Stateline segment on Lakeside redevelopment

I'm a bit worried about anyone who spends their Friday nights watching ABC1's Stateline program, but in this case it's probably a good thing. Thanks to Diagoras off the main South forum for alerting South of the Border to this piece by the said program, which comes almost entirely from the Athletics Victoria point of view.

It goes to show that it isn't all strawberries and cream, and that Athletics Victoria will quite likely become the key tenant, with expectations of the privileges of such an arrangement. While the fairness of it all may be something left to desire, considering all the money that we as a club have invested in the venue, it may be the obvious way things were due to turn out, after all, they're probably going to get higher crowds and more event use out of it than we will. Also shows what happens when governments cave in to people like Eddie Everywhere, instead of following a pluralist approach to this kind of thing.

Also note that the 1926 stand is not slated for demolition as hinted in Neos Kosmos English Weekly earlier this week - rather, it appears that it will be converted into the headquarters for the Victorian Institute of Sport. Again, drip, drip, drip, information coming out so slowly. And lastly, where are we? Why aren't we in the segment, as in like, ask us our point of view? Should we have started a brawl first in order to rate a mention?


Victoria's Athletics community lament football's takeover of Olympic Park

Broadcast: 09/05/2008

Reporter: Kathy Bowlen
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RON CLARKE, FMR WORLD CHAMPION: The only world record set in Australia on any track that's still there was set at Olympic Park.

JAMES MERLINO, SPORTS MINISTER: You don't see as many athletes training at Olympic Park. You don't see as many schools using Olympic Park.

ANNE LOVE, ATHLETICS VICTORIA: There's lots of school events that are conducted here at Olympic Park, training most nights, athletes come in to train. We hold - over the summer - we hold all our championship events here.

JANE FLEMING, FORMER HEPTATHLETE: I just think it's really sad. I mean, Olympic Park has been the home of athletics for 50 years.

KATHY BOWLEN, PRESENTER: For the girls competing at this week's Secondary Catholic Sports Association at Olympic Park, there was plenty of history to inspire them. This is the track where Kathy Freeman first ran under 50 seconds. Raelene Boyle, Jane Fleming and Melinda Gainsford-Taylor competed here. Going back further, it was here that John Landy stopped running to help a fallen Ron Clarke before going on to win the event. And some of those champions are among the most strident critics of the Government's plan.

RON CLARKE: It's always been in that area and that city precinct. And so many memories, so many traditions, so easy to get to. And how it can't be combined with everything else they're doing now, I don't know. It just seems strange.

JANE FLEMING: One of the reasons that athletics thrives in Victoria - most of our national teams are made up of more than 50 per cent Victorians - is because of Olympic Park's location. It's very, very central. And I think by moving it to anywhere else, we're going to lose that to start with and we're also not in the middle of the major sporting precinct of the major, you know, of Australia's sporting capital any more.

KATHY BOWLEN: Jane Fleming, who's expecting twins next week, lives in Sydney these days, but she's horrified by what she sees as a blatant disregard for the sport's tradition.

JANE FLEMING: People within athletics are very emotionally attached to that track because of all the history. And, I think that, you know, whilst the Government might have all sorts of, all sorts of reasoning behind what they're looking at doing, I think they need to put a value on the history and the emotion.

JAMES MERLINO: I can understand the heritage argument, but if that's the only basis on which that sport stays at Olympic Park, I don't think it stacks up in terms of the benefits we're gonna see down the track.

KATHY BOWLEN: James Merlino, who's been Sports Minister for 18 months, inherited the plans for Olympic Park. Nevertheless, he's committed to what he says is the future of athletics at Albert Park.

JAMES MERLINO: All of the principal Olympic sports will be based at Albert Park. So, you'll have track and field at Lakeside Oval. At MSAC, you already got the principal aquatic sports, so swimming, diving, water polo - all of those sports based at MSAC. In addition to that, we'll have the VIS base there. So, we'll have a new purpose built facility for the VIS based in the old 1926 grandstand, so that's gonna be completely renovated. We've also got sports medicine Australia, a number of state sporting associations based in that precinct. So, we're creating something quite special.

KATHY BOWLEN: Negotiations have been going on for well over a year and Athletics Victoria is cautiously optimistic.

ANNE LOVE: In a perfect world, no, we'd probably stay at Olympic Park. But, as I said, we've got to do the right thing by our members and our past members as well as our present members and to move the sport forward and to get a better deal for our sport is what we're after. And that's what we're working closely with the Government, you know, towards that. They've been terrific. And we have no doubt that they'll deliver on their insurances.

KATHY BOWLEN: The plan would see athletics share the lake side venue with the South Melbourne Soccer Club, who are also part of the negotiations. The plan is to provide another two ovals so their junior and women's teams can be based at Albert Park, giving the club a proper home. Their lease runs for another eight years, as does the sponsorship deal, which names the venue the Bob Jane Stadium.

The Minister concedes it's an odd name for an athletics stadium.

JAMES MERLINO: So, it's Bob Jane Stadium for a period of time, but what is absolutely crucial to athletics and I agree totally is that this is to be known as the State Athletics Centre or the Victorian Athletics Centre and we're completely in agreement with that. And we'll make sure that athletics gets the recognition that it deserves in this facility.

KATHY BOWLEN: When Melbourne staged the Friendly Games in 1956, Olympic Park was the home of our swimming, cycling and track and field teams. It was the warm up track for athletes competing at the MCG. At the conclusion of the games, the Lord Mayor of Melbourne pledged that the area would always be kept for amateur sports. That hasn't happened. The area now plays host to the Australian Open tennis, the Melbourne Storm and Melbourne Victory and perhaps most controversially, the Collingwood Football Club.

Collingwood now trains at Gosh's Paddock on Punt Road, but when Olympic Park is pulled down it will have a purpose built training facility, right next door to the club rooms.

Collingwood President Eddie McGuire is also a board member of Athletics Australia. Many in the athletics community believe he has a conflict of interest when it comes to dealing with what's best for athletics.

RON CLARKE: I'm flabbergasted why they should even do it. I spoke to Eddie McGuire and - some time back - and he was assuring me that they wanted to retain Olympic Park, they wanted to retain track and field there. And I really can't understand the big change-about. Either - I don't know if this is the State Government or driven by Collingwood themselves.

JANE FLEMING: The Storm and the Victory have been able to share the venue, and it's only really the AFL clubs. And I feel like saying to them: "Don't you have enough already?" You know, in comparison to the amateur sports.

KATHY BOWLEN: Businessman and former decathlete Rob Fildes chairs the sport's governing body in Australia and invited Eddie McGuire to join the board. He says the Collingwood President has acted in good faith.

ROB FILDES, ATHLETICS AUSTRALIA: It hasn't been a big issue at the board level. At our last board meeting, we did however raise it with Eddie and we went through any questions that there might be. And from his point of view, when he comes to athletics he's been very supportive of our sport.

KATHY BOWLEN: As a successful international businessman, Rob Fildes has a pragmatic approach to his former sport and believes funding of athletes and coaches is far more crucial than where they train. But as our competitors invest heavily in their sporting futures, will we come to regret relinquishing the connection to our golden era of track and field?

JANE FLEMING: I just want the Government to think about the next time they want to have a photograph taken with a Cathy Freeman or a John Landy or a Ron Clarke or at the Premier's fundraising for the Olympic Games team about removing piece of integral infrastructure to the history and success of our sport.

Mixed Bag - SMWFC - Ressies 1-3, Seniors 2-2

So I did make my way down to Lakeside last night to see some football action. Saw part of the first and the whole of the 2nd half of the Ressies game. They'd taken the lead in what I gathered to be an even first half. In the 2nd half they were largely outplayed however, conceding two goals in a minutes to be 1-2 down, and despite improving significantly to the point where they should have equalised, Keilor Park did well enough to add another and kill the game off. Post match the ressies' coach was pretty spot in his comments, telling his team that they were outplayed when they stopped moving, and it was plain to see that the visitors wanted it more, by running in numbers and keeping up the chatter (last part my comments).

Missed the first half of the seniors game, because some people I was with at the game wanted to have dinner, and a sit down dinner with plates and everything, so I was kinda obliged to join them in the unsocial club. Anyway, we caught the 2nd half. It was 1-1 at the break. South copped an early goal in the 2nd half, but managed to equalise midway through said period. Both sides wasted a few chances, but especially South, but credit also to both keepers for doing a good job. One of the people who I was watching the game with was pleasantly surprised with the standard which was good to see, especially considering the two teams are at the wrong end of the table. Shows that the local women's game is gradually getting there. There's still scrappy elements to the game to be sure, but they are amateurs, and I reckon there's been significant progress in the action I've seen over the past 2 and a bit seasons. Overall, good night out, but a missed opportunity to get three points and get clear of the relegation zone.

Pumpkin Seed Eaters Episode 7

Hmm. Another fortnight, another episode. This time around, mailbag, previews, Chelsea headhunter returns, gold logie award, their continued surge in popularity across this big brown land, and music which or may not be to your taste - needs more Holy Bible era Manic Street Preachers in my opinion. And then there's the good stuff. The aural equivalent of a pretty fucking nasty angry pill which will get even cynical members of Generation X off their arses to fight the power, namely an analysis of an interview which Evil Geoff Lord did on on SEN. And an actually rather clever and well executed parody of the 4Diegos, also of SEN.

