Get the appSouth Melbourne won a penalty shootout 5–4 against Sydney United on Friday night after a 1–1 draw at Lakeside Stadium. The result gave them a bonus point that keeps them alone at the top of Group A in the Australian Championship. Sydney United led from a penalty by Mason Wells in the 38th minute. Julian Cop levelled from the spot six minutes into the second half. South Melbourne play Croatia in Canberra next week.
Georgie Dragwidge, a South Melbourne Market stallholder known as the potato lady, is running again as an independent for the Albert Park seat in the Victorian Parliament. It is her second attempt after winning almost six per cent of the primary vote in 2022. Labor has held the seat since 1950, and sitting MP Nina Taylor is recontesting it. Dragwidge says she will campaign on the cost of living, community safety, mental health services and transport at Fishermans Bend. Her campaign budget is far smaller than those of the major parties.
Police have arrested 29 people after uncovering two illegal casinos in Melbourne's eastern suburbs, as part of an investigation into alleged drug manufacturing. Officers seized firearms, weapons, $600,000 in cash, illegal tobacco and vapes, and drugs including methylamphetamine and ketamine during search warrants. Police allege a 40-year-old South Melbourne woman was charged with trafficking a large commercial quantity of methylamphetamine. Detective Inspector Carlie Kohler said the arrests would help dismantle drug syndicates and get drugs and weapons off the streets.
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Get the appSouth Melbourne Hellas return to Lakeside Stadium as Australia Cup holders for their first home match since winning the trophy. The club seeks a second straight win against Sydney United in the Australian Championship. Oakleigh Cannons travel to face Marconi Stallions, who lost their opening match to Bayswater City, and the Cannons aim for a second win after beating Sydney Olympic. Round two fixtures run from Thursday 22 October to Sunday 25 October.
South Melbourne FC has appointed former player Jamie Reed as senior coach. Reed was part of the club's 2014 Championship triumph and holds a UEFA A Licence. He brings coaching experience from youth and senior football in the United Kingdom. Senior Football Director Peter Kokotis said Reed's connection to the club and his background made him a strong fit. The club wants attacking football that excites supporters while developing younger players, and General Manager Strati Xynas said Reed understands the club's culture.
Ilfracombe House, a historic timber home in Paynesville on the Gippsland Lakes, is listed for sale by expressions of interest with a $4.4m price guide. Built in 1885 by Irish plasterer Edward Murphy for his wife Ellen, the five-bedroom residence retains original Victorian-era features, including decorative plasterwork, 3.7m ceilings, leadlight windows and open fireplaces. The home sits on a 10,268sq m parcel overlooking Newlands Backwater, Sunset Cove and Lake Victoria. Listing agent Todd Leggatt says the property includes two jetty berths giving direct access to the Gippsland Lakes.
South Melbourne opened its Australian Championship campaign with a 1-0 away win over Sutherland in New South Wales. Yuki Ushida scored the only goal of the match. The Australian Cup holders controlled possession and tempo for long periods, while their defence limited Sutherland's chances. Next, South Melbourne host Sydney United at Lakeside Stadium at Albert Park on Friday, 23 October, at 7.30pm.
A converted South Melbourne warehouse, a hand-built house in Mount Martha and a Malvern residence with a landscaped pool are among five Melbourne homes highlighted for their distinctive design. The South Melbourne property keeps its warehouse features, including reclaimed-timber ceilings, and contains two independent residences. The Mount Martha home was largely hand-built by Ross Bakker for his family and uses rare West African timber. A single-level Mount Eliza home has four-metre ceilings and a stone-clad fireplace, while a Luciano Bologna-designed Malvern house spans three levels with a bold facade.
South Melbourne FC co-president Bill Papastergiadis has called the barriers keeping the club out of the A-League un-Australian. Speaking after the club beat Melbourne Victory on penalties in the Australia Cup final at AAMI Park, he said the reasons for its exclusion were fiction. He said South wanted a chance to invest, develop its staff and give players and supporters a pathway to the top level. He said the club had not yet held talks with the Australian Professional Leagues, which operates the A-League, and was waiting to be contacted.
South Melbourne, Sydney Olympic and Oakleigh Cannons all feature in the second Australian Championship, each with a different goal. South Melbourne, last year's winners, face the pressure of being the main target after their Australia Cup triumph. Sydney Olympic is seeking redemption after narrowly missing the knockout stage last season, and has signed several marquee players, including Dimitri Petratos. Oakleigh Cannons are new to the tournament after winning the NPL Victoria Premiership, and their coach says the competition offers a valuable platform for younger players.
Football Australia and Victorian officials have condemned spectators who disrupted the Welcome to Country ceremony at the Australia Cup final. The incident occurred during South Melbourne's victory over Melbourne Victory, overshadowing the historic win for the National Premier Leagues side. The governing body and state minister emphasised the importance of respect and inclusivity in Australian football. Melbourne's lord mayor also expressed disappointment at the crowd's behaviour, highlighting the need for respect towards Indigenous traditions. This follows previous incidents of disrespect during Welcome to Country ceremonies at sporting events.
Bush Flowers has opened a shopfront on Queensberry Street in North Melbourne, filled with Australian native flowers. Owner Michael, who grew up around the flower industry, started the business after noticing few native flowers reached florists. The business began in Carlton North just before COVID and built a following online and at farmers' markets. Michael says he wanted customers to see the flowers in person. He grows some flowers on his own farm in the Northern Territory and sources others from growers, including Grampians grower Brett McDonald.
South Melbourne FC has announced the departure of head coach Sinisa Cohadzic, two days after the club won the Australia Cup. Hellas beat Melbourne Victory on penalties in the final at AAMI Park. Under Cohadzic, the club also won the Australian Championship and Dockerty Cup. Senior Football Director Peter Kokotis called him a legend of the club. Sam Poutakidis will take charge for the Australian Championship opener, an away match against Sutherland Sharks.
Former South Melbourne figures known as The Hellas Crew met at the Orlo restaurant in Melbourne, sharing memories of the club and their years of service to the Greek community. The group met one day before the grand final against Melbourne Victory. The next day, Hellas won the Australia Cup against Melbourne Victory on penalties. The club is described as part of the collective memory and identity of Melbourne's Greek community.
South Melbourne co-president Bill Papastergiadis says the club wants to lead efforts for fairness in Australian football after winning the Australia Cup. Asked how soon the club could join the A-League, he said it was ready immediately. Captain Marco Jankovic called the win the best moment of his career and pointed to the emotion of long-time supporters. Coach Sinisa Cohadzic said the club and its fans are hungry for bigger games and bigger leagues.
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Get the appSouth Melbourne co-president Bill Papastergiadis says the club's Australia Cup triumph belongs to the entire Hellenic community. South became the first club from outside the A-League to lift the trophy. Papastergiadis said the win was against the odds, after the club was left out of the A-League in 2004. As Cup winners, South has earned a place in next year's AFC Champions League Two.
Melbourne man Ben Turner, who survived a tram collision on Kings Way in South Melbourne in 2005, will run the full Melbourne Marathon on October 11. He is raising money for Ambulance Victoria and The Alfred Foundation, with a target of $10,000 for each. When paramedics reached him, his heart had stopped and he was not breathing, yet they saved him. He later spent four weeks in hospital, including 23 days in intensive care. Turner says he wants to recognise the emergency workers who helped him, and he stays in touch with the paramedics involved.