These well-known clubs have sat at the forefront of the competition since the NPL Victoria’s inception. But even the most erudite supporters of Victorian football could stand to learn something as Damir Kulas delves into the bio’s of both the South Melbourne and Bentleigh Greens squad ahead of their NPL Victoria Grand Final. Keep this article at the ready as you watch today’s match to drop a knowledge bomb on those watching with you.
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Bentleigh Greens
Manager: John Anastasiadis, 47 (Joined Club: 2011)
A decorated senior career began at boyhood club Heidelberg in the late 1980s before spending nearly a decade with Greek giants PAOK. Returned to South and won NSL titles before returning to the club as coach in 2005 and guiding them to a state crown the following year. Had a less than successful spell at Oakleigh later on. Is the only Australian to have ever scored at the Maracana in Brazil.
Assistant Manager: John Gabrielson, 49 (Joined Club: 2011)
Anastasiadis’ long-time assistant, he carved up a successful club career which featured a spell with Heidelberg during their NSL heydays in the 1980s as well as plying his trade for numerous state league clubs. A shrewd tactician, he won a VPL title with South in 2006 and linked up with JA at the Greens in 2011.
Goalkeeper Coach: Peter Zois, 37 (Joined Club: 2015)
Spent much of playing career in Europe with spells for Cardiff City and in the Netherlands. Returned to Melbourne in 2007 and turned up in goals for Frankston, Richmond, South Melbourne and Oakleigh whom he later coached and led to a losing Grand Final in 2012 before a fateful spell at Goulburn last year. Spent some time at Melbourne Heart in the club’s first two seasons.
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GK: Alastair Bray, 22 (Joined Club – 2013)
25 games, 10 clean sheets (59 games, 0 goals)
The talented young shot-stopper deposed experienced campaigner Stuart Webster as the Greens number one last year after making his top-flight debut the previous season. Began his senior career at Bulleen and was on the books of the Melbourne Heart youth team. Is the cousin of South goalkeeper Fraser MacLaren.
LB: Luke Pilkington, 25 (Joined Club – 2011)
26 games, 1 goal (90 games, 2 goals)
A Canberra native who won Football Superstar Season Two and subsequently signed a contract with Melbourne Victory, where he made a handful of senior appearances. Can also play in the middle of the park and on the left wing. The stockbroker by trade will be looking to make amends after being sent-off in the 2013 Grand Final when his side was 2-1 up in extra-time.
CB: Jack Webster, 24 (Joined Club – 2010)
26 games, 2 goals (128 games, 3 goals)
After lower league experience back in England with Scunthorpe United and York City, he moved to Australia in 2010 and joined the newly-promoted Greens. Now club vice-captain, he has established himself as one of the league’s best defenders and is a fan favourite with over 100 appearances for the club. His older brother Byron is currently on the books of Millwall in League One.
CB: Steven Topalovic, 25 (Joined Club – 2015)
25 games, 0 goals
Like many of his teammates, the former Dandenong City junior gained exposure on Football Superstar. He impressed Miron Bleiberg and spent a year with the Gold Coast United youth team in 2009-10, winning the NYL title. Has had spells at Richmond, South and Dandenong Thunder, and runs his own PT business while also being the face of Melbourne’s Spring Racing Carnival.
RB: Troy Ruthven, 24 (Joined Club – 2015)
26 games, 1 goal
Originally from Menai in South-Western Sydney, Ruthven appeared as a finalist on Football Superstar in season three. He moved to Queensland and played with Palm Beach Sharks, where he was instrumental in the side’s run to the final eight of last year’s FFA Cup. Equally capable of playing anywhere across the back four or in central midfield, where he has primarily featured this season.
CM: Wayne Wallace, 31 (Joined Club – 2011)
22 games, 2 goals (104 games, 12 goals)
The Hull-born talismanic skipper and midfield heartbeat moved to Australia in 2009 and spent two seasons with Sunshine George Cross. He was instrumental during last year’s FFA Cup campaign, with his late leveller against Adelaide City ensuring his place in club folklore. Has been hit by injuries to some extent this campaign but has returned to full fitness at the crux end of the season.
