South Melbourne’s iron wall (From L-R): Alex Cheal, Demi Mihaloudis, Cassandra Dimovski, Sarah Sumner, Lauren Farrugia
It’s never been done before, at least not in Women’s Premier League history. You’ll be hard pressed to find a club that has won eight games in a row to start a league campaign, let alone one which has conceded exactly zero goals in the bargain. You haven’t heard it wrong, South Melbourne’s defence has yet to be breached in the WPL this season.
There’s lots to like about this team of course, for example their league high 46 goals scored after 8 rounds (defending champions Box Hill recorded 60 goals and runners-up Bundoora 63 goals over the course of last season) but that is a different story for another time. For now, their impregnable defence is looking their greatest strength as they prepare for a chance to raise some silverware this Sunday. It’s quite an impressive feat, considering that none of the starting back four or the goalkeeper was at the club last season. You’d be hard pressed to find a more solid unit at the moment.
Ahead of this weekend’s Knockout Cup Final at the Veneto Club, we take a look at the players who make this season’s South Melbourne defence such an immovable object.
#1. Cassandra Dimovski, 19 (Goalkeeper)
League Appearances: 8
Goals Conceded: 0
Clean Sheets: 8
A marvellous capture for any team, the reigning WPL Goalkeeper of the Year is the perfect cornerstone to build your defence around. Athletic and possessing lightning fast reflexes, Cassandra Dimovski has to be one of the best goaltenders around Victoria. Completing a breakthrough season as first choice custodian with Box Hill last season, Dimovski decided it was time for a fresh start and soon landed at Lakeside Stadium.
8 shutouts out of 8 sounds like an amazing achievement, and something that Dimovski can be rightly proud of but the goalkeeper will admit that there are days when she has been hardly troubled this season. The South Melbourne defence has been so dominant at times that their goalkeeper has barely broken a sweat some games. But when a ball does get through at times though, Dimovski’s stepped up to the plate and come up big. You couldn’t ask for more.
[colored_box color=”blue”]”If you look at the defence, there’s nobody currently in the Victory team or any Aussie team, that’s kind of what I love about them. It shows the coaches out there that not all the talent has been picked up yet and our defence just works so well together” – Dimovski[/colored_box]
#13. Alex Cheal, 20 (Central Defender)
League Appearances: 7
The former NTC product has been a standout in central defence this season, her partnership with Sarah Sumner blossoming into one of the best in the league. Neither of them might be particularly lanky, but they seem to compliment each other to devastating effect. One moves out to meet an onrushing attacker while the other slides into position to mop up if needed. It’s as though there was some kind of symmetry at work.
This is Cheal’s first season outside the EAP/NTC system (apart from playing football back in Echuca) and it looks to have paid off in spades so far. The flame haired central defender has been attracting lots of praise for her composure both on and off the ball and if this keeps up, better things might be in the offing. It wouldn’t hurt for her to dream a little.
[colored_box color=”blue”]”I knew some of the girls coming in and I heard it was a fantastic club to be part of, it was either here or Box Hill and I chose here. I’m very happy I did.” – Cheal[/colored_box]
#9. Sarah Sumner, 21 (Central Defender/Central Midfielder)
League Appearances: 7
Assists: 1
It’s been quite a journey for the ex-Preston player after a pre-season mishap left her fearing the worst. Coming off a disappointing season with the Lions, Sarah Sumner was told that she would probably miss a huge chunk of the upcoming season after being involved in a car accident that broke her kneecap and also left her with a painful back injury in October. Through to form though, the fiery Sumner refused to take her doctor’s diagnosis lying down and embarked on an intense rehabilitation program to be fit for the new season.
It took a significant effort, but come the opening weekend there she was in South Melbourne’s starting lineup, as proud as punch. Being shifted to central defence from her natural position in midfield didn’t faze her any more than her injury had though as she quickly staked her claim for a first team spot.
[colored_box color=”blue”]”Everyone’s so positive and we’re all good friends outside of soccer as well so we get along really well. It means a lot to me that I’m out there doing what I love.” – Sumner[/colored_box]
#4. Demi Mihaloudis, 18 (Full Back)
League Appearances: 7
The baby in this South Melbourne defence at 18 years of age, Demi Mihaloudis seems to have stepped up another level after an impressive season with Heidelberg last year. Her ball striking is up there with the best on the team, and not much gets past her on the right flank. The full back is not afraid to play the ball out of defence if given the space, and can cause significant damage when allowed the chance to put crosses into the box.
While the right winger in front of her might change from game to game, Mihaloudis has shown an ability to link up with whoever it is in front of her. Be it Jessica Calder, Tiffany Eliadis, Helina Vunderl-Messis or Jessica Au, the full back’s overlapping runs and willingness to offer an option on the run makes the right flank a very fluid one for South Melbourne.
[colored_box color=”blue”]”I’ve never played in a team like this before, we all work well together and perform well together, we basically play off each other – it’s brilliant.” – Mihaloudis[/colored_box]
#8. Lauren Farrugia, 25 (Full Back/Central Defender)
League Appearances: 8
Assists: 1
Another former Box Hill player, Lauren Farrugia has another stab at the Knockout Cup Final after missing out last season due to work commitments. Besides bringing plenty of experience to the South Melbourne side, Farrugia’s selfless work at left back has gone almost unnoticed. While many might take the co-captain’s solid shifts in defence lightly, you have to admire the dedication from the converted centre back with a predominant right foot. It’s a tough ask at the best of times, yet she goes about it without complaint and with the minimal of fuss.
Farrugia’s task is simple most days, clear any ball that comes down her flank and smash it long to where the opposition can’t hurt the team. On occasion, these balls do find their way through a sea of bodies and into the path of a South Melbourne striker who then gets a clear run at goal. Farrugia can’t really have intended it, even after the fourth or fifth time we’ve seen it… or did she?
[colored_box color=”blue”]”I think there’s an extra responsibility that comes from being captain. It just comes down to giving the girls some information about shape and making sure we’re in position, but yeah they’re pretty good at it.” – Farrugia[/colored_box]