And in some serious postmodern headfuckery, another plug of South of the Border, with particular focus on my review of their episode 5. Selective quoting? Elaborate gamesmanship in order to receive and send reciprocal plugs, or just an attempt to use South of the Border for certain slightly nefarious purposes? It's all a bit much to think about at the time of writing this, (11:30 on a Wednesday night), but for those of my 10-20 regular readers who haven't downloaded the show by now, you'll want to head straight to 35:25 minutes into the episode and hear it for yourself. But really, you should all know whether you enjoy their stuff or not by now anyway. National audience, does your head in contemplating the ramifications. Soon, like South of the Border, they'll be an international phenomenon. And Zeus help us all when that happens.

Fustal - Australia 6 Kuwait 2 - Nando with one of the goals

There's so much South related stuff going on it's hard to keep up at the moment! Anyways, the following is a two day old match report as seen on the FFA's official site. Thanks to smfcboarder Brazuca for alerting South of the Border to this piece.



Qantas Futsalroos beat Kuwait as preparations continue

Wednesday, 7 May 2008

Lachlan Wright against the Philippines at the AFF Futsal Championships

FFA © Football Federation Australia

The Qantas Futsalroos continued their preparations for their assault at making the 2008 FIFA Futsal World Cup in Brazil later this year, with a 6-2 win over Kuwait in Bangkok, Thailand.

The team came back from a 2-1 half time deficit, to overwhelm the Kuwaiti’s who are also participating at the AFC Futsal Championships that start in Bangkok next Sunday.

It wasn’t the best start by Australia as they tried to find their rhythm in the hot and humid conditions, with Kuwait taking advantage and grabbing the half time lead.

But the second half was a different story, as Australia scored five unanswered goals with experienced Futsalroo Lachlan Wright snaring a double. Other goalscorers were Danny Ngaluafe, Chris Zeballos, Greg Giovenali and Fernando de Moraes.

The team will conclude their preparations with a hit out against the Thailand U21 team on Thursday.

Australia begins their AFC Futsal Championship campaign with a game against Turkmenistan, followed by matches against Chinese Taipei and No.2 ranked Japan. The top two from each group will progress to the quarter finals, with the four semi finalists qualifying for the World Cup that will be played in Brazil in October.

Women's game tonight, 8:30

Don't forget, the Women's team are playing Keilor Park tonight. At 8:30. Under lights. At Lakeside. Open kitchen. See me get into a verbal slanging match with 21st century authoritarian scumbags. Seriously though, that probably won't happen. But it could., Be there regardless though, should be a good night and all.

A trip to a Tolkienien northern wasteland - Round 12, Whittlesea Zebras vs South Melbourne

Okay, maybe a slight overreaction. But best to bring your woollies with ya. And has anyone over the age of 15 ever read Tolkien for the first time and liked it?

Last time they met

Round 11, 2007, at Epping Stadium

Whittlesea Zebras 3 South Melbourne 2

Lively enough game in their only meeting for 2007, but Whittlesea's counter attacking style won the day, despite Ramazan's South of the Border goal of the year effort. South at the time were scoring goals like they were going out of fashion, which they did a few weeks later. Whittlesea ended up making the grand final.

Preview
No Nando. Possibly no Billy Nats. Out there in the freezing cold. Alone. Wait, back up. Should be a tough game, both teams on level points and all, seven points behind sixth placed Heidelberg. A win here for either side could mean the start of something good, a loss, and well and truly back into the relegation battle. The Zebras coach, former South player and Socceroo Peter Ollerton has left, but there's still the nucleus of a good side there, including lively Floreat Athena recruit Jerry Karpeh. Still, South has finally seemed to get on a bit of a roll performance wise, even though everything isn't quite clicking 100% yet. Last week's win was a pretty big one, but now, with two of the league's strugglers to come in the Zebras and Pines before what could possibly be a massive match against Heidelberg in the context of the season, anything less than six points may well seem to fall short of the target. Still, four points would also be good, but seeing as we haven't had a draw for a long time - 15 consecutive league matches - one can only see a comfortable win or a heartbreaking loss on the cards.

Dean Anastasiadis set to tour with Kiss... maybe

This is off soccer-forum, a very possible playing out of the last days of Dean Anastasiadis as South keeper, courtesy of a poster known only as "phils". Rather than keep it hidden in the restricted areas of that forum, I thought i'd be nice if it was released into the public domain. Minor script errors edited by myself for clarity. Enjoy.


...Peter Zois is wanted by 'mixmastermike' at south but Anastasiadis's father and dean will fight tooth and nail to keep the zoismeister away for this season so dean can go out on a high in his "last" season. Its almost like KISS announcing another final tour. Whats the bet he will play one more year and the conversation with mike m will be a little like this...

DEAN: C'mon Mike, I'm turning 40 next year, I wanna be the first keeper since Maurice Raponi, Jeff Olver and Robert Brian to play in my forties and hinder the progress of today's young keepers.
MIKE: But I have Zois, Kenny and that chick from Box Hill that played in the Richmond Ressies wanting to come down.
DEAN: What if I give you 10c off every litre of regular unleaded you buy at my servo?
MIKE: My X5 needs premium malaka.
DEAN: Um... I think only my dad can give discounts on premium. (Long pause, Deano's soccer career is flashing before his eyes) Probably best if you speak to him.

Fernando in Futsalroos squad for AFC championships

As mentioned a little while back, and as seen and borrowed from Z-League loving but otherwise tip-top aussie soccer blog Football In The Capital, South's own Brazilian maestro Fernando De Moraes has been named in the Futsalroos squad which goes to Thailand to compete for the AFC championships, of which the four semi-finalists qualify for the 2008 Futsal World Cup. Nando is also the only Victorian to make the cut.

Should Australia reach the semis, Nando will miss not only this week's clash against Whittlesea, but also next week's game against Frankston Pines. Nevertheless, South of the Border has no hesitation in wishing Nando, who is always glad to have a quick chat when he can with your correspondant, and the Australian all the best in their Thailand adventure. It's always an honour to represent your country at the elite level, and even better when one of our own South boys gets out there on the big stage. Hopefully as with the Kuala Lumpur tournament from earlier this year, there'll be footage made available by the smfcboard forumite known as Brazuca of Nando slotting a few away. You can try to keep up with the latest from the tournament via the AFC's brilliant official site, or something.


The rest is a press release as seen and nicked from Football in the Capital via the FFA, but I'm sure Eamonn doesn't mind.


FFA Release:
QANTAS FUTSALROOS TO COMMENCE WORLD CUP JOURNEY


The Qantas Futsalroos will open their qualifying campaign for the 2008 FIFA Futsal World Cup on Sunday with Scott Gilligan's side looking to maintain Australia's record of having appeared in every FIFA Futsal World Cup since the inaugural version in 1989.


The Qantas Futsalroos have been drawn alongside number 2 ranked Asian side Japan, along with Turkmenistan and Chinese Taipei for the Asian Football Confederation's Futsal Championships being held in Thailand.

The four semi finalists at the 16 nation tournament will represent Asia at October's FIFA Futsal World Cup in Brazil.

Gilligan has chosen an experienced 14 man squad for the qualifying tournament which features seven veterans of the 2004 World Cup campaign.


Australia’s first Group B match is against Turkmenistan on Sunday, followed by Chinese Taipei on Monday and Japan on Tuesday 13 May. The all-important quarter finals will see the top two teams in Group B meet the top two teams in Group A that features Thailand, Kyrgyzstan, Iraq and Indonesia.

Australia will complete their final preparations with matches against Kuwait tomorrow and against the Thailand U21s on Thursday, having demolished New Zealand 11-2 in Sydney on Saturday immediately prior to flying out to Bangkok.

The Qantas Futsalroos squad for the qualifying tournament is:

Tuan Cao (NSW), Fernando de Moreas (VIC), Trent Flanigan (ACT), Greg Giovenali (NSW), Luke Haydon (QLD), Simon Keith (NSW), Angelo Konstantinou (ACT), Dean Lockhart (NSW), Danny Ngaluafe (Qld), Gavin O’Brien (NSW), Peter Spathis (NSW), Adrian Vizzari (NSW), Lachlan Wright (NSW), Christopher Zeballos (NSW).

The four groups are:
Group A – Thailand, Kyrgyzstan, Iraq, Indonesia
Group B – Japan, Australia, Turkmenistan, Chinese Taipei
Group C – Uzbekistan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Korea Republic
Group D – IR Iran, Tajikistan, China PR, Kuwait

Australia’s matches are:
May 11 v Turkmenistan – 6.45pm (local time)
May 12 v Chinese Taipei – 12 noon (local time)
May 13 v Japan – 6.45pm (local time)

All matches in the tournament will be played at either the Nimibutr or Hua Mark stadiums in Bangkok, with the final to be held on May 18.

Grease me up woman!

Day old media release which by now every man and his/her dog have seen and commented on.


Media Release from Martin Foley's Office - State Member for Albert Park


Wednesday 7th May 2008

IMPROVING SPORTS FACILITIES FOR THE COMMUNITY IN OUR FAVOURITE PARK

The future of the Lakeside Oval and the South Melbourne Football (Soccer) Club was today secured with the State Budget Announcement of $50.3m for a package that includes for the biggest makeover the old oval will have seen.

State Labor Member for Albert Park, Martin Foley welcomed today’s budget announcement by saying "This is great news for the Lakeside Oval, great news for athletics in Victoria, great news for the South Melbourne Football Club and great news for local community sport. Best of all, this is great news for Albert Park, delivered without any loss of open space."

Albert Park is already home to many local community and sporting groups including golf clubs, rowing clubs, walking and cycling clubs as well as boating and fishing enthusiasts.

PREMIER ATHLETICS FACILITY IN ALBERT PARK

Mr Foley said "The package includes relocating Athletics Australia, Athletics Victoria, together with the Victorian Institute of Sport to the Lakeside Oval. It will make the Oval the premier athletics facility in the State. It will be the home of the state-of-the-art training and competition facilities - bringing most Olympic athletics sports in Melbourne to Albert Park alongside the existing Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre."

