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Edited by chris: 23/3/2012 04:13:53 PM

Official 2012 squad ---> Below link

http://www.smfc.com.au/news/1161/2012-smfc-senior-squad-announced/

South Melbourne FC is delighted to announce that match day tickets can now be purchased online at the Ticketmaster website. Please click on the link below to visit the South Melbourne FC page on the Ticketmaster website:

http://www.ticketmaster.com.au/South-Melbourne-FC-tickets/artist/1705754?fb_ref=FBKLikeArtist%3BFBKLikeArtist&fb_source=home_oneline

South Melbourne FC is delighted to announce the return of SMFC TV for the 2012 Victorian Premier League season.

SMFC TV will continue to be screened on Channel 31 at Wednesday 7pm each week.

The first episode of SMFC TV is scheduled for TONIGHT - Wednesday 21st March at 7pm. Tonight's episode will provide a preview to the upcoming season and the Round One match against the Moreland Zebras.

The show will continue to provide match highlights, player and coaching staff interviews, showcase our junior development program and stars of tomorrow. Furthermore, SMFC TV will focus directly on bringing the latest news from the club, as well as providing all South Melbourne FC and general football fans with a modern and fresh view of the club.

Club President, Leo Athanasakis speaking to smfc.com.au said "We are extremely delighted with the news that SMFC TV will be continuing for another season. SMFC TV provides an excellent opportunity to showcase the club to a wider audience, as it will cover all facets of the Club."

South Melbourne FC encourages all football fans to tune into the show, and enjoy the best of Victorian football.

Should you have any ideas, suggestions or feedback for SMFC TV please email the club at multimedia@smfc.com.au.

SMFC TV
TONIGHT - Wednesday
Channel 31
7pm

Edited by chris: 23/3/2012 04:32:04 PM

Looking forward to catching up with you at the game on Sunday Chris.

absoltely

4-0 yesterday, not bad. Can play better.

26 March 2012 1:59 PM



By John Kyrou (Photo by Cindy Nitsos)

Click here for our photo galleries of the day

South Melbourne FC opened its 2012 Victorian Premier League season with a comfortable 4-0 victory over newly-promoted Moreland Zebras on Sunday afternoon at Lakeside Stadium. The result was even more memorable as it was South's first official match at Lakeside in nearly two years following the ground's $60 million upgrade. A double from Kyle Joryeff in the first half and late goals to Jason Trifiro and substitute Dimitri Hatzimouratis did the job for the home side.

The match began as a scrappy affair as both sides took their time to settle. South coach Peter Tsolakis named a starting eleven that had seven players making their League debut for the Club. Moreland (formerly Whittlesea Zebras) were mindful of the fact that their last visit to Lakeside Stadium (Sunday 28th June 2009) saw it lose 4-0 against a South side that had Goran Zoric, Vaughan Coveny and Fernando De Moraes to thank for the goals. Despite the best efforts of former South player Carl Recchia at centre-back, Moreland were simply overpowered by South's strong midfield and forward presence. South opened the scoring midway through the first half when Glen Trifiro pounced on a stray pass from the Zebras defence and fed Joryeff with a great ball that put him through on goal and he beat Zebras keeper Griffin McMaster at his near post. The Englishman then doubled the home side's lead shortly after by smashing home the loose ball following a good save by McMaster from an initial shot.



South took the pedal off for a large period of the second half, allowing the Zebras more time on the ball that culminated in the away side creating a handful of half-chances for themselves. Despite some minor scares, South goalkeeper Peter Gavalas was hardly tested and had a relatively quiet afternoon. With the Zebras committing more numbers forward as the game went on, South had opportunities to capitalise on the counter-attack but were frustrated in not being able to do so for long periods of the half. That was until the 83rd minute, when Jason Trifiro got on the end of a low cross from the right to beat McMaster at his near post. Substitute Hatzimouratis had only been on the field for 15 minutes but he put the icing on the cake for South with a nice strike following another cross from the right.

