recursal/Fanatic-Fandom huggingface dataset:
1941 South Melbourne United season

**1941** was South Melbourne United's 5th season of senior men's competition.

## Overview

**League:** Victorian Division 1

**Finishing Position:**  3rd of 8

**Dockerty Cup**: Semi-final

**President**:

**Patron:**

## Match results and season summary

### Summary

The war was taking its toll on Victorian soccer, but there were still enough teams to form two divisions. United's local rival South Melbourne however was unable to field a senior team due to lack of players; they would not reform.

Without in any way wanting to discredit Moreland's league win - after all, they scored the most goals and conceded the fewest, and also took out the Dockerty Cup - 1941 may have been the season that got away from South Melbourne United. United lost two of its first four matches in the league, but thereafter did not lose for the remaining ten matches.

Unfortunately that ten match unbeaten streak included four draws, which ultimately cost United the chance at the title - by the final round, all United could do was prevent Prahran from achieving an unlikely title win on the final day of the season.. This must have provided scant enjoyment to United, who were knocked out of the Dockerty Cup by Prahran in the semi-finals, which included a missed penalty in the first half when the game was still scoreless.

United were still seen as being noteworthy for fielding all Australian-born teams, but one opposition scribe also noted that they played a very rugged style of soccer.

### Senior division season and Dockerty Cup results

South Melbourne United's round 8 game against Prahran was rescheduled to the end of the season.

In addition, a tour by a visiting Chinese team saw the league take two weeks off during June.

## References

1. ↑ http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/States/VIC/1941Cup.html
2. ↑ http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article205152363
3. ↑ http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article8206070
4. ↑ http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article8196063
5. ↑ http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article181709705
6. ↑ http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article74745873
7. ↑ http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article180299338
Moorabbin City

**Moorabbin City** is a defunct Victorian soccer club.

Founded in 1949, Moorabbin spent most of its history in the middle tiers of Victorian soccer, Moorabbin reached the Victorian Premier League in 1998, after which they folded.

South Melbourne and Moorabbin played one match against each other, in the 1996 Dockerty Cup.

## References

1. ↑ http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/Clubs/VIC/Vic\_Inactive\_M.html#MoorabbinCity
Luke Hopper

**Luke Hopper** is an English centre-forward who played at South Melbourne during the second half of the 2013 season.

Hopper arrived midway through the season from Dandenong Thunder, along with several Thunder teammates and Thunder coach Chris Taylor.

Hopper was prolific during his brief time at South Melbourne, scoring six goals in eight home and away matches, though he failed to score in any of South's three finals games.

## Milestones

**Arrived from**: Dandenong Thunder

**Departed to**: ???

**Debut:** VPL Round 15, 2013, against Dandenong Thunder, Lakeside Stadium

**Last game**: VPL Preliminary Final, 2013, against Northcote City, SS Anderson Reserve

## References

1. ↑ https://www.smfc.com.au/munoz-and-hopper-sign-for-the-rest-of-2013/
Frankston Pines

**Frankston Pines** is a Victorian soccer club.

Founded in 1965 and playing out of Monterey Reserve in Frankston, Pines have had several stints in the top tier of Victorian soccer, most notably in the mid 1980s, and in the 2000s. In 1986 in a first past-the-post system, Pines finished as runner up to Croydon City in the State League, and in 2003 they lost the grand final to Green Gully.

During the mid-2000s South Melbourne played against Pines in the Victorian Premier League. Following a rapid series of relegations for Pines following 2008, the likelihood of South and Pines meeting again became remote - but the two sides did meet in 2015 in an FFA Cup game, for which the prize was qualification to the FFA Cup's national stage.

In mid-2006, South Melbourne controversially signed three West Australian players - Antonio Naglieri, Andreas Oliveira, and Dino Djulbic - who had been playing at Pines, creating a degree of enmity from Pines towards South. All three of those players were important in securing South the championship that season, while their absence no doubt contributed to Pines' relegation.

## References

1. ↑ http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/States/VIC/2006VCR.html
Esteban Quintas

**Esteban Quintas** is the current coach of South Melbourne's senior men's team..

An assistant coach in 2018 and 2019, Quintas was given the senior coaching job after the resignation of Con Tangalakis after the round 7 draw with Green Gully.

An Argentine, Quintas had previously been coach of Bendigo City in 2016; his tenure lasted just one game

## References

1. ↑ https://www.smfc.com.au/south-announces-tangalakis-as-senior-coach/
2. ↑ https://www.smfc.com.au/south-senior-coach-con-tangalakis-resignation/
3. ↑ http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/States/VIC/2016NPL2WR.html
4. ↑ https://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/story/3749147/bendigo-city-fc-coach-quits-after-one-game/
Gerrie Sylaidos

**Gerrie Sylaidos**is a midfielder and winger who played for South Melbourne from 2019 to 2021.

Sylaidos was signed from Northcote City for the 2019 season, - where he'd won the league's young player of the year award - having also previously played for Melbourne City's NPL team. Sylaidos played every game in 2019, barring two games during the middle of the season, when he was trialling with Central Coast Mariners. He re-signed for the club for 2020.

Despite appearing in most games in 2021, he increasingly became used as a substitute, having clearly fallen out of favour. He left South at the end of the season, returning to Northcote City for 2022.

## Milestones

**Arrived from**: Northcote City

**Departed to**: Northcote City

**Debut:** NPL Victoria Round 1, 2019, against Bentleigh Greens at Kingston Heath Soccer Complex

**Last game:** 2021 FFA Cup, Round of 32, against Melbourne City at Lakeside Stadium

## References

1. ↑ https://www.smfc.com.au/south-sign-gerrie-sylaidos-for-2019-npl-season/
2. ↑ http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/States/VIC/RisingStar.html
3. ↑ http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/States/VIC/2017NPL2ER.html
4. ↑ https://www.smfc.com.au/sylaidos-re-signs-for-2020-npl-season/
Lajos Hun

**Lajos Hun** is a goalkeeper who played one game for South Melbourne in 2013.

The youth team goalkeeper, Oliveira made his one and only appearance for South as a substitute in South's 4-1 home loss to Bentleigh Greens, after Peter Gavalas was sent off early in the match.