SOUTH MELBOURNE FOOTBALL CLUB: A PART OF OUR COMMUNITY

“More importantly, the project will allow the South Melbourne Football Club the opportunity to consolidate its community links and operations locally by bringing junior and women's club activities back to the club base. It will also allow a modern and accessible set of club facilities to be developed - something the club has been crying out for" Mr Foley said.

Currently the club is spread across three locations. The men are at Albert Park, the women are in St Kilda and the juniors are out at Caulfield. The new development will provide the club with an opportunity to bring all of these clubs together at a completely redeveloped facility.

South Melbourne Football Club President, Leo Athanasakis welcomed the commitment from the Brumby Government saying "This is great news for our Club. The announcement will help us secure our future as not only Melbourne's Premier Community based Football Club but will also allow us to become an even more integral part of Our Local Community.”

Mr Athanasakis said “By the program of building a new state of the art pitch in a revamped standium, plus new all weather and turf pitches in the park we will not only secure our senior team, but we will build football links with our juniors and our women's team. Our new club facilities and function areas will help make us a viable and strong club for the future."

For more information contact South Melbourne FC, Bob Jane Stadium, 9645 9797; the office of Martin Foley MP on 9699 6755; or visit www.budget.vic.gov.au.


It all sounds good, but where are the plans? Devil's in the detail, and we haven't seen them yet. So far it's been drip, drip, drip, and not enough to drink. Are we being buttered up? Would we abandon our Caulfield junior base and relocate to Albert Park, or have a split system? And where is everyone going to end up without a loss of open space? All a seems a bit suss at my end, to be perfectly honest. Somehow it all seems too easy. You let us put a running track in and here's a whole bunch of stuff just falling into our laps. I'm also concerned by all this South Melbourne FC love all of a sudden, local community, police, government, all against us for ages, and now we're flavour of the month? Wait and see people, interesting times ahead.

South of the Border Link Shuffle

Again really minor update... just letting you know of the moving around of some stuff to different categories, hopefully making it a little easier to find relevant links.

There's also the addition of another South related site, something to do with some South Supporters mob or something, I'd tell you more, but their website doesn't have too much info at the moment. However, legend has it is populated by a shy, largely nocturnal beast, which thrives on the risottos and chicken parmas of Clarendon Street and its surrounds, and I'll stop right there or else I could get myself into serious trouble, because who knows what primordial powers I could be messing with?

Also, because you all asked for it, here is the finished version of my Lakeside redevelopment article, on the Neos Kosmos English Weekly site. Kewl. More important and less self-indulgent stuff tomorrow, I promise.

Astronomy Picture of the Day

Sometimes the world and all its troubles can be too much to handle. And then to compound that, one of those things which is supposed to temporarily alleviate those issues, watching South, makes matters even worse, especially in recent years. It times like these, it may help to put things back in perspective, by recognising how outrageously small our place in the scheme of things is.

These two galaxies are fighting a multi-billion year war against each other. Some day, one of them will not exist. The scale of the battle is ridiculous. Astronomy Picture of the Day is now available as link on the side, for those times when it seems we're going nowhere, and it's simply not enjoyable anymore. Just to put things in perspective, as well as to awe and amaze.

South under 18s Super League team crush Casey 13-0

While the senior women lost 2-0 and their reserves got a 1-1 draw, and the under 21s went down 4-0, the under 18s super league team has continued it's good start to their season with 13-0 belting of the Casey Comets. This puts them top of the league on goal difference, and according to one of our loyal readers, they also play a really attractive brand of football to boot. I wish them well for the rest of their season.

South Women at home against Keilor Park in Friday Night Football

Haven't had the chance to see them yet this year, but all that should change this Friday 9th May at Lakeside when SMWFC take on Keilor Park under lights with kickoff at 8:30. Both teams are at the wrong end of the table at the time of writing, so should at least be a close, competitive game, although I'm sure we'd all rather the girls go out there and absolutely thump the opposition. And seeing as there's no Friday night aussie rules, and the kitchen will be open, should be a worthwhile experience.

NKEW article on athletics track and such

Haven't seen the final product myself, but apparently I've had an article published in Neos Kosmos English Weekly. This is the original, almost nothing you haven't seen before, but it's nice to gloat, sorta, every now and again. And also good to spread the love outside South of the Border. Don't even know what the headline is!

The Victorian Government announced last Monday that Athletics Victoria would be moved from its current base at Olympic Park to a redeveloped Lakeside Stadium. The work needed to accommodate the move, which would include the reconfiguration of the venue to incorporate a running track, would reportedly begin later this year at a cost of $50 million. The redeveloped stadium would have a capacity of 10,000, with seating for 5,000, though no plans were released with the announcement.

Lakeside Stadium is currently the home of former National Soccer League side South Melbourne FC since its own enforced move from its former Middle Park base in the mid 1990s. The club, which still has several years remaining on its lease of Lakeside, would remain as a tenant. Currently the venue also hosts finals matches for the Victorian Premier League, as well as training sessions for the Socceroos and overseas sides while visiting Melbourne.

Talks between the parties have been in operation for the past two years. The announcement by the Minister for Sport James Merlino has seemingly ended the constant speculation over the future of Olympic Park, as well as the future of Lakeside itself. The former will almost certainly end up as a training venue for the Collingwood and Melbourne Football Clubs.

In a statement on its official site, South Melbourne said it was “pleased that the Victorian Government has recognised the area as a major sporting precinct”, and emphasised its nearly 50 year association with the Albert Park area. For their part, Athletics Victoria and Athletics Australia were caught out by the announcement, declining to comment on the day announcement was made, and released a joint press release on Tuesday. Many in the athletics community have been angered by the moves to oust them from their base of over 50 years, especially in the perceived conflict of interest of Eddie McGuire, who is both president of Collingwood and on the board of Athletics Australia

The redevelopment could be a major boon for South Melbourne FC, with the right deal possibly securing their future for many years to come. The possible benefits could include a clean slate in terms of the catering and naming rights contracts which currently exist at the venue, additional training grounds in the area, upgrades to its own facilities, as well a new lease which could see the club secure its home at Lakeside for as much as 40 years.

While many in the local athletics community are angry at the enforced move from their traditional home, many South Melbourne fans view this as a terrific opportunity to cement the club’s future, despite the increased distance from the playing field that would ensue. South supporter and volunteer John Kyrou said he’d be disappointed at having the state’s premium soccer facility altered in such a fashion, but ultimately the club’s future viability was a more important issue.

“If having a track in the way is the sacrifice we have to make in order to ensure that Hellas will be around for many years to come, then so be it. Many of our supporters have been to Olympic Park many times to watch South matches and it hasn't been that bad. We would eventually get used to it.”

“I don't like the fact that our ground - one of the very few purpose-built football venues in the state - will have a running track around it. However in saying that, I believe that if the South board can play their cards right in negotiations with the relevant parties and do things the right way then this proposal has the potential to land the club an enormous amount of continual income that will set us up for a long long time.”

The announcement also failed to shed any light on the future of the old grandstand, the last remaining element of the former Lake Oval, which has fallen into serious disrepair. Sources have hinted however that it has been slated for demolition. Previous attempts to convert it into the Melbourne base for the Sydney Swans, incorporating among other things a museum, never came to fruition.

Or Perhaps Not

Someone has now reported hearing on 3xy that Zois has been snaffled by, of all teams, Frankston Pines. All this is good for is the post count.

Zois to South, done and dusted, apparently

I was told this early in the 2nd half by one of my loyal readers, and had it confirmed by the person who was supposed to do my blog logo, and more or less confirmed by the non-comment stylings of a certain suave and sophisticated director - or at least that's the way I'm choosing to interpret that discussion. Now you may have read it earlier on smfcboard, or soccer forum, but it is my exclusive, you hear? I just wasn't near enough to a computer to post it. Still awaiting the arrival of Scotty MacNicol as well, I assume he's still coming.

Winning Is Good - South Melbourne 1 Richmond 0

De Nittis scored, hardly surprising, while a number of players should have scored, but didn't, which was not. Dominated a slow paced game, the previously free scoring Richmond kept to few chances, South earning their 2nd clean sheet for the year. On the minus side, Natsioulas seemed to come off with a serious injury, Fernando will miss the next 1-2 games with AFC Fustalroos duty - as reported in South of the Border, like, ages ago, though you had to look carefully - but on the other hand, some players appear to be coming into some sort of form, and we may have turned the corner.

South of the Border haiku edition no. 5

Another happy piece! This one started form two places. One was a survey published in the Herald Sun a few years back talking about the fact that, as popular as aussie rules is, only about 27 % of the people in this city actually gave a toss. And then that lead to thoughts on how the remaining majority viewed the sporting world as they passed their fields, ovals, and stadia along their walks and drives. Is it much the same way I, as an atheist, see religious buildings? Sort of quaint examples of a dying breed, or as something unfathomable and distant, in the case of stadia, constructions which include some and but not others? And what of the people who run around the lake every day? Do they not wonder at this large piece of real estate, the old and ew parts of it, all of its history, do they not think about its meaning and purpose? The other place this came from was the night I saw a possum on the ground outside just near the blue gates I think. You kinda forget that sometimes these things are there.

