In the latest preview of the FFA Cup round of 32 fixtures, I take a look at the Victorian bracket and a historic Australian club from the past, South Melbourne FC.
The club was founded in 1959 by Greek migrants and has had a very loyal, passionate supporter base ever since.
South Melbourne have too many trophies in the cabinet to list, but a small sampling from their cache includes the NPL ten times, NSL twice and Dockerty Cup eight times as well as playing in the FIFA Club World Cup.
Besides how successful the club has been from a trophies point of view, individually they have contributed many coaches and players to the NSL, A-League and various national teams over the decades.
Hellas play out of one of the best grounds in Australia, Lakeside Stadium.
Lakeside has been renamed, redeveloped and had multiple tenants over the years. But it is synonymous with South Melbourne FC these days.
(Gene Sweeney Jr/Getty Images)
With the current A-League champions coming to visit, a 10,000-plus crowd would not be out of the question. It would also be another feather in the bow of a club that forever has been linked to the national second division.
In terms of the current NPL VIC season, South Melbourne has the second-best defence in the league so far, conceding only a measly 18 goals in 18 matches. By comparison the team leading the league, Avondale, has let in 15 goals.
It is at the other end of the pitch that Hellas are struggling though, having scored only 19 goals, which puts them at number three in lowest goals scored in the league.
They are still comfortably clear of the relegation zone at this stage, but their form will have even the most passionate fan uncomfortable. South Melbourne have won only one game out the last nine they have played in the VIC NPL.
The top scorer has only got four goals so far this campaign, but it’s a name that fans should recognise: Harrison Sawyer.
Sawyer is an absolute man mountain at six foot five, his build is more akin to a basketballer than a footballer, however his deft touch and hold-up play make him the ideal target man.
At 24 years of age Sawyer has already got two A-League clubs as well as experience in the Hong Kong and Philippines leagues on his lengthy resume of clubs he’s played for.
Melbourne City’s centre backs will be in for a bruising encounter from this giant, who has regularly used his size throughout his career to gain an advantage. It will also be a good test for Sawyer, who still believes he is good enough to play at a higher level.
At the other end of the pitch is another towering player who has contributed four goals, centre back Marco Jankovic.
Jankovic has been a mainstay at NPL level for the past few seasons and is a player that several A-League clubs have watched closely over the years.
He has also had to deal with self-doubt and the pressure of coming from football royalty. His dad Milan played for Red Star Belgrade and Real Madrid.
With time running out now for the recently turned 26-year-old, a solid showing against Melbourne City will once again have his name with a question mark next to it on many A-League recruiters’ lists.
Daniel Clark is another player to keep an eye on – the combative midfielder is able to create chances as well as assists and has chipped in with three goals this season.
This clash will pit Australia’s most successful club side against an A-League team that is building a dynasty.
South Melbourne will be no push-overs and with a large parochial crowd screaming out ‘Hellas’ throughout the match, Melbourne City could be in for a rough night if they don’t take this clash seriously.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Worst run major club in the NSL. In terms of producing players they would be last on the list. Financially poor compared to their crowd size and people always wondering where the money went, especially the world club cup money. Their grounds payed for by the government and they also got government payouts over the grand prix and Collingwood.
jbinnie
Guest
Towser - Let me refresh your memory. Back in 1977 when the NSL was first envisaged, it was to cost $15,000 to enter. So you full appreciate what $15,000 meant in those days there was only one club in Queensland, out of 12 top division clubs. who put their hand up and that was Brisbane Lions, who, even in those days, OWNED their own ground freehold and also real estate that returned them a weekly income from outside football. Yes, that's how tight money was in football. We then move to 2004 when the NSL was in danger of being declared bankrupt and the national Government was asked to step in to save the image of the sport. The man chosen to do this was Frank Lowy ,a self made business man, with many contacts throughout the business world. His idea was to take a huge leap forward and start a full time professional league which would become the tip of the football pyramid. So the A-League was born. Cost to purchase a licence,$50,000, and to be quite frank there were very few exiting NSL clubs with that kind of disposable income. Just think for a moment and scan the teams who have played in the A-League comp since it's inception. Now were not just talking about $50,000,that is only a start, with players (23) having to be contracted, coaches and administrators having to be employed full time (another 20), you have to start and appreciate with costs like that, before a ball was kicked, how your possible "carry overs"' from the decimated NSL were in no position to join this elite group. To the best of my knowledge there has been an open offer to potential licencees for some years now which appears to raise a high degree of interest from all around, according to the media, but which ,after consultation, just as quickly disappear from the scene. So forget Apia, South Melbourne, Sydney Olympic, both Adelaide Identities, Brisbane City and Strikers, Marconi, numerous Canberra identities, Western Suburbs, St George, both sets of Knights, Fitzroy and Carlton, some of these teams are still in existence but in a 26 year history failed to generate the income, and/or interest to manage entry to the A-League. So why don't we concentrate on improving the "Pyramid" as it was envisaged and leave the funding of A-League clubs to men who understand the difficulties in running a professional league. Cheers jb.