Oliveira later played for Oakleigh Cannons and Springvale White Eagles.

## Milestones

**Arrived from**: South Melbourne youth

**Departed to**: ???

**Debut:** VPL Round 14, 2013, against Bentleigh Greens, Lakeside Stadium

**Last game**: VPL Round 14, 2013, against Bentleigh Greens, Lakeside Stadium

## References

1. ↑ In South's internal records, he is referred to as *Lajos Oliveira,*for reasons which are unclear.
2. ↑ https://www.smfc.com.au/south-sees-red-as-greens-take-the-points/
3. ↑ http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/States/VIC/2015NPLR.html
4. ↑ http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/States/VIC/2016NPL2ER.html
Manyluak Aguek

## Manylauk Aguek

**Manylauk "Manny" Aguek** is a forward who is currently with South Melbourne.

Crossing over from Sunshine George Cross midway through the 2018 season, Aguek predominantly played in the under 20s, while making four appearances for the seniors off the bench in the second half of the season. In 2019, ill-discipline and erratic form in the under 20s saw Aguek unable to add to his senoor games tally.

In 2020, Aguek joined Kingston City.

## Milestones

**Arrived from**: Sunshine George Cross

**Departed to**: Kingston City

**Debut:** NPL Victoria Round 19, 2018, against Melbourne Knights at Lakeside Stadium.

**Last game**: NPL Victoria Round 24, 2018, against Kingston City, at Lakeside Stadium
Joe Marston Medal

The Joe Marston Medal was an award given to the man of the match in the National Soccer League grand final, each year from the 1989/90 season onwards. Upon the NSL's demise, the award was given to the man of the match in the A-League grand final.

The medal is named after Joe Marston, who played for the Australian national team in the 1950s, and was a member of the Preston North End side that played in the 1954 FA Cup Final.

Two South Melbourne players have won this award.
Evan Karavitis

**Evan Karavitis** is amidfielder who played for South Melbourne in 2005 and early 2006.

Karavitis played 16 matches in 2005, but opportunities dried up the following season, and he left for Richmond midway through the season.

## Milestones

**Arrived from**: ???

**Departed to**: Richmond

**Debut:** VPL Round 1, 2005, against Heidelberg United, Lakeside Stadium

**Last game**: VPL Round 4, 2006, against Preston Lions, Lakeside Stadium

## Stats

 2005 | 16
 2006 | 4
Jasper Valentijn

**Jasper Valentijn** is a Dutch defender who was on South Melbourne's senior playing roster in the early part of the 2007 season.

Allegedly coming in off the street for a trial, Valentijn played for South during the pre-season, including as part of the Hellenic Cup winning team of that year.

However, although seemingly listed on team-sheets from the time, Valentijn made no appearances for the club, and is officially classed as having departed the club following the round 6 forfeit to Melbourne Knights.

A product of the Heerenveen youth system, Valentijn came from an athletic family, being the son of two champion speed-skaters, and the brother to a gymnast. After leaving South, Valentijn played for clubs in the lower divisions of Finnish and Dutch football.

## References

1. ↑ https://www.smfc.com.au/south-blend-experience-and-youth-to-build-formidable-squad/
2. ↑ https://southmelbournefc.blogspot.com/2010/02/happy-valentijns-day.html
John Cain Memorial Park

**John Cain Memorial Park** (also known as *John Cain Memorial Reserve)*in Thornbury is the current home ground of Northcote City.

Located next to the synthetic soccer pitches of the Darebin International Soccer Complex. the venue consists of a compact grandstand on the northern side of the ground with a social club space underneath, and grass hills around most of the rest of the venue.

Apart from games against Northcote City, South Melbourne also played home games at John Cain Memorial Park during the 2010 and 2011 seasons, while the re-configuration of Lakeside Stadium was taking place.

South Melbourne has also played early round Dockerty Cup and FFA Cup matches at the venue when designated as the home side and when Lakeside has been unavailable - these games were sometimes part of double-headers with an equivalent Northcote game.

The venue has also hosted Hellenic Cup matches.

To date, the only team to have beaten South Melbourne at the venue is Northcote City itself.
Bulleen Lions

**Bulleen Lions** are a Victorian soccer club, based out of the Veneto Club in Bulleen.

The Lions were a leading club in Victorian state soccer in the early 1990s, before their senior men's wing was subsumed in the Italian club mergers and splits of the 1990s and 2000s. The club re-emerged in the 2010s as a standalone entity in both men's and women's soccer.

Both South Melbourne's senior men's and senior women's teams have played competitive matches against the Lions.

## South Melbourne Hellas

### Record by venue

 Olympic Park | 1
 Veneto Club | 3
Manchester United

**Manchester United** is an English football club.

One of the world's most popular and successful football clubs, Manchester United has played South Melbourne on one occasion, during the inaugural Club World Championships held in Brazil in 2000.

## References

1. ↑ https://www.fifa.com/clubworldcup/matches/round=3693/match=22232/report.html
Henry Hore

**Henry Hore** is a forward who played with South Melbourne in 2021.

A Queenslander, Hore had played for Lions FC in 2021. Previously, Hore was part of Perth Glory's youth program. Hore played in almost every match in the curtailed 2021 season, but joined his former coach Warren Moon at Brisbane Roar before South's FFA Cup match against Melbourne City.

## Milestones

**Arrived from**: Lions FC (Queensland)

**Departed to:** Brisbane Roar

**Debut:** NPL Victoria Round 1, 2021, against Heidelberg United at Jack Edwards Reserve

**Last game:** 2021 Dockerty Cup, Semi Final, against Hume City at Kingston Heath Soccer Complex

## References

1. ↑ https://www.smfc.com.au/south-add-firepower-with-queenslander-henry-hore-signing-for-2021/
2. ↑ https://www.myfootball.com.au/news/henry-hore-makes-brisbane-roar-move
Kristian Konstantinidis

**Kristian Konstantinidis**is a defender who spent five seasons at South Melbourne during the National Premier Leagues Victoria era.