Structurally, this started as a strict 17 syllable piece, then it was broken down slightly, rebuilt, and ended up having 18 syllables. I had another word in place of 'obsolete', but it just didn't fit the poem in. The joggers and possums were the start of it, as you may have guessed, were the non-negotiable part. I like it, but I don't love it. Better than last week's to be sure. No season word, but the balance between structure/nature/humanity/choice/destiny, seems to sit there fairly well.


an obsolete temple;
choosing paths which lead away
joggers and possums

Local Derby Hoorah! - Round 11, South Melbourne vs Richmond

Seeing as Port Melbourne aren't coming up anytime soon, this'll have to do for a local derby. Enjoy fuzzball.

Last time they met

Round 17, 2007, at Lakeside

South Melbourne 0 Richmond 1

Thoroughly dull match, decided by a monumental fuck up by Langerak. Henry Fa'arodo crossed low and seemingly harmlessly from out wide into the box, but the ball slipped through Langerak's legs with Steve Burton scoring one of the easiest goals of his life. On balance though Richmond were the better team, with South showing little of note.

Preview
Richmond should win this. They've been one of the best teams of the early part of the season, scoring goals almost at will, and yet they aren't invincible, having lots to Whittlesea and Heidelberg within the past 4 games. The loss of Stuart McCluskey and Pablo Cardozo to suspension may test their depth a little, but with a solid, experienced and obviously capable squad, Richmond would still have to be favourite for this game. South on the other hand, even when playing well has managed to lose games, and still hasn't quite settled under new coach Michaelokopoulos. The defense is still over the place, and the overwhelming majority of their goals have come in two games. Will the opening of the transfer window solve some of these problems? Certainly in regard to some of the central midfielders being suggested it could well do so, still, avoiding relegation will sadly be the goals this year, with a genuine push for the finals delayed for a season. It sucks, I know. But then again, maybe this will be the start of the great Hellas revival of 2008? One can only hope.

A Tale of Two Federations

First up, a press release from the FFV:


COMMUNITY Football in Victoria received a boost with the announcement of a $750,000 commitment from the Victorian Government on Tuesday at a pressconference held at Telstra Dome, one of the first steps in Football Federation Victoria’s Strategic Plan for 2008-2011.

A host of Melbourne Victory stars were on hand at Telstra Dome as Football Federation Australia, FFV and the Victorian Government, through its Department of Sport and Recreation, confirmed the funding.

Victorian Minister for Sport, Recreation and Youth Affairs James Merlino made the announcement alongside FFV CEO Mark Rendell, FFA Head of Game Development Matthew Bulkeley, and Melbourne Victory CEO Geoff Miles. Rendell said the financial commitment fell directly in line with the initial stages of the FFV Strategic Plan for the next three years.

“We believe the funding made available by the Victorian Government will have a direct impact on football in this state,” Rendell said.

“We outlined in our Strategic Plan earlier this year the need to generate additional revenue to invest in the growth of Victorian Football, and this falls into line with that.

“The commitment of $750,000 from the Victorian Government is a great start to what we are trying to achieve.”

The funding has been allocated to initiatives and programs that will benefit Victoria’s football community, both in a club and school context, and has provided the FFV and Melbourne Victory with a unique opportunity to conduct new and exciting projects.

The new projects, which include the Melbourne Victory Schools 5-a-side, a Volunteer Recognition Program, Grassroots Certificate Training and Small Sided Games Communication Strategy, have already received excellent feedback throughout the state.

FFV has been a major force behind the success of the projects, which also aim to strengthen the connection between Victory and Victoria’s football community and encourage participation in school football by teachers and students alike.

“We are excited about the opportunity to be involved in grassroots football through the Melbourne Victory Schools 5-a-side,” Miles said.


Next up, an open letter from the CEO of Football NSW, Michael Quarmby, to his constituents.


There has been a lot of talk recently on the viability of clubs competing in the Premier League. Football NSW (FNSW) itself is receiving a fair share of criticism in this regard. While we do not have any control over the spending of clubs, we do have a level of responsibility to help clubs compete with an economically sound model.

The biggest expense item is players salaries. As an ex player many years ago it was nice to receive hundreds of dollars per week but the reality today is there is not enough revenue streams for clubs, ie. supporters and level of sponsorship, to sustain the costs of players wages and the rest of expenses that go towards putting a team on the park.

Part of our responsibility to help the clubs is to have the highest level of promotion that we can do. The one thing I am sure you will agree is that this level of promotion has increased dramatically over the last few years. The players and clubs are promoted on TV (Football Stars of Tomorrow), magazines (FourFourTwo), newspapers (The Daily Telegraph, Australian British Soccer Weekly, local Cumberland and Fairfax papers), radio and our website.

We receive fees from each Club for the conduct of the first grade and Under 20 competition. However, these funds fall well short of the expenditure incurred in the administration, marketing and promotion of the TeleChoice Premier League. As part of our overall responsibility to the game, Football NSW underwrites the gap between fees received and expenses. This underwriting is made possible from commercial revenues generated by Football NSW from activities separate from that of the TeleChoice Premier League competition. With the administration costs of running the League (ie. Referee fees, processing registrations and contracts, general daily correspondence and communications, match commissioners, judiciaries, fulfilling media commitments above including journalists, staff etc), there is a significant net cost to FNSW that we budget for each year in the interest of the competition and the pathway to the A-League for the players and coaches.

As I mentioned earlier, our responsibility is to help minimize the costs of clubs. The Premier League Standing Committee represented by all Premier League clubs and our competitions department are assessing all income and expenses in this regard. They are currently working on a player points system linked to a salary cap which would help in financially running their clubs for next year.

I expect that and other initiatives from the committee over the next couple of months in order that they may help the clubs for next season.

I intend where practicable to make this a regular column where I can address your issues as well as communicate initiatives we are working towards. So please do not hesitate to speak your mind in relevant issues affecting our game.

Next week a snapshot of Football NSW and what we do….


Notice any difference? Now, one wouldn't want to generalise about other federations and their motives, and make grass is greener statements. There's plenty of hatred directed at Football NSW from its own constituents to make that mistake. But look at the first article. Pay attention to how Melbourne Victory is mentioned no less than six times in about a dozen sentences. Then see the other piece and how it's all about promoting the local scene, minimising costs for clubs etc. Take note FFV. The Victory is not your concenr, They run themselves, for a profit, and will use any means and anyone necessary in order to attain it. You are there to support the people who pay your wages. Comprehende?

Minor changes in linkage

Just a note alerting people to some minor link updates. The Rank and Vile blog by Gweeds has moved and is now known as the Accidental Australian. The South Women's site has another sister site, a blog which has so far mostly provided senior scores, links and increased neatness. And also the Supermercado Project has changed addresses, and due to its appalling lack of anything South related even in terms of linkage, has been moved to the miscellaneous section in this blog.

Comments on Eels at The Palais

Yeah, this was on Saturday night. Better than their previous show, but didn't blow me away like their Hamer Hall show (best gig ever). The documentary at the start was ok, but I'm not quite sure what everyone was raving on about. People who pay $72 only to get drunk and thrown out for being dickheads should probably reconsider how they spend their leisure money. Palais is a nice venue, but the crowd was quite disappointing in numbers, and of course there's always people talking during at least some part of the show. I'm not quite sure why Eels, a fairly non-confrontational, indie geek orientated band attracts such an aloof and unappreciative audience.

Best songs, Flyswatter, Elizabeth on the Bathroom Floor and previously unplayed (and long awaited from my point of view) Strawberry Blonde. Eels need to release a new album though, because this is the third tour in a row now without one, and people perhaps are getting restless and jaded with having the same songs played over and over without any new material. Can we have Bad Dude In Love, License to Eel and Kennedy's Curse already?

Well that sucked - Altona Magic 1 South Melbourne 0

We had more opportunities, played the better football for the majority of the match, and yet still cop the loss, thanks to an own goal. But still more or less the same problems persist. Long balls from the back. Can't keep a clean sheet. Can't hit crosses above knee height. Can barely score against teams which aren't in the relegation zone. Will the transfer window opening up help? Am I overreacting seeing as actually we were the better team, and perhaps we were just unlucky? But we are in general playing a lot better than under Johnny A', and anyone who thunk otherwise is only looking at results and not the games themselves. Anyway, tough ask against Richmond this week Sunday at home, we'll see how we do.

Clarendon Curva Confirmed?

According to reports posted by certain people who heard it on the radio apparently, James Merlino, the Minister for Sport, Recreation and Youth Affairs, has made the announcement that Lakeside will be shared by South and Athletics Victoria, with the running track to be built within two years or something like that. Still too early to know exactly what the details of the arrangement are, but I'm giving it my conditional approval, if it secures the club's future for a very long time. Looks like Eddie's got his way, but more details as they arise. I'm off to Paisley Park.

You give em a plug (reprise)

South Women's Thirds lost 6-0! Bah, I'm off that bandwagon. But I am back on the WVPL team bandwagon, with both Seniors and Reserves getting results against once upon a time Women's game powerhouse Casey (nee Cranbourne) Comets. Seniors had a scoreless draw breaking a long running losing streak, while the Reserves got their first points of the season with a 4-2 win!

A bit late, but it's something

Footage of the first goal from last week's game against Fawkner... once again, not the best footage - sitting right behind the goals on the same elevation as they play is not a great idea - but at least you can see the ball a bit in this clip, and get the gist of what happened. Thanks to Cliff for the footage, and thanks to me for providing a medium for it to be uploaded without failing.

Women's Thirds team kick off season today

Good luck to one of South of the Border's favourite sources of information and mirth, the highly flammable Cindy and the rest of the team as they kick off their season today in the State League 3 South East division. And kill those Albert Park WSC feckers in the derby game in a few weeks..

South of the Border haiku edition no.4

Another one of those I had published last year, so once again, a little bleak. Also prone to hyperbole, in line with the sense of futility often prevalent in these times, and with more than a hint of desperation, reminiscent perhaps a little of Sun Tzu's reference to 'death ground'.