South's next game is on Friday night away against the Oakleigh Cannons at Jack Edwards Reserve. Kick-off is at 8:30pm.

FINAL SCORE: SOUTH MELBOURNE 4-0 MORELAND ZEBRAS (HT: 2-0)
Goal Scorers:
1-0: Kyle Joryeff (25')
2-0: Kyle Joryeff (33')
3-0: Jason Trifiro (83')
4-0: Dimitri Hatzimouratis (88')

South Melbourne FC:
1. Peter GAVALAS (GK), 2. Tom MATTHEWS, 4. Steven O'DOR, 6. Dimi TSIARIS, 9. Trent RIXON (8. Dimi HATZIMOURATIS 73'), 10. Glen TRIFIRO, 11. Brad NORTON, 13. Luke BYLES, 15. Fernando DE MORAES, 23. Jason TRIFIRO, 25. Kyle JORYEFF (20. Gianni DE NITTIS 53')

Moreland Zebras:
1. Griffin MCMASTER (GK), 2. Chris GROSSMAN, 3. Raymond LALLY (Brandon DAFINA 81’), 4. William ABBOTT, 7. Stuart NICHOLSON, 8. Carl RECCHA, 9. Vincent FAHERTY, 11. Steven WEIR, 14. Jungho KIM (Danny RADOJICIC 59’), 15. Ersin KAYA, 19. Nace KOSMAC.

SMFC Man of the Match: Dimi Tsiaris
Date: Sunday 25 March 2012
Venue: Lakeside Stadium
Crowd: 2600 approx

http://www.smfc.com.au/news/1163/south-returns-home-in-style/



Edited by chris: 26/3/2012 03:31:25 PM

What's the average wage of a south melbourne first team player? Just interested. I know that some clubs in the NSWPL are spending close to $1million on players (and getting no where e.g. marconi). Just wanted a comparison.

Wages across the league probably vary from say, $200-300 to maybe $1200-1500 for the supposed cream of the crop. Quality keepers and strikers are relatively thin on the ground in Victoria, and I reckon they're commanding the most money at the moment.

Interesting. is that a season or per game? must be per game surely?

Per game.

In some rare instances players get sign on fees as well - Jesse Krncevic was rumoured to have received a 10k sign on fee upon his move from South to Oakleigh. Make of that what you will.

Springvale White Eagles, who were relegated last season, reportedly had a weekly wage of about 2k. Not sure of the veracity of that. 4k a week is probably the VPL's bottom end in terms of weekly wage costs. I'd rather not know what Oakleigh, South, Thunder and Gully are paying.

I know for a fact that there are state league 2 sides who are paying 3k a week for a win, about half that for a loss - even though state 2 and below is supposed to be 'amateur'.

south sprigvale the club you are thinking of blackmissionary or maybe mornington

I'm thinking of certain clubs in state 2 north-west. Don't doubt for a second though that some clubs in the south-east would be around that mark as well though. If you're at the right club in state 3, you can also get some decent coin for your efforts.

This Friday south play Oakleigh at Jack Edwards Reserve
Another bumper crowd on the cards - I predict 2,500 to 3,000

Loved the stadium and the atmosphere - don't think much of the new 'silver' tops though. Prefer a straight white for the change strip.

Cracking win though - looking forward to Friday - hoping that some of the showboating back-heels are left off the pitch and replaced with a bit more thought.

2600 is a massive crowd. well done on achieving it. I hope it's not a one off

Our best crowd is usually the first home game, when the weather is still fine, and the footy, junior soccer and state leagues haven't started. Kinda screwed over by the draw in that regard this season, as we now have three away games in a row, and the Easter round break before we get home again, and the fact that league has started five weeks later than before.

Still, the return to Lakeside went well, and I think people who weren't keeping up to date with the redevelopment would have been very surprised at how awesome the setup is, as well as the professionalism of the match day 'presentation' in general.

professionalism of the match day presentation!!!!

you wasted so much of my bandwith as the game didn't start till 15 minutes after its scheduled time, hahahaha.