Alternately a central defender or right-sided full-back, Konstantinidis joined South Melbourne in 2015 from Northcote City, where he had been a member of their 2013 championship winning team and their 2011 Mirabella Cup winning team.

Konstantinidis' first two seasons at South Melbourne were heavily disrupted by injury, especially his first year, which was destroyed by an ACL injury Konstantinidis suffered in the early part of the season.

Konstantinidis' third season at South Melbourne was derailed by a serious onfield misdemeanour - which initially resulted in a six-month ban, later reduced to 16 games on appeal. In 2018 he managed to play in every league and cup game, the only South player to do so that season. After an inconsistent 2019 season, Konstantinidis was released by the club, after whch rejoined Northcote.

## Milestones

**Arrived from:** Northcote City

**Departed to:**Northcote City

**Debut:** 2015 FFV Community Shield against Melbourne Knights, at Knights Stadium

**Last game:** NPL Victoria Round 26, 2019, against Heidelberg United at Lakeside Stadium

## Honours

* NPL Victoria Champion 2016
* Community Shield 2015

## References

1. ↑ https://www.smfc.com.au/south-melbourne-sign-konstantinidis-to-bolster-defence/
2. ↑ https://www.smfc.com.au/south-continue-winning-start-despite-a-number-of-injuries/
3. ↑ https://www.insidesport.com.au/news/victorian-soccer-player-cops-six-month-ban-455829
4. ↑ https://www.cornerflag.com.au/konstantinidis-ban-reduced-following-appeal/
5. ↑ https://www.smfc.com.au/kk-departs-ahead-of-2020-season/
6. ↑ https://twitter.com/NorthcoteCity/status/1197758050838253569
Joe Keenan

**Joseph John "Joe" Keenan** is a retired midfielder who played with South Melbourne from 2010-2013.

A Chelsea youth team player, Keenan made two appearances for the Blues' senior team, before playing for a number of clubs in Britain and on the Continent.

In 2007, Keenan arrived in Australia to play with Melbourne Victory, before returning to the UK to play for Hibernian in Scotland.

An attacking midfielder mostly playing in the wide positions, Keenan joined South Melbourne for the 2010 season, and went on to become a regular during 2010.

An injury-replacement loan spell at Adelaide United in the A-League's 2010-11 season ended when Keenan broke his leg. - an injury which saw him miss the entire 2011 Victorian Premier League season.

Keenan's first and last games for South both coincided with controversial moments in South's post-NSL history. His 2010 debut was in the final game at Bob Jane Stadium before it was redeveloped for the addition of the running track - a game in which South supporters invaded the field, setting off a chain reaction of tribunals, court cases, and on and off-field ramifications.

His final game, in mid-2013 against Northcote City, was just before Keenan and several other players were released or dumped by the club, which led to the eventual resignation of coach Peter Tsolakis, and in turn the signing of Chris Taylor as coach and the arrival of Taylor's Dandenong Thunder cohort at Lakeside.

## Milestones

**Arrived from**: Hibernian (Scotland)

**Departed to**: retired

**Debut:** VPL Round 10, 2010 against Heidelberg United, at Lakeside Stadium

**Last game**: VPL Round 10, 2013 against Northcote City, John Cain Memorial Reserve

## References

1. ↑ https://www.smfc.com.au/south-enhances-attacking-stocks-with-signing-of-joseph-keenan/
2. ↑ https://www.adelaideunited.com.au/news/keenans-untimely-break
3. ↑ https://www.smfc.com.au/media-release-five-players-released/
Kobbie Boahene

**Kobbie Boahene** is a midfielder who played for South Melbourne Hellas in 2014.

A winger, Boahene arrived from Melbourne Victor'sy National Youth League team. Boahene made his debut away to Sunshine George Cross in the Dockerty Cup.

All but one of Boahene's 13 appearances for South Melbourne were as a substitute.

After leaving South, Boahene played for a wide variety of clubs in Victoria.

## Milestones

**Arrived from**: Melbourne Victory (NYL)

**Departed to**: Bentleigh Greens

**Debut:** 2014 Dockerty Cup, Round 4, against Sunshine George Cross, Chaplin Reserve

**Last game**: NPL Victoria Round 16, 2014, against Green Gully at Lakeside Stadium

## Honours

* National Premier Leagues Victoria (2014)
Glen Trifiro

**Glen Trifiro** is a central midfielder who played for South Melbourne during the 2012 season.

The younger brother of Jason Trifiro, Glen was part of the Northcote City group that arrived with coach Peter Tsolakis, which also included Glen's brother Jason. as well as Trent Rixon.

Glen Trifiro returned to his home state of New South Wales to play with Sydney United; later he joined the Central Coast Mariners in the A-League.

## Milestones

**Arrived from**: Northcote City

**Departed to**: Sydney United

**Debut:** VPL Round 1, 2012, against Moreland Zebras, Lakeside Stadium

**Last game**: VPL Round 21, 2012, against Bentleigh Greens, Lakeside Stadium

## References

1. ↑ http://www.smfc.com.au/2013-smfc-senior-squad-announced/
2. ↑ http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/States/VIC/2012PLR.html
3. ↑ http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/States/VIC/2012PLR.html
Matthew Millar

**Matthew Millar**is a midfielder and full-back who played three seasons with South Melbourne in NPL Victoria.

Millar was signed on the transfer deadline day before the start of the 2016 season. Millar had previously notched 32 games for Dandenong Thunder as a 16 year old, and then played for Melbourne City's youth teams, before making the step up to their senior team as a right sided full-back.