On death ground
We demonstrate
The desperateness
Of the situation


Strictly speaking from a haiku rules perspective, I'm unhappy about this one; it's over the top, it lacks a 'season' word, and it has a morbidity which frightens me. And yet this heaviness, the contrast between the weight upon everyone still supporting the club and the fact that this has been caused by a lessening/lightening of numbers, in some slightly perverse way works rather well. Can you believe though that I had a far more ridiculous haiku ready to go in its place? This one seems perfectly rational in comparison.


deserted and scorned
defenders of the true faith
we still battle on

My brother's about to start playing World of Warcraft - Round 10, Altona Magic vs South Melbourne

There is a park that is known
4 the face it attracts
colorful people whose hair
On 1 side is swept back
The smile on their faces
It speaks of profound inner peace
Ask where they're going
They'll tell U nowhere
They've taken a lifetime lease
On Paisley Park

Prince, Paisley Park


Ah Prince, you crazy mf. Would he have adopted the name Paisley Park for the song and recording studio if he knew of the Australian soccer complex next to the oil refinery? I guess we'll never know the answer to that question. Will South ever earn a point out there? Turn up on Monday to find out.

Last time they met

Round 23, 2007, at Paisley Park

Altona Magic 1 South Melbourne 0

Thoroughly dull match, in which a defensive lapse in concentration saw the Magic take all three points. Michael Curcija was the goalscorer.

Preview
Altona almost without doubt now are the biggest spending team in the league. It's only got them barely in the six so far, but with some of the absolute quality they have in there, and the fact that they've never dropped a point to South in the VPL regular season, means they should consolidate their position. So far this season South has gone L, L, W, L, L, W, L ,L, W, so that means a loss is due here. Or a draw. But we won't win. The end. Not much of a preview, I know, but I'm feeling sick at the moment. And only two days before the Eels show at The Palais. Sucks bad.

South Melbourne Hellas video goldmine

It's often been a difficult task getting to see South on the tv... whether that was because of bad broadcasting deals, Sydney bias, of simply not being on the big stage anymore, sometimes all one has are one's memories. Well, of course that's where youtube (and to a lesser extent, photobucket) comes in. Typing in South Melbourne or Hellas brings up a huge array of videos from days of yore. The quality varies of course, but most stuff is perfectly clear. Myself and another bloke have uploaded a selection of clips that we received from the legendary South fan known as Banger, but there's something about the collection of videos uploaded by 'smscmaster' (also known as 4Flares and a Souvlaki) which is quite exemplary. There's training clips including an aussie rules scratch match, footage from the stands, a friendly against the then powerhouse Victorian club Port Melbourne... so much stuff, that it makes 4Flares my favourite South fan that I've never met. I hope the acquaintance will be made one day, but for now enjoy rifling though his collection, and try not get distracted by the non South stuff if you can.

http://www.youtube.com/user/smscmaster

Blues Give Blues The Blues - South Melbourne 6 Fawkner 2

Now, I already did a whole entry on this game, see? It had the title 'Downhill skiing in April'. But for some reason it's disappeared off the face of the earth. Nevertheless I will attempt to replicate and improve upon the original as best as memory allows, in a more succinct manner.

Players played in their correct positions! South scoring from 2, yes 2 corners! South still conceding goals like a sieve! Jimmy Armstrong making a Clarendon Corner cameo! Staccato renditions of Vamos al a Playa! Diaco scoring his first of the year and celebrating like he won a free cheeseburger! Pasi Schwalger in a ridiculous pink top! Yianni Galanos being replaced by John Butler! Heinous in-jokes! Lights being turned on for all of 5 minutes! References to the late 1980s cartoon series M.A.S.K.! There was something for everyone there, and if you missed it, well, South is still around for at least one more week, so come on down and support the team!


- and cut! that's a wrap. that was good. see everyone next week.
- you didn't think there were too many exclamation points?
- nah, she'll be right, and besides, the 10 people who read the damn thing probably didn't even notice it was missing in the first place.
- yeah, you're right
- anyways, we've done our job, wasn't out fault we had to do it twice over, and now we've got a nice break until Monday
- what you doing for the weekend?
- me? not much mate, probably just kicking back. how about you?
- going to see Eels on Saturday at the Palais.
- Eels? never heard of them.
- yeah, sort of an indie band from the US, I'm a big fan.
- right...

scene disintegrates into various banalities

Fernando going to Greece? Again?

Every now and again, someone puts up a crazy rumour on smfcboard. Most of the time these turn out to be crap. But regardless, here's one that has stirred up minor ripples on the forum. Dedicated fans may recall that during the 2006 season midfielder Fernando De Moraes, then in super hot form, went over to Greece to trial with then 1st Division club Egaleo. It didn't work out, he came back, kept up the good work and helped us win the title as well as nabbing himself the Jimmy Rooney medal for best on ground in the grand final.

After his unsuccesful stint in the A-League with the New Zealand Knights, and pretty average 2007 season, and now 28 years old, one would have thought that interest from overseas clubs would have been over by now, but enter apparently Ange Postecoglou and Panachaiki, according to someone not widely regarded as a reliable source, with Nando set to go to Greece to trial in about a months time. This would be after the AFC futsal championships - the squad of which one would think Nando would be a part of - but some people have questioned the veracity of the rumour, claiming to have had it confirmed that Nando is not going anywhere. We'll keep you posted on any developments, or the lack thereof.

Round the grounds

The Women's Seniors lost again, this time to Box Hill Inter 3-1, but according to South of the Border's on the spot reporters (thanks Josie and David) they more than held their own. South has played all four of the top four, and therefore one would think if they could take some of that form into games against the lower sides, they'll do alright. The Reserves are still struggling though, copping a 7-0 thrashing. There's no score on resultsvault to indicate what the under 21s did; rumour has it they were down 3-2 at one stage. And the under 18s boys, previously unbeaten, lost 3-2 to the Bulleen Lions. For once it was the Senior Men's team leading the way it seems.

Round 3, 2008 - Altona East 3 Ballarat Red Devils 1

East dominated the first half almost absolutely in both territory and possession. For the first 20 minutes the visitors struggled to even get out of their own half. Slowly played their way into the game after that, but the midfield failed to deliver anything remotely resembling decent supply. East's final balls let them down, there was a crossbar hit, but on the half hour mark Gaffar strolled in and finally gave East the lead they deserved. East scored again just before half time, Alghazaly getting that goal.

2nd half quite different. Ballarat came out with a higher level of intensity, East a little all over the place in midfield and defence, the attacks from the visitors looking more promising as the half wore on. They had a freekick well saved, and then received a penalty which was very well taken. Game on and both sides looking for the goal, with rushed end to end stuff ensuing, before late in the game Gaffar met a cross at the far post and headed over the keeper for 3-1 and the win.

Overall, this game was a bit of a wakeup call for both sides. For East, hopefully they've learnt that playing one half, even going up 2-0 is not enough, and that the game is 90 minutes long, not 45. For the Red Devils, that perhaps state 2 won't be a stroll in the park, and that against the league's better teams you better have your a-game right on from the start. By all rights they should have been out of the game at half time, but they ended up doing well in the 2nd half, and a draw would not have been a harsh result for both sides, but you always have the upper hand if you have the lead, which was a problem for East last year, often falling behind.

South of the Border Haiku edition no.3

This is a rather unsatisfactory piece in my honest opinion. It lacks genuine flow and lightness, rather being dragged down by a lack of rhythm. Anyway, following last week's almost ethereal poem, this is one is grounded in the very earth itself. Back when Middle Park was still around, my father, perhaps of his support for Heidelberg, would never park inside the adjacent parking lot; instead we'd park some distance away, and walk through the then quite neglected Albert Park. Eventually we'd reach the ground, a little oasis of life amidst the neglect.

When we left and moved further north, these cross-country journeys were over, and indeed, made impossible not just by the relocation but also the complete makeover the precinct received. Still though, if you happen to venture down by where the pit lane is, near where we used to live, the earth, perhaps because of the drought or perhaps because of some sort latent memory in the place itself, still has that sandy, uneven, and familiar quality. Many a South fan has made mention that however nice Lakeside is, it's not Middle Park; and that the club was forever changed tangibly and intangibly by the move; and I'd agree with that. It was home after all. Going back there now, even without signposts, I reckon I can still feel the presence of the past, and rather predictably, wonder what will come of the future for South.


over the wasteland
of gravel, grass and sand
Middle Park was home

Let's try this again - Round 9, South Melbourne vs Fawkner

Last week was fine, but last round's consideration of adjustment/motivational response game is gone. Done and dusted. The real stuff starts this week, again. Can we finally get this season started well and truly? We're a third of the way in now.

Also, sincere apologies for the drop in quality as evidenced in yesterday's piece, and over the past 2-3 weeks in general. Hopefully all South of the Border's troubles will be over soon.

Last time they met
Round 22, 2007, at Lakeside Stadium

South Melbourne 0 Fawkner 0

In a largely even and uninspiring contest, Fawkner managed to squeeze out a point under then new coach Vlado Vanis, and may have had a goal denied by the linesman adjudicating that a shot had not crossed the line. Otherwise, this was essentially a contest between one side intent on throwing away their finals aspirations, and one side trying desperately to survive relegation. Both ended up succeeding

Preview
Fawkner were just about everyone's pre-season relegation favourite even before it was realised that four and not two teams would be relegated. And yet, even though they're in the relegation zone, they're still fighting on, and even managed to take maximum points away to Heidelberg. So they're not necessarily the easybeats their position has them to be. But really, South should belt this mob. Their playing stocks are weak, they're scoring at less than a goal a game while conceding two, and it's about time our side, with it's many talented players finally clicked into gear and showed a signal of intent that they will not meekly acquiesce, but fight on, and play football in the traditional South Melbourne Hellas fashion, one of feverish, relentless attack. To say that's all we ask for is perhaps an indication that we've moved away from the win at all costs mentality of yesteryear; but these are strange times to be a South fan, and while the club must look to the past for inspiration and guidance, there is also another chapter that needs to be written in an unfamiliar new era. South by 2-3 goals.

