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.