2026 South Melbourne FC season

South Melbourne FC
2026–27 season
Chairman	Bill Papastergiadis
Head Coach	Sinisa Cohadzic
Stadium	Lakeside Stadium
NPL Victoria	2nd
Australian Championship	TBD
Australia Cup	Round of 32
Dockerty Cup	TBD
OFC Professional League	2nd
Top goalscorer	League: Thomas Giannakopoulos; Max Mikkola; (1 goal each); All: Jordan Swibel; (5 goals)
Biggest win	5–0; vs PNG Hekari (A), 24 January 2026, OFC Pro League
	All statistics correct as of 14 February 2026.

The 2026 season is the 67th in the history of South Melbourne Football Club. In addition to the regional league, the club will participate in the Australian Championship for the second time, the Dockerty Cup for the 29th time, the Australia Cup for the 29th time and the OFC Professional League for the first time.

Overview

NPL Victoria

On 8 December 2025, the fixtures for the 2026 NPL season were released by Football Victoria. South Melbourne were drawn away to Avondale on the opening weekend, and finish the regular season away to Caroline Springs George Cross.^[1]^[2]

Australia Cup

On 28 January 2025, Football Australia announced changes to the Australia Cup from the 2026 season.^[3] As winners of the 2025 Australian Championship, South Melbourne were awarded automatic entry into the Round of 32.^[4]

OFC Pro League

On 29 October 2025, South Melbourne were awarded a spot in the inaugural OFC Professional League.^[5]^[6] They kicked off their season with a 2–1 win over Tahiti United thanks to a goal eight minutes into stoppage time by substitute Andrew Mesourouni.^[7]^[8] Their second game, due to be held at North Harbour Stadium was postponed due to adverse weather in Auckland.^[9]^[10]

Squad information

First team

As of 18 January 2026^[11]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


No.	Pos.	Nation	Player
1	GK	ESP	Javier López
2	DF	AUS	Lucas Inglese
3	DF	AUS	Jordon Lampard
4	DF	AUS	Marko Janković (captain)
7	FW	NZL	Ishveer Singh
8	DF	NZL	Luka Coveny
9	FW	AUS	Jordan Swibel
11	FW	JPN	Yuki Uchida
13	FW	AUS	James Lackay
14	MF	AUS	Alex Menelaou
15	DF	AUS	Che Gorr Burchmore
16	FW	AUS	Arran Cocks


No.	Pos.	Nation	Player
17	MF	AUS	Thomas Giannakopoulos
19	MF	AUS	Andrew Mesourouni
20	GK	AUS	Jake Charlston
21	MF	AUS	Sebastian Pasquali
22	MF	AUS	Max Mikkola
23	DF	AUS	Jacob Eliopoulos
24	FW	ARG	Nahuel Bonada
27	DF	AUS	Jack Painter-Andrews
30	GK	AUS	Iliya Shalamanov-Trenkov
88	MF	AUS	Charlie Leech
99	MF	AUS	Jack Pope

Transfers

Note: Transfers' in/out date may refer to the date of announcement and not the date of signing from the mentioned players.

Transfers in

No.	Position	Player	Transferred from	Type/fee	Contract length	Date	Ref.
16	FW	Arran Cocks	Broadmeadow Magic	Free transfer	1 year	8 January 2026	^[12]
9	FW	Jordan Swibel	Marconi Stallions	Free transfer	1 year	9 January 2026	^[13]
7	FW	Ishveer Singh	Auckland United	Free transfer	1 year	11 January 2026	^[13]
13	FW	James Lackay	Melbourne Victory Youth	Free transfer	1 year	12 January 2026
8	DF	Luka Coveny	Free Agent	Free transfer	1 year	13 January 2026
30	GK	Iliya Shalamanov-Trenkov	Spartak Varna	Free transfer	1 year	14 January 2026