FourFourTwo's recent South obession continues

South: 'We Must Evolve For A-League'

South is struggling at the wrong end of the Victorian Premier League after a stuttering start that saw coach John Anastasiadis – an NSL winner with the club as a player – depart Bob Jane Stadium two weeks ago following a 3-0 home loss to Green Gully.

Michalakopoulos, 38, was installed soon after but could not stop the slide as high-flying local rivals Melbourne Knights beat his outfit 2-0 last weekend at Somers St.

South Melbourne now sit third bottom on six points while the Knights sit atop the VPL with 18 points from eight rounds.

But Michalakopoulos, a former 1992 Olyroo, is still upbeat that his side can claw its way into the six. “I’m positive and excited by what I’ve seen so far,” he told au.fourfourtwo.com.

“It’s still early. We’ve got 18 rounds to go. But what I’d like to bring in to the side is a more free-flowing style.

“I like having two wide men aside of the striker almost as a three-man strike force.

“There is certainly enough talent in this squad to turn it around.”

The new South coach will get a chance to turn things around when second bottom Fawkner visit Bob Jane this weekend for a cellar-dwellar dog fight.

And Michalakopoulos is hoping his time as a player under legendary South coach – and Hungarian football icon Ferenc Puskas – will stand him in good stead.

“I was part of that golden era when we won the old NSL at South under Ferenc. That was back in 1991. I learnt a lot from the great man.”

As for the other hot topic bubbling around South Melbourne FC – the club’s stated desire to put an A-League bid together in three years – Michalakopoulos said the club needs a measured approach.

“Look, this is a big club," he said. "And we have a great junior set up. But an A-League bid needs to be done right.

"There is a good committee at the club and they are on the right track. But this needs a lot of work.

“We need to evolve as a club, however, still have some links with the current set up.

“Melbourne needs a second team. For South, perhaps an image change would work. We should be prepared to do what it takes.”


So M&M puts in his two bob. And the world keeps turning. Firstly, let's deal with the minor issue, the team's performance. Puskas is long gone, the mainstream didn't care when he was here, and his memory and the part you played in it and the things you learned aren't going to be of much use here. Because memories of the Galloping Major aren't going to make the team complete simple passes, shoot away from the keeper but into the goal, or make Deano stop flapping his arms and punching away high balls that he should easily catch. Sad but true. This isn't a go at Puskas' time here; indeed the fact that he was here at all is still treated as if it didn't happen or meant anything of importance by almost everyone in Australian soccer. Rather it should be noted that perhaps the most relevant advice for these difficult times can be found in the words of former Melbourne Croatia player Joe Biskic: 'Put ball in goal'. 'Nuff said.

As for the A-League stuff... now I don't know if M&M was put up to this by the board, or whether the people at FourFourTwo Magazine are that desperate for content during the Z-League's 23 month off-season that anything to sell a a few more copies of their rag, using the faint and distorted collective memory of South Melbourne Hellas as an important entity. Anyway, is there anything there that hasn't been regurgitated by the fifty-four stomach cow that is the Melbourne Victory forum, by those for, against and middle? Not that I can see. In fact, unless I see concrete evidence of anything, and I don't mean half-arsed press releases used to jazz up fading interest - which I used in a media writing class (to much amusement and astonishment) as part of an example of how effective baseless press-releases can stir up all sorts of unnecessary and unsolicited reactions - I mean actual, nuts, bolts, etc stuff.

Now I've heard rumours from reliable people of equally reliable people preparing a bid. Seen sketches of what 'our' logo may look like. But nothing made of bricks and mortar. Admittedly, Melbourne Victory had even less than what we have, mostly Geoff Lord lying about how much money he had, Tony Ising's fantasy (see the relevant entry on here for how that turned out), but when it comes to South, people reckon we've already had our chance, and with the addition of the faulty collective memory of our past, as well the blotting out of Geoff Lord trying to destroy Hawthorn... anyway, kinda lost my train of thought there.

Basically, M&M should focus on winning games, FourFourTwo should try harder to come up with articles, - perhaps trying to figure out why Puskas' time here gets ignored by everyone - and all those people spreading Z-League rumours, could you please stop? My life's depressing enough without this bullshit getting an airing every few months. Thanks.

Trapped around the heards

Players changing numbers? Allegedly, Gianni De Nittis and Nathan Caldwell have swapped numbers. Pointless exercise or a signal of intent by the coach? Is the curse of the number 9, famously worn by Trimmers for so many years, finally going to be over?

Players sweating at training? Apparently it's all the rage these days down at Lakeside. Make of that what you will.

Angry beavers? An undisclosed amount of --- ----- have apparently told the --- to stick their new ------ ------ up their arse unless their ---------- are ---, and the ------- seem to be we won't help you unless we ---- --- -----. Or something like that. See what happens when silly people tell you what essentially anyone could have guessed anyway, and I assume was no secret in the first place?

And where the fuck is South going to find the money for all these players they're wanting to sign? And will some people just grow the fuck up? Hopefully something more substantial tomorrow. No guarantees though.

Alleged future stars of the club doing quite well for the moment thank you very much

The men's team is in the relegation zone. The under 21s are scraping draws. The senior women are playing with heart, but just aren't getting the results, and the women's reserves are also having a tough time. But there is one mob down South Melbourne way kicking arse early on in their season. The under 18s have won both their matches so far, with scores of 4-1 and 4-0. Of course, whether they continue on this form is anyone's guess, let alone how many of them will make the step up to the under 21s and senior ranks, but at least something is going right on the field somewhere at this club. Intermittent updates throughout the season hopefully.

Correction re: Tosic's loan

I could have just gone back and edited it and acted as if nothing was wrong, but well, anyway. It was previously reported here that Mladen Tosic had gone on loan to Westgate. He has in fact gone to Kingston City. The error was made a sub-editor, who has been counselled.

Scotty Mac, coming back?

South of the Border has overheard, or even perhaps been told directly, that 2006 South championship player and current Oakleigh Cannons mercenary Scot MacNicol may be on his way back to Lakeside. Unhappy with the limited game time he's been getting, there's apparently an offer to come back during the midseason transfer window. Indeed the deal may already be done. I'd welcome him back to be honest, despite the obvious reservations one has about players who leave for certain reasons that certain people construe as being against the spirit of the game, even in a (semi) professional age. In 2006, he worked hard, scored some goals at crucial, and was obviously an important part of that team. And South certainly needs that kind of grunt man on the middle. We'll see if this comes true.

Meh - Melbourne Knights 2 South Melbourne 0

Coach needs time, defence needs overhaul, we need a central midfielder, need to take our chances, Deano's well passed it, Perry Mur should be shot, Knights fans shouldn't take themselves so seriously. We dominated play, they were as bad as us if not worse, yet they sit in the top three and we're going to get relegated if we don't turn it around. But I reckon we'll survive. Not much of a review I know, but when more or less the same things keep happening, there's not much point in being descriptive.

South of the Border Haiku Edition no.2

Technically the following isn't South related; but being a sports fan isn't just the experience of the game, or the remembrance of it, but also in the pilgrimage to the ground. Now that most major sporting clubs in this city play at centrally located venues, the journey is overlooked; next week's edition will deal with my route of reaching Middle Park, but for now, something from a more post-modern time.

I travel to Lakeside via tram, catching the 112 from the corner of Collins and Spencer streets. The inspiration for this week's haiku came before last week's match, while waiting for said tram to come. It was the day after daylight savings ended, and therefore 3pm was all of a sudden 2pm. The sun was hidden behind some buildings, but somehow standing apart from the sunlit and shadowy areas at ground level, the tram stop itself was bathed in this eerie pale blue light. The poem deals with the notions of light as fluid, change and fluidity, nature vs structure.


autumn, Collins Street;
Light curled around skyscrapers
bathes the ground in blue

Yay, more meaningless accolades

Pumpkin Seed Eaters aren't the only ones with cheap labour... one of South of the Border's own worker chimps (ok I read it off smfcboard) has alerted everyone that FourFourTwo Magazine has done anther of those lists, er, listing the best players outside the A-League. Apparently in this 'top ten' list, South's Hamlet Armenian is the only Victorian based players in there that isn't playing for the AIS, and one of the few not playing in New South Wales. Not sure how they've figured that stuff out, but anyway, good on him. I'd rather three points this week though. And can we have the NSL back already? It was the VPL with the illusion that it all mattered somehow. I guess I just wasn't made for these times.

New coach, same players, same performance, or different? - Round 8, Melbourne Knights vs South Melbourne

Last time they met
Round 21, 2007, at Knights Stadium

Melbourne Knights 0 South Melbourne 2

In a tight and tense struggle, South rode its fair share of luck, including the Knights' Mate Dugandzic missing from point blank range, to register a gritty but ultimately well deserved 2-0 win. Goals from Billy Natsioulas and Nathan Caldwell within 5 minutes of each other sunk the home sides hopes, and saw Hellas win once again on its old rivals turf.