On his return to the state competition, Millar spent most of his South stint as a gut-running midfielder, whose superior endurance suited the grinding Chris Taylor coached sides.

Midway through 2018, Millar went on an extended trial at Central Coast Mariners, ultimately securing himself a full-time contract. Later he played with Newcastle Jets, and Shrewsbury Town.

He was given the nickname "Apples" by a section of South's fanbase, based upon the surname "Millar" being roughly a homophone of the Greek word for "apples", μήλα.

## Milestones

**Arrived from:** Melbourne City (A-League)

**Departed to**: Central Coast Mariners (A-League)

**Debut:** NPL Victoria Round 1, 2016, against Heidelberg United, at Lakeside Stadium

**Last game**: NPL Victoria Round 15, 2018, against Dandenong Thunder, at Lakeside Stadium

## References

1. ↑ https://www.smfc.com.au/deadlineday16/
2. ↑ https://www.ccmariners.com.au/news/matthew-millar-made-a-mariner
Henry Scott Oval

The **Henry Scott Oval** - which also goes by the name *Field 13 -* is the name given to two adjacent playing fields in the Albert Park precinct, located off Aughtie Drive, behind the pit buildings.

The main field is a cricket oval; slightly north of that oval is a soccer field, which has been used in the past by South Melbourne's women's teams.

In previous decades the fields in the Albert Park precinct had a different numbering allocation. During the 1960s, the fields where the Henry Scott Oval presently sits appeared to have no formal numerical allocation.

## References

1. ↑ https://melwayed1.melway.com.au/057.jpg
Jesse Daley

**Jesse Daley**  is a midfielder who played for South Melbourne in 2017.

A Brisbane Roar NPL and Melbourne Victory NPL player, Daley joined South before the start of the 2017 season, splitting his 29 appearances between starts and bench appearances.

At the end of the 2017 season Daley left the club, returning briefly to play in Queensland before securing a spot with Seattle Sounders FC 2, who later became known as Tecoma Defiance.

## Milestones

**Arrived from:**Brisbane Roar (NPL)

**Departed to:** Lions FC

**Debut:** NPL Victoria Round 3, 2017, against Avondale at Knights Stadium

**Last game**: 2017 FFA Cup, Semi Final, against Sydney FC, Lakeside Stadium

## References

1. ↑ https://www.smfc.com.au/brisbane-youth-captain-daley-joins-club/
2. ↑ http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/States/VIC/2015NPL1ER.html
Jeff Olver

**Jeffrey 'Jeff' Olver** was assistant coach to Eddie Krncevic in the 2001-2002 season.

Olver was a decorated player in his own right, playing over 300 matches in the National Soccer League with Heidelberg United and Melbourne Croatia, as well as winning 37 Socceroos caps. Olver also played for the Futsalroos, during their first appearance at a World Championships.

Less well known is the fact that Olver was part of the South Melbourne Hellas team which played a series of matches in Greece following the club's 1990-1991 championship win; Olver travelled with the side in lieu of the unavailable Bruce MacLaren.

## References

1. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20020527073857/http://www.southmelbournesc.com.au/PlayerProfiles/profile\_Olver.htm
2. ↑ http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/Futsalroos/1989.html
Futsalroos

The **Futsalroos** are the national men's futsal team representing Australia. Several South Melbourne Hellas players have earned Futsalroo caps, with the most notable in terms of the longevity of his Futsalroo career being Fernando De Moraes. Most of the players listed below were part of the 1989 FIFA Futsal World Championship squad.

While with South Melbourne

* Fernando De Moraes
* Paul Trimboli

 While with other clubs

* Robbie Cattanach
* Oscar Crino
* Alan Davidson
* Ken Murphy
* Jason Polak
* Warren Spink
Javier Diaz Lopez

**Javier Diaz Lopez** is a Spanish goalkeeper currently with South Melbourne.

Diaz Lopez had played with Bentleigh Greens during the 2021 season, and joined South on special dispensation for its 2021 FFA Cup, Round of 32 match against Melbourne City, after the sudden departure of Pierce Clark.

In 2022 Diaz Lopez kept 13 cleansheets, winning both the league's goalkeeper of the year award, as well as the Theo Marmaras Medal for South's best and fairest. Another ten cleansheets in 2023 saw Lopez win the league's goalkeeper of the year award for a second consecutive season.

## Milestones

**Arrived from**: Bentleigh Greens

**Debut:** 2021 FFA Cup, Round of 32, against Melbourne City at Lakeside Stadium

## Honours

* Theo Marmaras Medal - 2022
* NPL Victoria goalkeeper of the year - 2022, 2023

## References

1. ↑ https://www.smfc.com.au/south-signs-javier-diaz-lopez-for-2022-season/
2. ↑ https://twitter.com/footballvic/status/1566736555984957445
3. ↑ https://twitter.com/smfc/status/1570233499524956160
4. ↑ https://www.footballvictoria.com.au/news/victorias-best-celebrated-2023-npl-victoria-senol-gold-medal-night
Mladen Tosic

**Mladen Tosic** is a goalkeeper who played eight matches for South Melbourne in 2007.

As the under 21s keeper at the time, Tosic had been listed as an unused sub for matches in 2005 and 2006, but he made his debut for South in the 2007 round four match against Green Gully, coming on as a substitute after Dean Anastasiadis suffered what turned out to be a season ending knee injury.

Tosic struggled in his brief senior stint, and was eventually loaned out to Westgate Sindjelic. South signed Melbourne Victory youth team goalkeeper Mitchell Langerak for the remainder of the season, and Tosic never played for South Melbourne again.

## Milestones

**Arrived from**:

**Departed to**: Westgate Sindjelic

**Debut:** VPL Round 4, 2007, against Green Gully, Lakeside Stadium

**Last game**: VPL Round 12, 2007, against Preston Lions, Lakeside Stadium

## Stats

 2005 | 0
 2006 | 0
 2007 | 8

## References

1. ↑ http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/States/VIC/2007PLR.html
2. ↑ http://southmelbournefc.blogspot.com.au/2008/04/south-of-border-your-no-1-choice-for.html
Joshua Addo

**Joshua Addo** is a midfielder who played with South Melbourne in 2022.

A former South Melbourne youth team player, Addo made three appearances as a substitute during the 2022 season.

