The news broke on the SMFC website last Wednesday afternoon with the big announcement South fans had been hearing rumours might eventuate when head coach Peter Tsolakis moved over from Northcote City, “Trent Rixon signs for South.”
Speaking to smfc.com.au, SMFC President Leo Athanasakis said “we are excited to land a marquee signing such as Trent Rixon. We hope that he will link up well with his new teammates and continue his terrific goal scoring form”.
Rixon is the most significant signing at South Melbourne since its inception back into the Victorian Premier League and the fans know very well his capabilities after seeing him score so many times against their team in the last two seasons. Rixon arrives at South with big expectations on him following an excellent career at Northcote City. His many goals helped Northcote win double-promotion in consecutive seasons, progressing from State League Division 2 in 2008 to the Victorian Premier League in 2010.
In Northcote’s first season back in the VPL, Rixon further enhanced his own reputation and that of Northcote’s by scoring 19 goals in the VPL to win the Golden Boot award, as well as helping Northcote reach the finals series in what was an incredible achievement for Iraklis in their 50th year. Although Northcote just missed the finals by a solitary point in 2011, they compensated by winning the Mirabella Cup and it was Rixon as captain that held aloft the Cup at AAMI Park on Saturday 10 September.
The move weighed heavily on Rixon’s mind after six long loyal seasons at Iraklis but after serious discussion with his family, friends and famous uncle (former Australian and NSW wicketkeeper Steve Rixon) the big striker decided it was time to move on to a bigger challenge and help South Melbourne reclaim the mantle on the pitch as the biggest club outside the A League. His last game for Northcote City was the Mirabella Cup final where he led the team to victory, their first major trophy in their history, giving Rixon the feeling of satisfaction that he had achieved all he could after two promotions. What does Rixon bring to South? Goals, clinical finishing, physical presence as a true target man, a winning attitude, leadership and a great dressing room character are all attributes head coach Tsolakis knew he would bring to the club.
The pair has worked together for many years and the trust and loyalty earned after many campaigns together in battle has ensured the relationship is to continue at South Melbourne. Rixon said of his coach Tsolakis, “I have known ‘Gus’ for six years since I came to Northcote and he is a great coach, he communicates well and off the park he is a gentleman, a great bloke.”
“I am an ambitious person and at the start of every season I sit down and set goals, both personal and as a team perspective, too, and I am crossing over here to win something; I am not coming over here to make up the numbers. I look forward to working with players like Fernando De Moraes and Marinos Gasparis, both good players and good blokes,” he said, further explaining the reason for his move, He also sends a message to South fans: “It’s going to be a bit different this year as they wont be yelling at me which is a good start. Me personally, I play for the fans, for the people off the field and hopefully I can score a few goals and celebrate with the South fans and not against them.”
South enter the new season back home into the 60 million dollar revamped Lakeside Stadium and have complemented the Rixon signing with other notable inclusions such as mid fielder and Gold medal winner Jason Trifiro and brother Glen, former Adelaide United left back Bradley Norton, Central defender Luke Byles and former South player Joseph Keenan coming back after a year out with a broken leg suffered at Adelaide United in the A League. The team will have its first run on 11 December when it gets the chance to launch the stadium against NSW champions Sydney Olympic in an exhibition match.
Neos Kosmos wishes Trent Rixon well at his new home and hopes the South army come out in force and support the star striker and his new teammates in 2012.