Preview
Croatia doing alright. Hellas not doing too good. But Croatia not have good record against Hellas. Hellas have good record against Croatia, and good record at Croatia ground. Not lose game there since start of stupid, pointless, VPL journey, including semi-final against Altona Magic in 2006. Will new coach make difference for Hellas? Maybe yes, maybe not. Only one way to find out, go play game and see. Everyone should support Hellas in this big game. Not go watch Blues and Magpies. Watch Hellas beat farken Croatia, like always (except for that stupid time in the mid 1990s when they had that wretchedly and awfully talented team). Forget the piponi for one day, come watch the soccer. Hellas new coach, he fix team. Has stupid texta on his face, under his mouth, but that is the modern style. I think silly, but no matter, if he get results, is enough. South win 4-1 or 4-0, you see. I tell you now, Hellas start playing good soccer from here, win cup, you see.

Pumpkin Seed Eaters episode 5

Episode 5 now out. Petty milestone, really. Ah, I remember the 5th entry on here. Anyway, it includes a fairly silly telephone call to the FFV, a rather unfunny bit with Archie Thompson, an unnecessary and poorly researched swipe at Gamba Osaka - not named after 'some car company', but rather a clever combination of the Italian word for 'leg' and the Japanese phrase meaning 'stand firm' or 'do your best '- a very interesting Poulimeno of the Week, and bonus! a segment dealing with feedback from the Victory forum to their 'ethnic cleansing' editorial from the previous edition, provided by research monkeys working for less than minimum wage in their offices.

Recipe for a lazy autumn day - or how to get everyone else to do your work for you, and lift your sales a bit in these hard times for the print media

It's a lazy autumn day, the sun shining through the kitchen window heats up the whole room, and you really can't be bothered doing anything of importance. So here's a wonderfully self-indulgent recipe perfect for the occasion.

* Start off with about two months worth of off-season boredom. Adding more gives it a stronger flavour.

* Add 1 cup bored Sydney soccer journos gracing us Mexicans with their presence. Currently in season, so make the most of it.

* Combine with 1 cup of reactionary response from vested interest; disguise the taste of fear with essence of 'in the game's interest'. This product is now widely available in supermarkets and from the AFL.

* Add about 10 pages worth of assorted hysterical ramblings off the Victory forum. Bought separately, these come in racist, fascist, hypocrite, noob and other varieties, but I find that mixing them all together creates the best results, and you can buy them in mixed preparations now.

* Add 2 heaped tablespoons of 'South Melbourne Hellas dreams'.

* Mix it all together, and it's ready to digest. As an optional extra, serve with the comments from FourFourTwo's forums. A warning though, that first time users may feel a little nauseous and/or overwhelmed at first, while prolonged and frequent use can cause depression and boredom. This is strictly a sometimes treat!

Michalakopoulos takes reins

As widely predicted, South has turned to former striker and Australian soccer journeyman Michael Michalakopoulos to take over from John Anastasiadis who resigned earlier today. Strong information circulated last year that Michalakopoulos was almost certain to take the reins at the end of last season, only for the board to give Johnny A' the benefit of the doubt. As well as being a former striker for Hellas in the early 90s, Michalakopoulos also spent stints at various clubs, including Heidelberg, where he scored a brace in their last away win against South a long time ago.

As a coach he's had stints at clubs including Whittlesea Zebras and Essendon Royals, leaving both under seemingly less than cordial circumstances. At first he'll have to deal with the squad he's been handed, but come the transfer window, he'll be able to start moulding his vision of the team. That may well mean the departure of certain players, perhaps even popular players, and the arrival of players rumoured to be wanting to come over now that the coaching change has been made. Anyway, for those not familiar with M&M, here's some footage from the early 90s to bring you up to speed.

Against Preston



Scores the 2nd goal against Olympic



against PAOK

Anastasiadis, Gabrielson, resign - search for new coach begins

Finally, after last year's end of season dithering (strong rumours circulated that a coach had been lined up, but that the board was divided), and the awful start to this year, Johnny A's out the door. It was, to be brutally honest, inevitable. The team was on a downward spiral from the middle of last year, and apart from glimpses of their ability, the trend has continued into 2008. Rumours of player divisions; the anger of the fans; the poor results; few can withstand all three together. Some would stick it out, but seemingly for the betterment of the club, John's fallen on his sword.

Before becoming coach in 2005, Anastasiadis was already a South legend, after being a key component of the great Hellas sides of the late 1990s, scoring in both grand final wins against Carlton and Sydney United, as well as in the 2001 losing side against Wollongong Wolves. And of course, as the first Australian to score in the World Club Championships, against Necaxa, he sealed his reputation as big game player.

After his retirement, he coached Yarraville Glory for two seasons.,The first as player coach saw them get relegated, but in his second season as non-playing coach he saw them clinch the State League Division North-West 3 title and subsequent promotion. When South was in its hour of need in 2005, Johnny A' put his hand up when few else would. Starting with a squad of only 3, just weeks before the season, and with relegation widely tipped, John managed to steer his squad of veterans and no-names to 3rd place, and within a penalty kick of the grand final.

In 2006, Anastasidis claimed his greatest triumph, clinching the championship, South's first in all competitions in 6 years (the Oceania Club Champions being the previous title), as well as the pre-season cup against Fawkner-Whittlesea with a very young squad. Playing the sort of attacking football that South has always played, it was an enormous achievement, perhaps the most heartfelt win in the club's history. In 2007, a win in the Hellenic Cup final over Oakleigh, and with seemingly a much improved squad to work with, the results and consistency just never came. The 2nd half of the season typified the mess the team had got itself in, playing brilliant and at times gritty football to beat Oakleigh and the Melbourne Knights, but in general struggling to score goals, failing to score in 10 of the last 13 games. With the 2008 season not starting any better, the Preston win could have been the turning point. In the end, it was the exception not the rule, and the Gully game was the deal breaker. So ended one of the longest coaching stints at this club, and when put in perspective, one of its most successful.

South of the Border wishes both men all the best in their future endeavours, and thanks them for their long service to the club. While there has been a lot of argle-bargle, it should also be remembered that, apart from Ian Dobson, who took time off for family reasons in 2006, Anastasiadis has been the only coach who has remained at the same club and uninterrupted from the post-NSL era. Considering that in 2006 alone about 10 clubs changed managers, that is phenomenal longevity. As to who will replace him, that's a story for another day. For now, let us remember the good times.

I prefer building snowmen myself - South vs Gully up on GGVision

Download and play the video of our latest game, courtesy of the Green Gully site. Shame we don't have our own video service, but maybe someday.

Green Gully's GGVision highlights of Sunday's game

South of the Border, your no. 1 choice for South related news

Two prime cuts of news meat for you to sample on from the weekend, which you probably won't hear anywhere else.

Firstly, young and often unfairly derided goalkeeper Mladen Tosic has been loaned out to Westgate Sindjelic in State League 1, where he'll get more senior game time as well as being away from the bright lights of the VPL. Westgate didn't get off to a great start on the weekend though, copping a 4-1 thrashing at the hands of Kingston City. Anyway, good luck to the lad.

Secondly, apparently Japanese side Gamba Osaka will be training on Lakeside today or this evening in preparation for their Asian Champions League match on Wednesday. While watching the under 21s meekly succumb 1-0 to Green Gully, three Japanese (or at least very fluent Japanese speakers) took up a position alongside the fence next to me. After making my inquiries, found out one was a team official of Gamba Osaka, and that they would be training there. So good on the board for getting that done. Conversation also went towards my thoughts on the Victory, NSL/A-League history, asking me if I would be at the game (which included a rather meek attempt to wrestle a free ticket out of them), and so forth. Nice people. Told them to kill the Victory. I think they appreciated the sentiment.

Sometimes, the world is black... - South Melbourne 0 Green Gully 3

Circle complete, everyone can go home now

While South is and always will be number one, I do enjoy heading down to the Paisley Park Soccer Complex every second week or so to watch my most local team Altona East take the field. At one stage I was going to pad out certain Saturdays with Altona East writeups, but this is a South blog, and thus it will remain. Anyway, good win for East today over local rival Altona City, with a healthy scoreline of 5-0. What has this got to do with South? Well former South youth team player Lester Abalos made a great debut for his new team today at right back. For those very few who were right there at the beginning, you'd perhaps remember that Lester was the catalyst for this blog starting up all the way back in December 2007. Don't believe me? Well then take a trip down memory lane via this link and see for yourself

Zeus induces Chronos to vomit up his children

Still haven't got myself a logo yet :p

Round 1, 2008 - Altona East 5 Altona City 0

East came out firing in the opening 10 minutes, with only some great goalkeeping denying them, before one of the worst goals you'll ever see, from both a defensive and attacking point of view, ball sort of knocked around aimlessly and toe poked in eventually. City worked their way into the game after that, but didn't really create too many quality chances, though there was one chance, a shot over the bar, which should have levelled the scores. East scored again on about the half-hour mark, ref could have given the penalty against the keeper but played the advantage instead, and it was 2-0. Penalty late in the half against the City keeper had him sent off, 3-0, game just about done and dusted. Not sure if it was a penalty, too many bodies in the way for me to see.

2nd half, City fought and scrambled in defence and occasionally got some decent moves on the counter, but on the whole East on top again, had quite a few chances go begging, some really bad misses, but also a cracking long range shot which smashed against the post. East got the 4th and fifth goals in the last 5 minutes or so, Bobby with a hattrick, Tolli and Gaffar scoring the others. Apart from the penalty/send off, which as I said I'm not sure of the correctness of, I thought the ref was fantastic.

