 23 August. Epifano has scored 14 goals from the flank this season and created countless more through his speed and clever feet. South will unfortunately be missing fan favourite Tim Mala however, after the right-back received his fifth yellow card for the season and must now serve a mandatory one-match ban. Chris Irwin will most likely replace him at right-back for tonight’s match. Captain Michael Eagar and Leigh Minopoulos will both play their 50th League match for South Melbourne tonight.

In order to book its place in the 2015 NPL Victoria Grand Final, South will have to overcome an impressive Pascoe Vale outfit that defeated Heidelberg United 3-0 on penalties (following a 2-2 draw after extra time) at the Olympic Village last Sunday in their Elimination Final. It was Pascoe Vale’s first ever finals match in Victoria’s top flight and a remarkable result as sixth place knocked out third place.

South Melbourne and Pascoe Vale have met only six times in the past, with South winning four times and with two draws between the sides. Lujic scored the only goal of the game when South defeated Pascoe Vale 1-0 at Lakeside Stadium earlier this season on Friday 24 April, before the two sides played out a 0-0 draw at CB Smith Reserve on Saturday 25 July.

Vitale Ferrante’s squad have proven to be a difficult side to break down all season and South will need to be at their very best if they are to progress to the Grand Final. Former South man Joseph Youssef is Pascoe Vale’s top scorer this season so far with 12 goals. There are other familiar faces in the Pascoe Vale team such as Carl Recchia and Michael Ferrante, both of whom are proven match winners and can cause many problems for South Melbourne.

Tonight’s winners will play the winner of the other Semi Final between the Bentleigh Greens and Hume City in the 2015 NPL Victoria Grand Final at Lakeside Stadium next Sunday 13 September.

Tonight’s Semi Final between South Melbourne and Pascoe Vale kicks off at 7:30pm at Lakeside Stadium. All supporters are urged to attend and support the boys in what promises to be a memorable night of football. Those unable to make the match can follow live updates on the Club’s Facebook and Twitter accounts by using the handles #SMFC and #PS4NPLVIC.

On Tuesday evening the FFV announced the eight teams which will form the Womens National Premier League in Victoria from 2016. South Melbourne Womens Football Club applied for a licence but was not selected.

South Melbourne FC is shocked by this outcome. SMWFC has been at the forefront of Women’s football in Victoria for almost four decades and in the eyes of most is one of the leading women’s clubs in the State. SMFC did not apply for a licence in its own right, having agreed that SMWFC would do so on behalf of the South Melbourne football family with the intention the clubs would operate their NPL teams as one club.

Prior to the announcement by FFV of the successful applicants, SMWFC and SMFC alerted the FFV of serious concerns they had about the process adopted by FFV in receiving and assessing SMWFC’s application and related matters.

FFV has offered to mediate the complaint, proposing the appointment of a senior QC as mediator. SMWFC is considering whether to accept this proposal or pursue its other legal rights. We expect SMFWFC will make an announcement shortly. SMFC fully supports SMWFC and will continue to do so through this process.