## Milestones

**Arrived from**: South Melbourne under 20s.

**Departed to:** ???

**Debut:** 2022 FFA Cup, Round 4, against Avondale at Broadmeadows Valley Park.

**Last game:** NPL Victoria Round 17, 2022, against St Albans Saints at Lakeside Stadium
Kingston City

**Kingston City** is a Victorian soccer club.

Founded in 1974 as *Clarinda* - under which name they first played against South Melbourne in 1994 - the club adopted the name *Kingston City* in 1996.

## Season by season record

### 2000s

 2006 | Victorian Premier League
 2007 | Victorian Premier League
 2007 | Victorian Premier League

## Record by venue

 Lakeside Stadium | 6
 Middle Park Stadium | 1
 The Grange Reserve | 4

## References

1. ↑ http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/Clubs/VIC/Vic\_Active\_K.html#KingstonCity
Fraser MacLaren

**Fraser MacLaren**is a goalkeeper who played with South Melbourne in the second half of the 2015 season.

## Bio

MacLaren, the son of 1990-1991 championship winning goalkeeper Bruce MacLaren - and cousin to Alastair Bray - was signed midway through the 2015 season as a backup.

MacLaren made his debut late in the FFA Cup tie against Melbourne Knights, and made sporadic appearances later for the either suspended or injured Nikola Roganovic, including in the 2015 NPL Victoria grand final.

At the end of the season, MacLaren left the club in search of regular football, joining Dandenong Thunder.

## Milestones

**Arrived from**: Kingston City

**Departed to**: Dandenong Thunder

**Debut:** 2015 FFA Cup, Round 6 against Melbourne Knights, Lakeside Stadium

**Last game**: 2015 NPL National Playoffs, Round 1, against Olympia Warriors, Lakeside Stadium

## References

1. ↑ https://www.cornerflag.com.au/off-the-pitch-fraser-maclaren-alastair-brays-le-gloves/
2. ↑ https://www.smfc.com.au/south-sign-young-goalkeeper-fraser-maclaren/
3. ↑ https://www.smfc.com.au/zaim-zeneli-re-joins-south-for-2016-season/
Harrison Sawyer

**Harrison Hickey "Harry" Sawyer**is a forward currently in his second stint with South Melbourne.

A Queenslander, Sawyer had played for a variety of clubs in his home state, as well as for Newcastle Jets in the A-League. Most recently prior to joining South, Sawyer had played in the Philippines and in Hong Kong.

Following the cancellation of the 2020 Victorian season, Sawyer went on loan to Queensland side Gold Coast Knights. Returning to Lakeside in 2021, Sawyer scored four league goals by round 10, only to then have his season interrupted by a syndesmosis injury. He returned late in the heavily interrupted season, playing in South's last three matches of 2021.

In 2022 Sawyer fulfilled his potential, becoming one of the league's most dominant forwards, winning the league's goal scoring title despite missing the last two games of the regular season. In 2022 Sawyer scored four goals in a league game twice, the first South Melbourne men's player to achieve that feat.

Sawyer's first stint at South came to an abrupt end: two games before the finals, he was signed by Jamshedpur in India, and the transfer conditions saw him miss South's final four games of the year, including the grand final.

After spending time in Finland with Vaasan Palloseura, Sawyer was signed to South for the 2024 season.

## Milestones

**Arrived from**: Tai Po (Hong Kong) (first stint), Vaasan Palloseura (Finland)

**Departed to:** Jamshedpur (India) (first stint)

**Debut:** NPL Victoria Round 1, 2020, against Heidelberg United at Lakeside Stadium

**Final game:** NPL Victoria Round 24, 2022, against Port Melbourne at SS Anderson Reserve.

## Hattricks

* NPL Victoria Round 2, 2020, vs Eastern Lions
* NPL Victoria Round 7, 2022, vs Eastern Lions (four goals)
* NPL Victoria Round 20, 2022, vs Eastern Lions (four goals)

## Honours

* Club leading goalscorer 2020, 2022
* NPL Victoria leading scorer 2022

## References

1. ↑ https://twitter.com/smfc/status/1289000562361417728
2. ↑ Taking into account that details for the 1960 season are incomplete.
3. ↑ https://www.smfc.com.au/harrison-sawyer-departs-smfc-for-india/
4. ↑ https://www.smfc.com.au/2023/11/16/harrison-sawyer-returns-home-to-lakeside/
Kosta Salapasidis

**Kosta Salapasidis** is a retired forward and midfielder who played with South Melbourne in 2005.

The son of 1960s South Melbourne Hellas player Savvas Salapasidis, Kosta mainly played in midfield.

Prior to joining South, Kosta had played for Adelaide City, Wollongong Wolves, and Parramatta Power in the National Soccer League.

Salapasidis will be best remembered among general Australian soccer fans for scoring four goals against Argentina, while playing for the Young Socceroos at the 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship

## Milestones

**Signed from**: Parramatta Power

**Departed to**: retired

**Debut:** VPL Round 1, 2005, against Heidelberg United, Lakeside Stadium

**Last game**: VPL Preliminary Final, 2005, against Heidelberg United, Olympic Village

## References

1. ↑ http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/Players/SAA.html
Grange Reserve, Hoppers Crossing

*This article is about the ground in Hoppers Crossing. For the venue in Clayton, the home ground of Kingston City, see The Grange Reserve.*

**Grange Reserve** is a soccer venue in Hoppers Crossing. It is the home ground of Hoppers Crossing. South Melbourne has played one match at the venue, an away FFA Cup tie against Werribee City, when City's home ground Galvin Park was unavailable.

