Another quick update on what's being going on at South over the past week.We've signed players! The new signings include Perry Lambropoulos (see right), a right-back from Poet Melbourne, and who had re-signed at Port and had been announced as doing so as recently as a month ago. That probably shows you how much these signing announcements are worth. Lambropoulos had previously played for Oakleigh, including against us in the 2016 grand final if memory serves me correctly, and even if two of the three goals we scored came from his right -hand side, we must remain optimistic and believe that Perry will at least be an improvement on an end-of-the-road Tim Mala.
As noted last week, we've also signed young winger Gerrie Sylaidos, who had been at the recently relegated to NPL2 Northcote. Sylaidos was reputedly being chased hard by a number of teams. so it's nice to snare a promising talent like Gerrie.
There had been talk of the club making a signing from the NSW NPL, and this has turned out to be midfielder Dean Bereveskos from Bonnyrigg White Eagles. I'd asked my NSW #sokkahtwitter folk for some intel on Bereveskos, and Tony Tannous supplied the following.
They say more signings could be announced this week, but we'll see.Had a very good 2017 at Hakoah, but didn't quite work out as hoped after a hyped move to BWE, who were relegated. Wasn't always fit. More an 8 that likes to break & get fwd than a 10. Talented, good technically, consistency the key— Tony Tannous (@TonyTannousTRBA) November 16, 2018
On the departure, front, apart from losing Milos Lujic, we've also parted with Matthew Foschini by mutual agreement (some say he had two more years on his contract). Like Lujic and Nick Epifano (via North Sunshine), Foschini has also joined Oakleigh, where Chris Taylor and co seem to be trying to get the band back together (minus Andy Brennan, who's shipped off to Green Gully), but being South Junior/South 2.0/Diet South has been part of Oakleigh's program for over a decade now.
Oh, and it also appears that Nick Marinos, the coach of our best youth team (the 2018 under 16s) is now the under 20s coach at Port Melbourne.
The list below is an unscientific attempt to corral where we're at this particular moment with our senior men's squad.
2019 SMFC senior squad roster as of 21/11/2018
Signed
- Dean Bereveskos (Bonnyrigg White Eagles)
- Kristian Konstantinidis (signed until end of 2019)
- Perry Lambropoulos (Port Melbourne)
- Brad Norton (signed until end of 2019)
- Gerrie Sylaidos (Northcote)
- Luke Adams
- Alistair Bray
- George Howard
- Giordano Marafioti
- Giuseppe Marafioti
- Leigh Minopoulos
- Nikola Roganovic
- Matthew Foschini (Oakleigh)
- Christos Intzidis (who knows)
- Milos Lujic (Oakleigh)
- Oliver Minatel (Japan?)
- Manny Aguek
- Rory Brian
- Ben Djiba
- Josh Hodes
- Iqi Jawadi
- Ndumba Makeche
- Jake Marshall
- Andrew Mesourouni
- Will Orford
- Marcus Schroen
- Tim Mala
If you know your history episode 2
Yes, they let us make another one.
Yes, they let us make another one.
‘If You Know Your History’ episode 2 on @FNR_Radio, where @IanSyson and I talk about rationales - my doctoral success - Harold C. Wells and The Earth Cries Out - soccer literature - missing trophies and memorabilia - 100 years ago today https://t.co/GhPcnatMah— Paul Mavroudis (@PaulMavroudis) November 19, 2018
Exciting/terrifying time to be a South fan. Happy with the new signing so far, especially Sylaidos - who I hope/expect to be leaving us year end for bigger things, a real talent. Hopefully Minopoulos and Schroen stick around.
ReplyDeleteExcited for the new board - so much to do with the (alleged) rebuilt junior program, re tinkering the home fixture - even rethinking the social club! Hopefully fans are brought back on side after last year's disaster and the club is in good stead for The Championship in 2019-20!
Looking forward to the season kicking off!
Manny
Championship? You are delusional. Surviving is our main priority. Where will the goals come from? How are we not going to concede goals after keeping the same back line which conceding 50 plus goals?? Mate lets think about getting points on the board and surviving the drop not championships. We have signed average players and lost very experienced players. Long season ahead guys...
DeleteAt the stage, that is my opinion as well.
DeleteAs for the Opening rounds, will anyone tell us if we will have a home game in Round 1 or 2?!!
Have to agree with the above, may well be another relegation fight especially when Oakleigh and others will only strengthen. Rebuilt youth program when South are the youth team with most trophies in the history of the NPL, it isn’t the system but the lack of opportunities, pathways that the juniors have making it to the senior squad. Losing quality youth coaches like Marinos and Vlada who have both won two titles in two seasons with their sides is a concern. Should be interesting to see what happens with our visa players too
DeleteMeant the proposed second div. NPL wise this season I think we all just want to see the team stay up lol.
DeleteManny
I think you guys misunderstood, when he said good stead for the championship, I think he meant the potential upcoming 2nd division which is expected to be called the championship lol.
ReplyDeleteNobody truly believed we are making finals let alone challenging this year, surviving relegation is the goal and I think most supporters have accepted that.