There have been some major changes in coaching and playing personnel at South Springvale since last season. The abrupt departure of former coach Bill Lambropoulos at the end of last season left the club in search of a new coach. But they didn’t have far to look, because right under their noses on their playing roster was experienced defender Aris Drakos, who along with brother Stelios, has taken up the reins.

They’ve assembled a squad they believe will maintain the standards of the last few seasons under former coach Lambropoulos and assistant Con Tangalakis.

While the club hasn’t won league honours for several years, it’s consistently been in the top half of the table, finishing third last season. But it’s been in the FFA cup competition where Souths has made its mark, qualifying for the round of 32 in 2014 after finishing a narrow runner-up in the Dockerty Cup final to Melbourne Knights.

A number of stalwarts remain from that remarkable year including central defenders Ari Drakos, Nassim Courail, holding midfielder Sotirios Dimitrakopoulos, playmaker Kon Daskalakis and striker Dean Panagopoulos.

Also, the reserve keeper from the squad of 2014, Jordan Gifkins, returns to take up the first choice keeper’s spot this season after a year away from the club at Northcote. Gifkins played a memorable part in that 2014 campaign, when as an 18-year-old, he scored the winning goal in a cup semi penalty shoot-out to send Souths into the Dockerty Cup final.

The Drakos brothers have injected fresh blood into the squad, recruiting promising 19-year-old midfielder Marcelo Arapis, who was briefly on the books at State 3 club Ashburton last season. Greek visa player Nick Galas has been a late but welcome addition in the pre-season.

“He’s played first division football in Greece. He’ll be very important for us this year,” coach Drakos says of the versatile attacking player. “Give him another couple of weeks to get match fitness. I think we’ll be in for a pretty good season from him.”

Tall striker Lee Stevens joins from State 2 club Old Scotch.

“He’s a big lad. I think you need one of those sort of players in the league we’re in, State One. He’ll be important during the season.”

Promoted from the ressies is youngster Nathan Fenech who the new coaches handpicked to join the first team. Drakos says of Fenech: “To be honest, the kid has excelled. He’s got pace, doesn’t give up. He’s going to have a good future as well.”

Rounding out the squad are Danny Jones from Casey Comets and Brayden Hawkins as well as two defenders who were with the club last season, the experienced Seb Petrovich and Daniel Lakovakis.

“I think we’ve got a good blend of experience and a few young boys as well,” Drakos says of the squad.

He says he has a simple coaching philosophy, putting faith in his players and encouraging them to express themselves.

“I’m a little bit open with the boys. I want them to express themselves. A lot of them, especially the overseas boys, like to knock it and go. I’m sort of not a guy that follows everyone else’s tactics. It’s just more that, ‘end of the day, if you don’t concede, you don’t lose’. I let the boys do what they’ve got to do.

“Obviously my expectation is probably to finish top four. I think we’ve got a team that can stay up there. Have a good run in the FFA Cup. We’ve got a challenging game on Saturday (against NPL 2 club Eastern Lions), but I think the boys are up for it.”

Players to watch out for this season include Dean Panagopoulos and Kon Daskalakis, as well as newcomers Marcelo Arapis and Niko Galas. The coach says of these players: “I reckon they’ve got that bit of X-factor that could change a game.”