## References

[[Category:Grange Reserve, Hoppers Crossing]
Luke Eyles

**Luke Eyles**is a Tasmanian full-back and winger who played one match for South Melbourne in 2016.

Eyles was signed from Hobart's Olympia Warriors in mid-2015 until the end of 2017,  but South allowed Eyles to finish his season at Olympia and his final year of high school. Eyles ended up playing against South Melbourne for Olympia in the NPL National Playoffs in 2015.

Finally officially on the South playing roster in 2016, Eyles predominantly played in the under 20s, and made one appearance for the seniors in the 10-0 demolition of Keysborough in the FFA Cup, before being loaned to Kingston City in NPL2.

At the end of 2016, Eyles joined Dandenong City.

## Milestones

**Arrived from:**Olympia Warriors

**Departed to**: Kingston City

**Debut:**  2016 FFA Cup, Round 4, against Keysborough, at John Cain Memorial Park

**Last game**: 2016 FFA Cup, Round 4, against Keysborough, at John Cain Memorial Park

## References

1. ↑ https://www.smfc.com.au/south-sign-tasmanian-luke-eyles-until-the-end-of-2017/
2. ↑ https://www.smfc.com.au/olympia-ends-souths-season
3. ↑ https://www.smfc.com.au/luke-eyles-loaned-kingston-city/
4. ↑ http://www.cornerflag.com.au/eyles-joins-city-hajduk-hero-matkovic-retires/
Mackie Simmons

**Mackie Simmons** is a defender who played one game for South Melbourne in the 2011 season.

A South Melbourne youth team player, Mackie made his sole appearance for the club as a substitute in the Mirabella Cup against Yarraville Glory.

Simmons was also a member of the extended squad for the 2010 quarter-finals of the Singapore Cup against Bangkok Glass.

Simmons would later go on to play for Bentleigh Greens, Springvale White Eagles, Box Hill United, and East Brighton United.

## Milestones

**Arrived from**: South Melbourne youth

**Departed to**: Bentleigh Greens

**Debut:** 2011 Mirabella Cup, Round 4, against Yarraville Glory, John Cain Memorial Park

**Last game**: 2011 Mirabella Cup, Round 4, against Yarraville Glory, John Cain Memorial Park

## References

1. ↑ https://www.smfc.com.au/south-cruise-to-fifth-round-of-cup/
2. ↑ https://www.smfc.com.au/south-announce-2010-rhb-singapore-cup-squad/
3. ↑ http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/vicfootball/SC.html
4. ↑ http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/States/VIC/2012SD1R.html
5. ↑ http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/States/VIC/2013SD1R.html
6. ↑ http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/States/VIC/2015SD3SER.html
1955 Hellenic season

**1955** was Hellenic's third season of senior football.

**League:** Victorian Division 3

**Finishing Position:** 2nd of 10 (promoted to Division 2)

**Dockerty Cup:** Round 2 (lost to JUST)

**President**:

## References

1. ↑ http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/States/VIC/1955D3T.html
2. ↑ http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/States/VIC/1955DockertyCup.html
Fausto De Amicis

**Fausto De Amicis** is a coach and retired defender who played with South Melbourne in the National Soccer League in the 1990s and early 2000s.

A left-sided full back, De Amicis had played in the NSL as far back as 1986, where he debuted in a prleiminary final for Brunswick Juventus. Alternating between Juventus and Sunshine George Cross in the early 1990s, it was De Amicis' time at Melbourne Knights that helped make his name, being a member of Knights' back-to-back NSL titles.

De Amicis played in the Dockerty Cup and NSL Cup for Knights prior to the start of the 1996-1997 season, before signing with South in time for the start of the league season, after apparently walking out dissatisfied with his former club. De Amicis played in both the 1998 and 1999 grand final wins, being adjudged best afield in the former,

He became a mainstay of the starting lineup at Lakeside in his first six seasons at the club. In 2002-2003, however, injuries saw him make limited appearances, and then a falling out with Danny Wright saw him released from the club in February 2003. De Amicis' axing reputedly angered other members of the senior team, but his differences with Wright were resolved, and De Amicis was soon back in the squad. Neither the coach nor the player were long for South though; Wright was gone as coach before the end of the season, and the 35 year old De Amicis was released during the off-season.

De Amicis earned 13 Socceroos caps between 1998 and 2002, all earned while playing at South Melbourne.

## Milestones

**Arrived from**: Melbourne Knights

**Departed to:** Fawkner Blues

**Debut:** NSL Round 1, 1996-1997, against Gippsland Falcons at Falcons Park

**Last game**: NSL Round 26, 2002-2003, against Football Kingz at Mount Smart Stadium

## Honours

* NSL championship - 1998, 1999
* Oceania championship - 1999
* Joe Marston Medal - 1998

## References

1. ↑ http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/NSL/1986/1986NSLResults.html
2. ↑ http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/States/VIC/1996Cup.html
3. ↑ http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/NSL/9697/NSLCup.html
4. ↑ Tuffnell, D. 1996, 'Lakers nearly all full timers', *Australian and British Soccer Weekly,* October 22, p.8
5. ↑ Davis, B, 2003, 'Victorian Chronicles', *Australian and British Soccer Weekly,* February 18*,* p.11
6. ↑ 2003, 'Angry South players hold meeting over De Amicis axe', *Australian and British Soccer Weekly,* February 18*,* p.12
7. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20060822052045/http://smfc.com.au/shownews.aspx?id=111
Lirim Elmazi

**Lirim Elmazi** is a defender and defensive midfielder who played with South Melbourne in NPL Victoria.

Elmazi joined South from Altona Magic, where he was part of the squad which had made rapid progress from the state leagues to the Victorian top-flight.  In 2021, despite injury interrupting his season, Elmazi was one of South's most consistent performers. Elmazi was released, along with a slew of other players, at the end of the 2023 season.