Tasos Zafiropoulos
Guest
Wondering how many fans an A-League club would have left if they were stuck in the NPL for 16 years after headlining the national comp? I'd say none - cause the club would cease to exist!
Winter A League is Awesome
Roar Rookie
Yeah and adding some to the articles. These must get edited overseas to keep the costs down.
Blood Dragon
Roar Rookie
If we cut NSW/NNSW/ACT out that takes the competition down to 24 either we add from other states/A-League teams in the R32 Playoffs or we give some teams byes into the R16
Blood Dragon
Roar Rookie
Gold Coast would be good lots of Kiwis down there and CBUS is a nice Stadium
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
South Melbournes history and contributions to the game in australian football cannot be argued with. if any perspective club has the funds required to make it in the national second division, they should be allowed in regardless of ethnicity. the club has every reason to feel the way they do, it's no different to all the other european backed NPL teams; is what they're saying so far from the truth? its not. the a league has lost a generation of supporters due to this, the only way you get those supporters back is via the national second division when it happens.
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
renos are happening currently, changerooms are being done as we speak - its possible lol
NoMates
Roar Rookie
Wellington to play out of Coopers? :football: :football:
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
sounds good to me lol. replace all the nsw teams with other ones from the different states :)
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
i expect the mods to pick up spelling errors or factual mistakes, seems like they have been letting a lot slip through recently lol
josh
Guest
I think the A League will be just fine, the second this relic gets near the A League all we're going to hear are stories about how they're a 'real club' playing against 'franchises'. The FFA should fine any club 5k if their fans pull that stunt, usually happens once every FFA Cup anyway.
Blood Dragon
Roar Rookie
The FA will likely try to keep the cup going to meet it's obligations to ViacomCBS, way its going I think the Rest of Australia will cut itself off from NSW and that NPL NSW, NNSW and ACT (Cooma Tigers is from NSW) will have to withdraw this year
Blood Dragon
Roar Rookie
I think that's optimistic I think it will be 5K at best only because its A-League opposition
Blood Dragon
Roar Rookie
Victoria's Issue is the lack of Suitable Stadia, AAMI is the only Rectangular Stadium that could host A-League matches in the Entire State ATM
Tasos Zafiropoulos
Guest
Correction - SMFC won 4 NSL titles - 84 / 91 / 98 / 99 Great article BTW
Towser
Guest
I saw what I saw Rodger at the time and stand by it , based on my football upbringing. Intelligence has zilch to do with emotion. You also completely misinterpreted what I wrote, in fact I agree with much of what you say, regarding the current football environment and not looking back.
Rodger King
Roar Rookie
Towser, I can't believe an intelligent person would of written such a response to the article. None of the NSL clubs should of been included in the A League and if I have my way, they won't be allowed to gain promotion unless they front up the 'cash' in advance to be in the NSD. You guys who look back at the history of the game, see selected visions of what you believed was a great set up. What a load of BS. The NSL clubs have no 'rights' to gain automatic entry into the NSD and I wish everyone would just stop sprouting such at every opportunity. Due Diligence must be done. Only the strong, financially sound clubs must get past the first phase of selection. I'm not talking about the 1 or 2 thousand dollars they threw into the pot to show interest in the NSD but genuine audited books for the past 5 years should be produced, audited by reputable auditors not their mates on the board. Only then should the FA and the AAFC look at other criteria. Yes lets have a NSD, let it be made up of 12 or 14 clubs from all around the country, but just because you had a run in the NSL shouldn't guarantee you a spot. So stop looking back and start looking forward.
NoMates
Roar Rookie
NSW NPL has been cancelled, There wont be any FFA Cup games going on for sure now. https://footballnsw.com.au/2021/08/12/football-nsw-cancels-2021-national-premier-leagues-season/
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
thats 200 fans that dont attend a league games though..........