East looked good, when they were 'on' (the game lost much of its sting in the 2nd half) they looked comfortable working as a unit, and former South player Lester Abalos played very well, will be a great addition if he keeps up that kind of play. No Freddy Pedrotti or Zoric today either. City disappointed me today, they seemed startled by how East came out all fired up, but on the whole there seemed to be a general lack of direction on their part, but I reckon it was just an off day for them, and falling behind so early and then having 10 men for 45 minutes doesn't help either. Not sure who if anyone was missing for City today, but I reckon they'll bounce back.

Reserves game was a little farcical, East having only 11 players to start (coach refusing to play 3 or so unregistered players, and rightly so of course), and lost one of those 11 to injury 5 minutes in. Finished 3-0 to City, but in all honesty, based only on the 2nd half i saw, this was a really high standard game for state 2 ressies, there was a lot of neat passing from both sides, and lovely movement off the ball and on it.

I suppose some of the City people like Roger can come and give the story from the other side of this game, be interested to see their point of view.

South of the Border Haiku Edition no.1

This blog needs more culture. And no, not World Game Forum Crayshan style 'kulcha', but more ivory tower, completely up yerself, yes I am better than you because I write faggy poetry culture. And how much more ivory tower and pretentious can you get than haiku? Anyway, I had several South Melbourne related haiku published late last year in the venerable Seed Magazine, albeit not exactly with the title I asked for and presented as if it was just one regular poem rather than seven separate haiku.

For those not familiar with the form, haiku are Japanese poems with 17 'on' (meaning 'sounds' but often erroneously called syllables in English), essentially seperated into three lines, in a 5,7,5 form. Traditionally haiku is a rigid form, very serious, and with the poem requiring a so called 'season' word. Me, I like free-form haiku (not so much worrying about syllables) and haiku's non-serious relation 'senryū', which deals with human concerns rather than with nature. So here is an example of one I did last year and had published, and I'll try and make this a weekly segment wherein I publish one every Saturday. Once again, contributions are most welcome, with a short explanation or background piece highly encouraged, but not necessary.

As noted earlier, the first haiku in this series was written last year. Thematically, it is closely related to most of the other South haiku I had written around that time, pondering the obvious decay our great club had and has seemingly found itself in, on and off field, generally drawing on some aspect of the 'life force'. But this one seemed to stand out to me, particularly in its depiction of blood, the portrayal of the physicality of the life force itself, rather than the more symbolic allusions in some of the others.


mangled hearts bleed blue;
dreams of a happier time
are no elixir

Two victories for the price of one

Ok, so you missed the Victorian Football Show on Wednesday night for whatever reason (probably watching Spicks 'n' Specks. You make me sick.). And you're thinking that you didn't miss much, because you got the gist of the Ross Alatsas slight against South fans from me, and you've rationalised that you can always download the Green Gully - Coburg United highlights off the Green Gully site. Well then you probably don't know that the South Women's first round victory was the opening game on the highlights package. So watch it for that. Wonder how Spiranovic wasn't given the penalty to take to complete her hat-trick. Marvel at how John Vithoulkas is allowed anywhere near a microphone. Then settle down by watching the Box Hill and Heidelberg women's game. And then, finally, with a mug of warm cocoa, watch the Men's big win over Preston. Revel in how awful the surface at BT Connor looks. Be amazed at how the self-professed 'best supported club in the state' can only muster 2,300 fans to the biggest day in these miserable people's lives. Keep playing over and over Ross Alatsas' 'all fans let in' slip up until you work yourself into a Killing Joke style frenzy of persistent drums, cascading guitar lines, and a bass sound that's not very powerful because the mix is far too thin. Then pray to your chosen invisible friend (mine's the goddess Fortuna) that we play a shitload better than that this week because playing like that week in week out isn't going to get us too far.

Channel 31. Click on the FFV bit of the watch it now or whatever they call it. You're smart, you know how to do these things.

Purple Monkey Dishwasher - Round 7, South Melbourne vs Green Gully

Now that we have your attention, we can move on from the adrenaline soaked heroics of last week's match, get back to reality and see if South can make it two in a row, and get some real momentum going forward into the early middle part of the season.


Last time they met
Round 19, 2007, at Green Gully Reserve

Green Gully 0 South Melbourne 0

A fairly even game, in which South worked themselves back in after being on the back foot for awhile. Good goalkeeping and poor finishing combined to see the game end scoreless. This was the fourth consecutive game in which South had failed to score, which typified the 2nd half of the 2007 season.

Preview
Green Gully are hardly playing inspiring football from the footage I've seen, but they keep getting the points, which is what counts. Despite being earmarked as a struggler this year, their only loss so far has been to the rampant Richmond, and that was all the way back in round 1. Certain folks on certain forums have been critical of the lack of youth and goalscoring ability in this team, perhaps best exemplified in the continuance of talented young striker Matthew Sanders being overlooked for starting 11 duties, but on the flipside, they appear to have a fairly miserly defense to compensate. And with one of Australian football's best coaches in Ian Dobson still at the helm, Gully should never be written off.

For South, last week's win just may be the impetus which sets up the rest of their season. Coming from behind, against a bitter foe on their own turf, and with a reshuffled 2nd half line up which included Shane Nunes playing in defensive midfield, there's an opportunity here to at last settle on the line up that will take South on a journey up the table and nearer the finals spots instead of hovering far too close to the relegation zone. South also has a rather mixed record against Gully in recent times; in eight matches between the two, South has only scored in two of those, the 3-0 win home win in 2006, and the later in the year in the elimination final at the same venue, by the same scoreline. Back then it had seemed that perhaps South had thrown some kind of monkey off its back, after having failed to score in all three of their contests in 2005, only to get that monkey straight back on in 2007 with two uninspiring performances against Gully. I can see South winning this, but equally a side that can grind out results like Gully can should not be underestimated, and therefore South will do well to get a draw. But here's hoping.

Ross Alatsas, I reject your reality and substitute my own

Ok, so I'm watching the Victorian Football Show on Channel 31 for the first time since we beat Western Suburbs - I don't watch replays of any sporting team I follow if they lose or draw (which is not being fickle, but rather shows my dedication in that I can't stomach non-victories) - and was slightly miffed at host Ross Alatsas' little intro comment that 'wasn't it great that the doors were open to all supporters for this game'. Now maybe Ross lives in a little media pass bubble, maybe his glamorous managership job at Stars Receptions has clouded his judgment, or maybe he just wasn't there, didn't know, or no one told him, but if he likes we could go together to BT Connor Reserve (or as it also known, Lions 'Stadium' snigger), and I could show him the view about 40 of us had after we weren't let in, because Preston said they couldn't guarantee our safety. Then again, maybe we weren't let in because of our giant swastika banners (which looked oddly like our regular South Melbourne banners), our rocket flares (which when released appeared to the untrained eye as multi-coloured streamers), and off key singing of songs from the classic musical The King and I (which were so off-key, they came out sounding like our regular South chants). Or maybe we were let in, and since the game was so boring, we all had a simultaneous hallucination of being discriminated against because we were all far too good looking and would intimidate all those 1980s tracksuit wearing Preston fans. What do you think Ross?

Can you help? George Campbell

I have recently received an email from the son of former South forward George Campbell asking for some help. He would like to know if there is anyone out there who has footage of his dad playing for South (1978-82), Preston (1983-84) or Green Gully (1985-86). Any help would be greatly appreciated.

In the interests of freedom and plurality

My less tolerant side says not to give right-wing pricks any sustenance. But there's two problems with that. Unlike them I genuinely love freedom; and I've already given enough plugs and valuable oxygen in the way of criticism to those who eat pumpkin seeds, so really, it'd be a double standard of sorts. And I don't usually go in for that kind of thing. Besides, having being listening to Fantomas also means that I'm a state of confusion which will almost certainly lead to make a bad decision. I saw Fantomas once back in 2003 at the sadly departed Palace. Man, they were good, though I never could understand how someone could mosh to scattergun jazz-metal. Tomahawk were better though, bloody scary good. Maybe you were there? Or perhaps you attended on the other night they played? If so you'd know what I mean. So anyway, there's a new South Melbourne Hellas forum. It promises to be more democratic than smfcboard, which I suppose wouldn't be hard. But by virtue of the fact that it's also being run by and for predominantly people of a right wing Greek nationalist persuasion (from moderates to extremists), it'll be interesting to see how truly democratic and open it can be. As well as in the long run watching how much of it has to do with South at all. Already plenty of the videos posted there are of the Hellas Fan Club rather than South. And who exactly is running it? My guess has it narrowed down to probably 1-2 people who would make the effort, not taking into account the possibility of it being a non-South supporters prank. And what are their rules? Will they be really strict? How much leeway will there be for people whose opinions they dislike? Policy on opposition fans? How much will they clamp down on libelous statements? How will they deal with the smfcboard gimmicks, who may see an opportunity to cause havoc? Also, am I on there? If not will I be on there? Would I post? How long before their open house dream starts falling apart? Will it even get to the stage where heaps of people will sign up? Time will tell how successful they are I suppose. Link on the right hand side.

While searching through my archives...

...for a particular edition of Mad Magazine, I happened upon the sports section of the Herald Sun the day after we won the 1999 title. One day I'll scan the photos and articles, but for today here's snippet from the scores lists. Ah for the days when we were winning national titles and Heidelberg were two divisions below us.


Also check out the AIS goalscorers. Good to see someone made it out of that era in better shape, and on to bigger and better things

Answer to yesterday's question

No, Johnny A' hasn't walked. What he did do, according to reliable sources, is hand over the reigns for the 2nd half to his assistant John Gabrielson. Johhny A' walked in at half time, said 'that was shit', told Billy Nats and Hamlet to get off, Caldwell and Zoric to go on, and left it up to the players. As far as crazy out there tactics go, it worked. Now for the rest of the season.