Sunday 23 February 2014

Notes from the weekend of February 22nd-23rd

On Saturday I made my way out to the newly refurbished Broadmeadows Valley Park, in order to watch us have our first match (correction - 2nd NPL friendly, we have already had a 0-0 result against Thunder, as noted by one of our readers) against NPL opposition during this pre-season. The match finished 1-1, with Lujic I believe scoring from a goalmouth scramble in the first half, while Hume equalised in the second half from one of those mishit crosses that ends up going in at the back post. Both sides had some OK chances. I felt we we were the better team in the first half, while the game was more even in the second, as both teams shuffled around their lineups.

During the second half, Lujic had a penalty saved, the second time this pre-season he has failed to score from the penalty spot. After the farce that was last year's penalty taking situation against Gully, where no one wanted to take the penalty against in the finals, it might be nice to sort out once and for all who's the designated penalty taker. Also, at some point have to figure out who's taking our free kicks, since it looks like Nicky Soolsma ain't coming back.

The new facility at Broadmeadows Valley Park is quite nice, with a few caveats. The grandstand, while a nice addition, has very limited seating, which wouldn't ordinarily be a problem with Hume's crowds except for the fact that sight-lines from most other parts of the ground are very poor. Still, a small grandstand is better than no grandstand.

The field, too, looks in good condition, and after chatting with one of the locals it appears as if there are plans to put some new lights in at the main ground as well, with the possibility that they may consider playing night matches.

Buggered if I can remember where I stole this team sheet from.
Shepparton Shenanigans
So, Shepparton South had a big day planned for this event. How did it all turn out? Well, to cut to the chase, we lost 4-3. I'm really regretting not having made the trip out there now, even with the appalling public transport situation; nor for having done my due diligence on this, by reading this article from back in very early January. Check out the name of that trophy for starters..

Shaun Kelly out for 2-3 months
It looks like central defender Shaun Kelly will be missing a good chunk of the 2014 season, if not all of it, after having surgery on a foot ligament injury last week. So combined with Bryan Bran leaving for the Netherlands, and the uncertainty of the left back position, it appears as if only Tim Mala at right back will be a certainty of last year's back four to be playing in his position. Nominally at least, Dimi Tsiaras can play in a defensive role, and Brad Norton might get to hold on to the left back position he held for most of last season, but there may be a surprise or two as we near the start of the season.

And in other news
You may recall that George Malamas joined the board at the most recent AGM. He has since left the board. His departure appears to have been acrimonious, at least from his part.

Sometimes, words fail me
Joffa Corfe, of Collingwood cheersquad fame, is apparently now on the Heidelberg bandwagon, as host of their TV show. Nothing I can say will make that sound any more absurd than it already is.

Lastly
Fixtures come out on Wednesday. Expect two or three away games to start the season courtesy of the grand prix.

18 comments:

  1. Didn't we play dandenong and drew. That would have been our first NPL v match up?

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    Replies
    1. You're correct, I'll make a note of the error.

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  2. I must have missed the previous article about George Malamas joining the board. George Malamas, isn't he the same guy that was punched out by Dean Anastasiades at a friendly some years back for the constant dishing he copped on the internet?

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    1. Yes, I believe so. While I did not see that incident (I believe it was at a Hellenic Cup match), I have been told that Deano did not fully connect.

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  3. You're kidding!!
    Who voted this kind of person on the board ??

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  4. There must be a reason for him to say that. Any idea Paul have u heard anything?

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    1. I have heard the remaining board's version of events, but have not had the chance to hear George Malamas' version of events yet in person.

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    2. wouldn"t it be best if you hear George Malamas' VERSION BEFORE people jump to assertions

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    3. I've only posted that he has left, and that it was not a pleasant parting. This is more or less what he has said on smfcboard himself.

      He has said that people willing to discuss it with him in person are welcome to do so. As of yet, I have not seen him at a pre-season match, so have not yet had the chance of taking up that offer.

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  5. What did u hear?

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    1. As rightly suggested by one of the above posters, it would be best to hear George's version first so as to make a proper comparison of the two versions.

      Delete
  6. Nothing to see and nothing to hear. He nominated and he decided not to join. Why this is the boards fault ? I'd take his reasons with a grain of salt. The board can't deny him a position, he's the only one that can deny himself a position.

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  7. I hear another has quit any truth

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    Replies
    1. Have not heard that, so I'm not sure..

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    2. I too have heard that another board member has flown the coop,has come from reliable source within club,how can board function properly,time for board to be more transparent to its members of what is going on,WE ARE A RABBLE AT THE MOMENT.Also it would do no harm to inform members of what is happening with the social club is there a start date and /or finish date,cmon board ,you want our membership money but how about a bit of transparency.

      Delete
  8. Surely board have a proposed completion date for social club.How can we expect membership to grow,I think this is the 5th year without a social club.Is it govt.money?Is it the lease?What is the problem?Why is the board hiding and not telling us anything,show some balls,true men do not hide.

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    Replies
    1. 4th year

      show some balls and buy a membership, come to an agm / info session then you might be aware of whats going on.

      Delete
  9. Have been a member for over 40 years buddy,and still am and have been to agm and I am lot more aware of what is going on than you will ever be.At AGM all you get is bullshit.And if you went by AGM the social club should have been finished last year.You obviously were not there.TIME FOR THE ENTIRE BOARD OR WHAT IS LEFT OF THEM TO PISS OFF

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We've had a lot of fun over the years with my freewheeling comments policy, but all good things must come to an end. Therefore I will no longer be approving comments that contain personal abuse of any sort.

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