Because there were still tons of people waiting outside buying/collecting memberships etc. Was more talking about the job inside the ground.

Was good to be finally back 'home'. A 4-0 R1 home win was an excellent way to kick off the new season. Zebras were not the best so I'm not going to get carried away with that result. Hopefully the team can gel as there's quite a few new signings and have a decent season. Given the quality of our squad I expect us to be up there challenging.
The redeveloped stadium looked superb, the facilities excellent and will be even better for us when our social club gets refurbished(way too good for VPL that's for sure). The club has done superbly getting us into a scenario whereby we're playing out of a world class venue and making a dollar from it to boot!!!!
The aths track is a bit of an inconvenience but it's the VPL we're watching not EPL.

Looking fwd to friday nights match up with Oakleigh at their ground. The pre-match pit stop at Nikos Cakes in Oakleigh is a season highlight, best cakes going around. Always a good crowd/atmosphere there(usually 2-3k) and it's probably the closest South has to a grudge match nowdays.

Nikos cakes are the best in Australia. Always a 'must-do' for me when I go to Melbourne.

I don't like Nikos cakes. Much prefer Vanilla's offerings out of the Oakleigh precinct.

SMFC TV ON CHANNEL 31 TONIGHT!

South Melbourne FC is delighted to announce the return of SMFC TV for the 2012 Victorian Premier League season. SMFC TV will continue to be screened on Channel 31 at Wednesday 7pm each week.
The second episode of SMFC TV is scheduled for TONIGHT - Wednesday 28th March at 7pm. Tonight's episode will provide full match highlights of the Round 1 contest between South Melbourne FC and Moreland Zebras, as well as exclusive post-match interviews with the players and coaching staff. The show will also contain footage of the SouIth Melbourne FC Community Family Day that was held at Lakeside Stadium on Saturday.
South Melbourne FC encourages all football fans to tune into the show, and enjoy the best of Victorian football.
Should you have any ideas, suggestions or feedback for SMFC TV please email the club at multimedia@smfc.com.au.
SMFC TV
TONIGHT - Wednesday March 28th
Channel 31
7pm


Edited by chris: 28/3/2012 04:25:33 PM

After the SMFC - Olympic game, my parents didn't allow me to come back home unless i brought back for them kourabie and touloumbes from Nikos ](*,) ](*,)

Next time you're in town, go to 'Melissa' on Smith Street, Collingwood, best spanakopita in the city, maybe even the country.

Oakleigh V smfc

http://www.smfc.com.au/news/1166/smfc-vs-oakleigh-derby-match-preview/

Match Preview!

What is with the ground in that video? are they just playing on dirt?

This week's episode will provide full match highlights of the Round 1 contest between South Melbourne FC and Moreland Zebras, as well as exclusive post-match interviews with the players and coaching staff. The show will also contain footage of the South Melbourne FC Community Family Day that was held at Lakeside Stadium on Saturday.

Click here to see our show
http://c31.org.au/schedule/view/episode/52135

shocking wasnt it

smfctv version in HD

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOy2eges4Uc&feature=player_embedded

Edited by chris: 30/3/2012 04:55:11 PM

Oakleigh 1 - smfc 3

Amazing 60 minutes of football (30-90)

Oakleigh came out fired up as expoected with some killa challenges and enjoyed the momentum in the first 30 and scored a nice goal bottom corner from outside the area - however one challenge too many which sparked an "all in" - that mini brawl was the turning point immediately - it's as if someone flicked a switch and our players realized they were in a derby

Before that incident Oakleigh were in derby mode and we were still in Moreland mode from last week

But our reply after that incident was amazing - absolutely amazing
The way we played the ball out from defense and through midfield and the level of speed and accurancy and our intensity around the ground was surreal - And our last 20 mins was the strongest I can recall at VPL level --- we just grinded Oakleigh to a halt - we left them behind in a big way and on their own matress

I loved it

And when you consider we have more improvement to come - well just wow

What a game


A certain journo at the ground on the night made the following comment

" the second half was the best football I've seen played at VPL in 5 years, first half cannons came out physical, but could not contain the quality football SMFC played. No matter who you follow, it's worth going to see football of that quality"


Only round 2 but mouth watering stuff

Edited by chris: 31/3/2012 06:03:51 PM

Oakleigh looked the hungrier team, with South struggling to get anything meaningful going at all. Bad tackles or not, they seemed like they really wanted to win this game. When they opened the scoring, it should have set the alarm bells ringing for South, but it didn't seem to make much difference.