Pre-season and friendlies

21 January 2026	Preston Lions	v	South Melbourne	Reservoir
20:00		Report		Stadium: B.T. Connor Reserve Referee: Lucas Mattia

Competitions

Overall record

Competition	First match	Last match	Starting round	Record
Competition	First match	Last match	Starting round	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Win %
NPL Victoria	14 February 2026	29 August 2026	Matchday 1	1	1	0	0	2	0	+2	100.00
Australian Championship			Matchday 1	0	0	0	0	0	0	+0	!—
Australia Cup			Round of 32	0	0	0	0	0	0	+0	!—
Dockerty Cup				0	0	0	0	0	0	+0	!—
OFC Pro League	18 January 2026		Matchday 1	5	3	2	0	16	7	+9	060.00
Total				6	4	2	0	18	7	+11	066.67

Last updated: 14 February 2026
Source: Competitions

National Premier Leagues Victoria

League table

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Promotion, qualification or relegation
1	Altona Magic	1	1	0	3	1	+2	3	Qualification to Australian Championship and Finals series
2	South Melbourne^[a]	1	1	0	2	0	+2	3	Qualification to Finals series
3	Heidelberg United	1	1	0	2	1	+1	3
4	Caroline Springs George Cross	1	0	1	0	0	0	1
5	Bentleigh Greens	1	0	1	0	0	0	1

Updated to match(es) played on 14 Feb 2026. Source: Dribl
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored; 4) aggregate head-to-head results; 5) away goals; 6) alphabetical order/coin toss at the end of the season.
Notes:

^ Team pre-qualified to the Australian Championship as a Foundation club.

Results summary


Overall								Home						Away
Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD
1	1	0	0	2	0	+2	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	2	0	+2

Last updated: 14 February 2026.
Source: NPL Victoria

Results by round

Round	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24	25	26
Ground	A	H	A	H	A	A	H	A	H	A	H	A	H	H	A	H	A	H	H	A	H	A	H	A	H	A
Result	W
Position	2
Points	3

Updated to match(es) played on 15 February 2026. Source: NPL Victoria
A = Away; H = Home; N = Neutral; B = Bye; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches

The fixtures were announced on 7 December 2025.^[14]

Win Draw Loss Fixtures

14 February 2026 1	Avondale	0–2	South Melbourne	Parkville
15:00 AEDT		Report	Mikkola 32' Giannakopoulos 76'	Stadium: Avenger Park