CM: Liam McCormick, 22 (Joined Club – 2013)
25 games, 4 goals (71 games, 6 goals)
The Melbourne-born, hard-working box-to-box midfielder moved to the Gold Coast in his youth and earned a contract with Brisbane Roar’s youth team after winning Football Superstar in season three. Returned to Victoria in 2012, spending a season with the Southern Stars before signing for the Greens the following year.
AM: Tyson Holmes, 27 (Joined Club – 2015)
27 games, 6 goals
A Queenslander who moved to Victoria as a teenager and spent some time with the Frankston Pines. Dominated all before him in Queensland with Sunshine Coast and was unlucky that a few A-League deals fell through. Spent the previous two years at Lakeside and has been a standout for Bentleigh this campaign, adding crucial goals from midfield.
LW: Jamie de Abreu, 24 (Joined Club – 2013)
22 games, 3 goals (62 games, 9 goals)
The Perth-born speedy winger spent time in New Zealand with Team Wellington while also having A-League trials with the Phoenix and Victory. Grabbed a memorable extra-time winner over Adelaide City in last year’s FFA Cup. Primarily used as a super-sub this campaign, he has stepped into the starting XI following the departure of De Vries.
RW: Daniel Visevic, 26 (Joined Club – 2015)
26 games, 2 goals
Burst onto the scene as a 16-year-old with Melbourne Victory. Has also spent some time in Germany and Croatia with Werder Bremen and Dinamo Zagreb respectively. Has had multiple spells with Richmond and Melbourne Knights, as well as stints with St Albans and Port Melbourne. One of the most technically gifted players in the league.
ST: Chris Lucas, 23 (Joined Club – 2015)
26 games, 15 goals
Gold Coast United youth product who made one appearance for the senior side before the club folded. Scored 40 league goals in Queensland last year for Palm Beach Sharks, who he helped reach the last eight of the FFA Cup. Despite his diminutive stature, he unsettles some of the league’s best defenders with his blistering pace.
Get to know South Melbourne
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GK: Ryan Scott, 20 (Joined Club – 2015)
3 games, 0 clean sheets
Confident young custodian who has done well when called upon this campaign. A Monbulk junior, he spent last season earning rave reviews at Doveton and Mornington in the lower leagues before signing on as Bray’s back-up. Studying sports journalism at university and is a die-hard Newcastle United supporter.
CB: Ryan Love, 28 (Joined Club – 2015)
5 games, 0 goals
Queenslander who joined mid-way through the season following the departure of Tom Matthews. Capable of playing anywhere across the back four, he has struggled for game time since his move down south due to the sheer effectiveness of Bentleigh’s defence over the course of the season. Can claim to be the league’s most inked player, as he sports dozens of tattoos across his body.
CB: Naim Delibajric, 17 (Joined Club – 2015)
0 games, 0 goals
Teenage centre-back who can also fill in at either full-back positions. He moved to the Bentleigh 20s mid-way through the campaign after spending the first half of the season at Heatherton United in State League 2. Yet to make a senior appearance in the league but made his debut in a friendly against the Newcastle Jets where he impressed.
RB: Dion Kirk, 21 (Joined Club – 2014)
22 games, 0 goals
Former Adelaide United youth team player who has spent much of his time this season playing in the centre of the park but was moved to right back following the departure of Matthews. Was at South Melbourne last season where he made a number of appearances at the back end of the season. Noted for his passing ability.
CM: Dimitar Mitkov, 19 (Joined Club – 2015)
0 games, 0 goals
Technically efficient midfielder who returned to Australia after spending some time in his parent’s homeland of Macedonia, where he was capped by their youth sides. An ex-South junior, he played for a select Australia Under-13 side in 2009. Has found first-team playing time hard to come by, such is the competition for spots in front of him.
AM: Austin Wong, 18 (Joined Club – 2015)
6 games, 0 goals
Used sporadically this campaign but nonetheless a real talent in the making. A South-East Piranhas junior who last year returned to Bentleigh this year after spending last year at Oakleigh for whom he claimed the Under 20s title for with some impressive performances. Has a good first touch and can either play as an eight or a 10.
ST: Marinos Panayi, 20 (Joined Club – 2015)
0 games, 0 goals
Captain of the title-winning Under 20s, he is yet to make a first-team league appearance but is on the senior roster for next season. Capable of playing at centre-back or up front as a striker, he is the only member of the squad with Cypriot Greek heritage and has spent much of his junior’s career at the club.