The turning point was when Dimi Tsiaras copped an elbow or forearm to the head, leaving him bleeding, but no foul given and play allowed to continue. After that, South started gradually working their way back into the game, earning a few corners and taking some sort of momentum into the break.



The second half was a massive improvement from our side. Once the early equaliser went in, the question became when rather if we would score again. As it happened, we added another two for good measure. It was great to see Trent Rixon on the score sheet as well. Get it out of the way nice and early in the season. Seven goals scored so far, with six different scorers.

As good as the second half was from South, it should not have taken 35 minutes and a forearm to the head for them to wake up and start playing some football. That's the one thing I'll pull out of this game as a pointer to the improvement we have left in reserve.

Different coach, same tactics from the home team, and all this despite the field seemingly being in reasonable nick. Bomb it long to the forwards, and hack, hack, hack. Oakleigh have decent talent on their books, and they sell themselves short when they resort to these rubbish tactics.

Of course, one can't let the refs off in this area. In a properly officiated competition, a player like Frankie Lagana would have such a poor repuation, that he wouldn't be able to sneeze oin the field without getting into trouble. But this is the VPL, where foul language is viewed upon as the greater sin compared to a forearm to the head.

Minor Observations
Message to the Oakleigh goalkeeper (who was not Peter Zois, who was absent for whatever reason). When you start time wasting from the first minute of the second half, you know you're in trouble.




Disappointing crowd. Did anyone cheer when Oakleigh scored? When they scored the poor Oakleigh players felt they had to run towards Clarendon Corner for some reason. South fans should be used to that by now.

The Charles Dickens Tavern is still a nice place for pre-game meetups.

Story time on the train is fun.

Kudos to the FFV for publishing a note on their Facebook page that there were disruptions on the Pakenham and Cranbourne lines, with trains only going as far as Oakleigh station. As it turned out, the signalling issues were cleared up well before kickoff, but it was a nice a touch nevertheless.

Under 21s
As I arrived by train with certain other miscreants, I did not get to see almost anything of this match. Turns out we won 4-1. What changed from last week?

Next Game
Now, a week off courtesy of Easter. Then a Saturday afternoon game away at Green Gully. Could we possibly break our drought there? Nah.

http://southmelbournefc.blogspot.com.au/

(nice article Paul :)

Edited by chris: 31/3/2012 06:09:52 PM

As I went to the game I can say that the crowd being disappointing is a bit harsh. There is no active support at Oakleigh matches so what do you expect. Thank god South did some chanting otherwise it would of been very boring!

Nice Goal by Doyle btw.

What was your view on the refereeing?

Could of been better, should of clamped down on those dangerous challenges.

What days do SMFC train seniors and U21's.

Im not another clubs spy just want to get to know training shedules for VPl and VPL U21's clubs.

Thanks

Apart from the half decent finals crowd last year, Oakleigh vs South crowds at Jack Edwards have been going downhill for years. Which doesn't phase me too much, as Oakleigh pretty much always have this fixture pencilled in for the early part of the season when the weather is still good.

Split round in the VPL this week

SMFC TV Highlights of Round 2 - SMFC 3 vs Oakleigh 1

http://youtu.be/bn0XZHUH1l8

Enjoy x

Inside South - News Letter

http://southmelbournefc.createsend1.com/t/ViewEmail/j/0B5D9AF86946FCD0/A4DE08AD278033B92540EF23F30FEDED