## Milestones

**Arrived from**: Altona Magic

**Departed to:** ???

**Debut:** NPL Victoria Round 1, 2020 , against Heidelberg United at Lakeside Stadium

**Last game**: NPL Victoria Round 26, 2023, against North Geelong at Elcho Park

## References

1. ↑ https://www.smfc.com.au/south-sign-central-defender-elmazi/
2. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/smfc59/posts/pfbid022jeFSfmqEDmAuni1aEwP2JKe8nVm7pGGXbGSKUPy6kYStMUpV8U8wQcr7PR9VQ3dl
Iqi Jawadi

## Iqbal Jawadi

**Iqbal "Iqi" Jawadi** is a midfielder who played with South Melbourne in two stints, from 2013-2016, and in 2018.

## Bio

Jawadi was one of the Dandenong Thunder players who joined the club in mid-2013 upon the arrival of Chris Taylor as coach. Jawadi had had a long-standing relationship with Taylor from their shared time in Victorian state youth teams.

Jawadi had an outstanding year during South's championship season of 2014, winning the Theo Marmaras Medal for the club's best player. At the end of the season, Jawadi extended his contract with South until the end of 2016.

Jawadi added goalscoring to his repertoire in 2015, and he was also invited to train with the Afghan national team but his season will likely be most remembered for his red card in the 2015 NPL Victoria grand final, which also saw him miss the NPL National Playoffs

Injuries and a falling out with Taylor derailed Jawadi's 2016 season - he did not play in any of South's three finals matches - and he was released from the club at the end of the season, whereupon he joined Oakleigh Cannons for the 2017 season, a stint which lasted just half a year before he dropped down to Dandenong Thunder in NPL 2.

Jawadi was signed by South for a second time on the eve of the 2018 season. While he started in most games during the first half of the year, injuries and coaching changes led to Jawadi being relegated to a bench position, and his eventual exit from the club for a second time..

## Milestones

**Arrived from**: Dandenong Thunder (first stint), Dandenong Thunder (second stint)

**Departed to**: Oakleigh Cannons (first stint), Dandenong City (second stint)

**Debut:** VPL Round 13, 2013, against Southern Stars at Lakeside Stadium

**Last game**: NPL Victoria Round 24, 2018, against Kingston City at Lakeside Stadium

## Honours

* NPL Victoria Champions 2014, 2016
* NPL Victoria Premiers (2015)
* 2015 Dockerty Cup
* 2015 FFV Community Shield
* Theo Marmaras Medal 2014

## References

1. ↑ https://www.smfc.com.au/from-kabul-to-melbourne-souths-very-own-afghan-connection/
2. ↑ https://www.smfc.com.au/jawadi-wins-theo-marmaras-medal-as-south-celebrate-2014-season-in-style/
3. ↑ https://www.smfc.com.au/jawadi-extends-contract-until-end-of-2016-npl-season/
4. ↑ https://www.ftbl.com.au/news/afghanistan-eyes-aussie-players-475429
5. ↑ https://www.cornerflag.com.au/jawadi-to-bolster-oakleigh-midfield-as-club-makes-first-signing/
6. ↑ http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/States/VIC/2017NPL2ER.html
7. ↑ https://www.smfc.com.au/jawadi-returns-season-2018/
8. ↑ There are some discrepancies with published online materials, but the statistical records suggest the totals here are correct.
James Musa

**James Mzamo Musa** is a defender who played for South Melbourne Hellas in 2014.

Musa usually played in central defence, but was sometimes used in the left back position. Making his debut away to Sunshine George Cross, Musa became a mainstay of the side that would go on to win South's first league title since 2006.

Though Musa had reportedly signed a two year contract with South following the end of the 2014 season, he left the club of the 2015 season. He soon signed for St Louis FC, an expansion side in the third tier USL competition in the United States.

While at South Melbourne, Musa made his debut for the All Whites in a 0-0 home draw against South Africa.

## Milestones

**Arrived from**: Team Wellington (New Zealand)

**Departed to**: St Louis FC (USA)

**Debut:** 2014 Dockerty Cup, Round 4, against Sunshine George Cross, Chaplin Reserve

**Last game**: NPL National Playoffs Semi-Final, 2014, against North Eastern MetroStars, Lakeside Stadium

## Honours

* National Premier Leagues Victoria (2014)

## References

1. ↑ http://www.smfc.com.au/kiwi-international-james-musa-re-signs-for-2-more-seasons/
2. ↑ http://saintlouisfc.com/musabibbs
3. ↑ http://www.3news.co.nz/sport/highlights-new-zealand-draw-00-with-south-africa-2014053021#axzz3m5krkVpe
Jonas Salley

**Gwaye Jonas Salley** is a retired Ivorian-Australian defender who played with South Melbourne Hellas during the first half of the 2006 season.

Signing with the New Zealand Knights of the A-League, Salley went on to play for several A-League and Chinese teams.

Salley's one goal for South came in his debut match against Heidelberg.

## Milestones

**Arrived from**: Mill Park

**Departed to**: New Zealand Knights

**Debut:** VPL Round 1, 2006, against Heidelberg United, Olympic Village

**Last game**: VPL Round 10, 2006, against Oakleigh Cannons, Jack Edwards Reserve

## References

1. ↑ ↑ http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/States/VIC/2006PLR.html
2. ↑ http://www.espnfc.com/story/523917/hard-mans-divine-inspiration
Jimmy Rooney Medal

The **Jimmy Rooney Medal** was the prize initially awarded to the man of the match in the Victorian Premier League grand final. After the VPL was replaced by the National Premier Leagues Victoria, the prize continued to be awarded to the best player in the NPL Victoria grand final.

Two South Melbourne Hellas players have won this award.

## References

1. ↑ http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/States/VIC/JRMed.html
Joshua Hodes

## Josh Hodes

**Joshua "Josh" Hodes** was a full-back who played with South Melbourne.

A South Melbourne youth player, Hodes made his senior debut in the 2016, coming on as a substitute for Tim Mala in the final game of the home and away season.

