South Melbourne only focused on NPL Victoria season after bumpy pre-season
Results might suggest a bumpy pre-season for South Melbourne but the NPL Victoria giant says the only match that matters is Round 1 against Melbourne Knights.
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Friendly results mean nothing, South Melbourne is only focused on its Round 1 blockbuster with Melbourne Knights.
The original rivalry kicks off the 2024 NPL Victoria season on Thursday, February 8 at Lakeside Stadium.
To look at results only, Hellas has had a bumpy pre-season, losing 7-0 to Green Gully and 1-nil to Sydney Olympic in the Greek Herald Cup and beating Adelaide Comets and St Albans 2-0.
However, after an influx of new players over the summer the club is not concerned.
Coach Esteban Quintas said it was all about getting to Round 1 ready to go.
“In my opinion, the pre-season is about arriving in the best possible condition for Round 1 and to also use the time to better understand our strengths and weaknesses,” Quintas said.
“We have managed to achieve these aims during the pre-season period and we have also worked hard on the physical component, to ensure we arrive at a strong level of fitness.
“We have many new players, so we have spent a lot of time to make them understand the philosophy and expectations of our club and to integrate them into the idea of a great working group and team spirit.”
As arguably Australia’s most storied football club, expectations are always high at Lakeside.
After a premiership triumph in 2022 but back-to-back grand final defeats, South is once again looking to claim silverware on multiple fronts.
Quintas has refreshed his squad with a number of high-profile recruits.
Star striker Harrison Sawyer returns from stints overseas with VPS in Finland and Indian club Jamshedpur, while the Argentine coach has brought in countrymen Mario Barcia (Bentleigh) and Nahuel Bonada (Green Gully).
Jordan Lampard (Green Gully), Seb Hernando (Manningham) Ross Archibald (Bentleigh) and Australia under-23 international Emilie Peios (Melbourne City) are also among the new arrivals.
Patrick Langlois (Hailstorm, USA), Marcus Schroen (Preston Lions), Alun Webb (Northcote City), Ben Djiba, Lirim Elmazi (both Dandenong Thunder) and Brad Norton (Essendon Royals) have departed.
Last season saw the club finish second in the league and grand final, both behind Avondale.
Jake Marshall’s dominant season in defence was recognised with the Gold Medal, while Javi Lopez was crowned Goalkeeper of the Year for a second straight season.
Ajak Riak’s strong form was rewarded with a move overseas, joining Indonesian club PSS Sleman, add finished joint top goalscorer with Max Mikkola on 10.
Quintas said the club was always looking to achieve success and was pleased with his squad.
“South Melbourne always aspires to fight for everything but my only goal right now is the game against Melbourne Knights,” he said.
“There were several changes in the squad, which generates a change of style in our game.
“We have signed players with different characteristics, the boys are very good, and I am very happy with them.
“In my view they have adapted well, they are eager to start now, and play in front of our fans. They have worked very hard these months.”
South faces Melbourne Knights in the season-opener in a rematch of the 2022 grand final and last season’s preliminary final.
Hellas claimed a 2-1 victory last year, thanks to a last-gasp winner from Schroen.
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The two clubs are expected to battle, along with Avondale, for the championship this season and will be keen to lay down an early marker.
“We’ve worked hard to arrive in optimal conditions for this match,” Quintas said.
“It is a game of great responsibility for us. It is a historic match and we will fight to make our fans proud of us.”
South Melbourne will wrap up preparations with a final friendly against Malvern City at Lakeside Stadium on Friday night.
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