Images: South Melbourne
Coach: Socrates Nicolaidis
2016 finish: 1st SL1 NW (champions)
Summary: It was a barnstorming season for South who won a third straight Victorian title, taking out the SL1 NW premiership and then the SL1 championship win over Boroondara Eagles, before being granted an NPLW licence.
Ins: Antonia Niteros (Southern United), Aimee Medwin (Tasmanian NTC), Michelle Verzi (Heidelberg United), Julia Nicolaci (Heidelberg United), Jamie Pollock (Bulleen Lions), Tiffany Eliadis (Southern United), Alex Gummer (Melbourne Victory), Brittany Thomas (Alamein FC), Cassandra Zaffina (Alamein FC), Melina Ayres (Alamein FC), Molly May-Ramsay (Murray United)
Re-signed: Alex Cheal, Natalie Martineau, Caitlin Greiser, Alanah Giuliano, Renee Laszczak, Deryal Aziz,Rachel Jarvis
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Player Q&A: Caitlin Greiser
How’s pre-season going? Where have you been with the team?
It has a been an extended and exciting pre-season and being with South Melbourne has opened up some amazing opportunities. Over Christmas and new year’s the club sent an Under-19 squad led by senior coach Soc Nicolaidis to Orlando, Florida USA. We played in the 20th Annual Orange Classic and then the Disney Soccer Showcase at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Centre. It was fantastic time where we played six matches in six days, toured university facilities and spoke to coaches and scouts from all across America.
Back in Australia we started training in early January and we have all been working hard to make sure we are ready for our first game against Box Hill on Sunday. The highlights in pre-season has been consistently training on our match pitch at Lakeside and the joint training sessions with the senior men’s squad.
What have the club’s pre-season results been?
In America we had a few good wins and some very challenging matches. Back home we have had a few pre-season games. We played great football but just didn’t get the results we were looking for. Our main focus now is to prepare for our first game on the 26th of Feb at Wembley Park.
How are the new signings settling in?
Our new signings are settling in very well. There are some new faces but also a number of players returning to South Melbourne such as Tiffany Eliadis and Jamie Pollock. They have both won Championship at South so its great to have their experience in the squad. Together we have all been training hard, getting used to each other and we are all excited for the new season and what it has to bring.
Who are the South players to watch in 2017 (new or existing) and why?
I would defiantly have to say Alex Cheal. She is coming off her first W-league season and is one to keep an eye on. She has always been a standout at South and I’m sure that won’t stop anytime soon. Another South player to watch would be Jamie Pollock. She has always been a hard working midfielder and she is always trying to get the best out of herself and her teammates.
Who are the some of the bigger characters off the pitch and why?
I would defiantly have to say Tiffany and Natalie Martineau. They are very competitive with each other all the time and they always joke around, making everyone laugh.
How’s Socrates Nicolaidis been preparing the squad?
Soc has been preparing us for the season well and it has been a little different from last year. We recognise we are returning to the top league in Victoria and that means we have to lift as individuals and as a team. This pre-season has had a greater emphasis on physical fitness. We have been doing two hour sessions three to four times a week to get us prepared for the start of the season.
Which team/player are you most looking forward to facing this year?
I would have to say Heidelberg. Every time we have played them it’s been a competitive game. I think that will only continue, not only with Heidelberg but I think with every team.
The biggest thing I am looking forward to however is playing on Lakeside as part of the double-headers with the senior men’s team. The club has done an amazing job organising these fixtures and we hope the members and supporters will come in early to see us play.
Which opposition club(s) have impressed you most in pre-season?
Calder has been pretty impressive, beating Heidelberg 7-1 in the Community Shield. It shows they will be a great team/competitor this season. It’s a tough competition so none of the games will be easy.
What are the expectations/objectives in 2017?
There haven’t been any expectations set for certain results this year. Soc has been clear that he wants us to be a disciplined and a hard-working team. If we can do that well, the results will come.
What’s one headline we may see about South Melbourne this season?
‘First year in the NPLW and South enter the Grand Final’