Despite being seen as a player of some promise, Hodes made just two senior league appearances in early 2018, before being relegated back to the under 20s. Hodes left the club at the end of the season.

## Milestones

**Arrived from**: South Melbourne under 20s.

**Departed to:** Oakleigh Cannons

**Debut:** NPL Victoria Round 26, 2016, against Green Gully at Lakeside Stadium

**Last game:** NPL Victoria Round 5, 2018, against Northcote City, at John Cain Memorial Park.

## References

1. ↑ https://www.smfc.com.au/south-sign-four-youngsters/
Michael Petkovic

**Michael Petkovic** is a retired goalkeeper who played with South Melbourne in two different stints in the National Soccer League.

Petkovic won the first choice keeper's role from Dean Anastasiadis during South's successful NSL Cup run during the 1995-1996 season. Thereafter, Petkovic held that position until his final departure from the club at the end of the 2001-2002 season, with the exception of the 1999-2000 season, which he spent at RC Strasbourg.

After leaving South Melbourne, Petkovic spent eight seasons in Turkey, first with Trabzonspor, and later with Sivasspor, before returning to Australia to finish his career at Melbourne Victory.

In addition to his NSL Cup win, Petkovic was a key member of the back-to-back NSL title winning sides in 1997-1998 and 1998-1999. He was voted the NSL's goalkeeper of the year in 1999, 2001, and 2002, and was South Melbourne's best and fairest winner in 1999. In 2002, Petkovic was chosen as the starting goalkeeper in South Melbourne's Team of the Century.

During his career Petkovic collected six Socceroos caps, the first three of which came while he was still a South Melbourne player. This run included playing in the Socceroos' record 31-0 win over American Samoa.

## Milestones

**Arrived from**: ???  (first stint), RC Strasbourg (France) (second stint)

**Departed to**: RC Strasbourg (first stint), Trabzonspor (Turkey) (second stint)

**Debut:** 1995-1996 NSL Cup, Round of 16, First Leg, against Melbourne Knights, Knights Stadium

**Last game**: NSL Elimination Semi Final, 2001-2002, against Sydney Olympic, Marconi Stadium

## Honours

* National Soccer League championship: 1998, 1999
* NSL Cup: 1996
* NSL Goalkeeper of the Year: 1999, 2001, 2002
* Theo Marmaras Medal: 1999
* South Melbourne Team of the Century

## Stats

Asterisk (\*) indicates that stats are incomplete.

1. ↑ https://www.smfc.com.au/hallofchampions/
2. ↑ http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/Socceroo/2001A.html
Knights Stadium

**Knights Stadium** in North Sunshine is the current home ground of Melbourne Knights.

Originally known as the *Croatian Sports Centre*, and colloquially known as *Somers Street,* the stadium has a capacity of approximately 15,000 patrons. It consists of a seated main stand (the *Mark Viduka Stand*) which has a capacity of 4,000, and open terracing around the rest of the stadium.

Apart from games against Melbourne Knights, South Melbourne has also played at Knights Stadium in its guise as a neutral finals venue, and when it has been the temporary home ground of other tenants of the venue.

## Season by Season record

### 2020s

 46
 47

## References

1. ↑ South Melbourne won 4-2 on penalties after normal and extra time.
Henri Scott

**Henri Scott** is a forward who signed with South Melbourne in late 2021 for the 2022 season, but who was released during pre-season without playing an official match. Scott had been signed from Victorian State League 1 side Warragul United

## Milestones

**Arrived from**: Warragul United

**Departed to**: ???

**Debut:** None

## References

1. ↑ https://www.smfc.com.au/south-add-henri-scott-to-2022-senior-roster/
2021 Bespoke Solution

The **2021 Bespoke Solution** refers to the legal settlement made between Football Victoria and Avondale, whereupon a compromise was reached between the two parties to avoid the matter of the aborted 2021 season going to court.

When the 2021 league season was cancelled with eight games to play in the home and away season, Avondale were leading the competition by seven points. In the absence of any finals series, Avondale sought to be awarded the 2021 (minor) Premiership (not to be confused with the Championship, a given season's ultimate award) in its own right.

The compromise reached was dubbed the "Bespoke Solution" by Football Victoria. The solution entailed the missed fixtures missed in 2021 - totalling 56 matches - be played simultaneously with their equivalent 2022 fixtures, in order to "complete" the 2021 home and away season, and crowning the (minor) Premiers. In other words, when two teams played a fixture in 2022 that had not been played in 2021, the match would count for both the 2022 season as well as the 2021 Bespoke Solution.

The solution was considered a mockery by most clubs and supporters, with the exception of Avondale, who promoted it on their social media pages. That self-promotion fell by the wayside as Avondale failed to cement its advantage. The 2021 Bespoke Solution race came down to the wire - Avondale's loss to Port Melbourne giving the tainted title to Oakleigh by one point over South Melbourne, the latter of whom won every single game of its eight "six-pointers".

The Bespoke Solution had no finals system, and relegation was not a consideration. In addition, Port Melbourne were retrospectively docked 18 points for breaching NPL licence regulations.

For posterity then, below are the 2021 and 2022 South Melbourne fixtures which counted towards the 2021 Bespoke Solution title race, as well as the final ladder.

## 2021 Bespoke Solution ladder

Oakleigh were crowned the 2021 "premiers".

Port Melbourne were deducted 18 points following the cancelled 2021 season for breaching NPL licence regulations.

## References

1. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20220204121342/https://www.footballvictoria.com.au/news/outcome-legal-proceedings-between-avondale-fc-and-football-victoria-announced
2. ↑ https://southmelbournefc.blogspot.com/2022/01/welcome-back-to-2021-season.html
3. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20221116032921/https://neoskosmos.com/en/2022/02/28/sport/football/port-melbourne-sharks-feel-bite-of-football-victoria-investigation/
4. ↑ Including 18 point deduction for breaching NPL licence regulations