Everything fell into place for South Melbourne Hellas, the Dockerty Cup champions. They won against A-League Wellington Phenix on Saturday and became Premiers for 2024. Andrew Mesourouni, recently retired football director, said, “It’s always essential for a club like South to win Trophies. It’s in our DNA.
“Where it hurts most is when we don’t deliver silverware. We have been competing at the top for the past few years, but this year, it feels different. It feels right.” Mesourouni, cautious, said it was “One step at a time”.
“A week ago, we were competing for trophies; we had two at that time, so the grand final must be our next goal, and things must be put right.
“Then the big one will be the first NPL club to win the Australia Cup – for South to win another national trophy. ”
Michael Tsoukalis, a long-time supporter and SMFC social media influencer, said, “This is arguably the best week at South Melbourne Football Club in a very long time.”
“Dockerty Cup winners, in the final 16 in the Australia Cup three days later against a full-time professional franchise [Wellington Phoenix] in a match South controlled, and now wrapping up the league with a week to go.
Hellas chair, Bill Papastergiadis talking to Neos Kosmos said, “Football transcends our daily lives and brings us closer to a dream state where one feels anything is possible”.
“A week where we dared to dream, and our players and coaches brought ultimate satisfaction to the tribe of South support.
“We are proud of their achievements and thank Esteban [Quintas] – our coach, for his dogmatic approach. ”
“Third success augurs well for the National Second Tier, which is slated for 2025 as aspirational clubs like South Melbourne and fans throughout Australia are desperate for renewed competition. “Football Australia must allow these clubs to grow and prosper and allow them to dream big.”
SMFC’s former director, Tom Kalas, the architect of the National Second Tier, congratulated SMFC, “Congratulations Bill to the players, coaching staff and board. Great way to prepare for the new National League.”
SMFC president, Nick Maikousis, was laconic in his assessment, “Two trophies down, two more to go.”
Given the recent successes of NPL clubs in games against A-League 12 franchises, there will be some serious thinking about the 1000 clubs that make up the NPL.