19 February 2026 2	South Melbourne	v	Hume City	Albert Park
19:30 AEDT		Report		Stadium: Lakeside Stadium

28 February 2026 3	Altona Magic	v	South Melbourne	Altona North
18:15 AEDT		Report		Stadium: Paisley Park Soccer Complex

7 March 2026 4	South Melbourne	v	Bentleigh Greens	Bundoora
19:00 AEDT		Report		Stadium: The Home of the Matildas

13 March 2026 5	Green Gully	v	South Melbourne	Keilor Downs
19:30 AEDT		Report		Stadium: Green Gully Reserve

21 March 2026 6	Dandenong Thunder	v	South Melbourne	Dandenong
19:00 AEDT		Report		Stadium: George Andrews Reserve

30 March 2026 7	South Melbourne	v	Dandenong City	Albert Park
19:30 AEDT		Report		Stadium: Lakeside Stadium

11 April 2026 8	Preston Lions	v	South Melbourne	Reservoir
15:00 AEST		Report		Stadium: B.T. Connor Reserve

19 April 2026 9	South Melbourne	v	Oakleigh Cannons	Albert Park
15:30 AEST		Report		Stadium: Lakeside Stadium

24 April 2026 10	St Albans Saints Dinamo	v	South Melbourne	St Albans
20:30 AEST		Report		Stadium: Churchill Reserve

1 May 2026 11	South Melbourne	v	Melbourne City Youth	Albert Park
19:30 AEST		Report		Stadium: Lakeside Stadium

8 May 2026 12	Heidelberg United	v	South Melbourne	Heidelberg West
19:30 AEST		Report		Stadium: Olympic Village

18 May 2026 13	South Melbourne	v	Caroline Springs George Cross	Albert Park
19:30 AEST		Report		Stadium: Lakeside Stadium

25 May 2026 14	South Melbourne	v	Avondale	Albert Park
19:30 AEST		Report		Stadium: Lakeside Stadium

30 May 2026 15	Hume City	v	South Melbourne	Meadow Heights
14:00 AEST		Report		Stadium: Nasiol Stadium

7 June 2026 16	South Melbourne	v	Altona Magic	Albert Park
15:30 AEST		Report		Stadium: Lakeside Stadium

19 June 2026 17	Bentleigh Greens	v	South Melbourne	Cheltenham
20:30 AEST		Report		Stadium: Kingston Heath Soccer Complex

28 June 2026 18	South Melbourne	v	Green Gully	Albert Park
15:30 AEST		Report		Stadium: Lakeside Stadium

5 July 2026 19	South Melbourne	v	Dandenong Thunder	Albert Park
15:30 AEST		Report		Stadium: Lakeside Stadium

10 July 2026 20	Dandenong City	v	South Melbourne	Endeavour Hills
19:45 AEST		Report		Stadium: Frank Holohan Soccer Complex

19 July 2026 21	South Melbourne	v	Preston Lions	Albert Park
15:15 AEST		Report		Stadium: Lakeside Stadium

24 July 2026 22	Oakleigh Cannons	v	South Melbourne	Oakleigh
20:15 AEST		Report		Stadium: Jack Edwards Reserve

2 August 2026 23	South Melbourne	v	St Albans Saints Dinamo	Albert Park
15:30 AEST		Report		Stadium: Lakeside Stadium

15 August 2026 24	Melbourne City Youth	v	South Melbourne	Cranbourne East
15:00 AEST		Report		Stadium: Casey Fields

23 August 2026 25	South Melbourne	v	Heidelberg United	Albert Park
15:30 AEST		Report		Stadium: Lakeside Stadium

29 August 2026 26	Caroline Springs George Cross	v	South Melbourne	Fraser Rise
15:00 AEST		Report		Stadium: City Vista Recreation Reserve

Australian Championship

Australia Cup

Dockerty Cup

OFC Professional League

Circuit Series table

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification
1	Auckland FC	6	5	0	1	14	4	+10	15	Qualification for Leaders play-off group
2	South Melbourne	5	3	2	0	16	7	+9	11
3	Solomon Kings	5	2	2	1	4	2	+2	8
4	South Island United	5	2	2	1	7	8	−1	8
5	Bula FC	5	1	2	2	4	5	−1	5	Qualification for Challengers play-off group

Updated to match(es) played on 8 February 2026. Source: OFC Pro League
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Head to head; 5) Head to head goal difference; 6) Head to head goals scored; 7) Disciplinary record; 8) Coin toss^[15]

Results summary


Overall								Home						Away
Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD
5	3	2	0	16	7	+9	11	1	0	0	5	2	+3	2	2	0	11	5	+6

Last updated: 8 February 2026.
Source: OFC Pro League

Results by round

Round	1	3¹	4	5	6
Ground	A	A	A	A	H
Result	W	W	D	D	W
Position	2	2	2	2	2
Points	3	6	7	8	11

Updated to match(es) played on 8 February 2026. Source: OFC Pro League
A = Away; H = Home; N = Neutral; B = Bye; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss; X = Bye
Notes:

¹ Matchday 2 (vs Solomon Kings) was postponed due to adverse weather conditions.

Matches

The fixtures were announced on 24 November 2025.^[16]

Win Draw Loss Fixtures

Circuit 1

18 January 2026 1	Tahiti United	1–2	South Melbourne	Auckland, New Zealand
13:00 (NZDT)	Shan 35'	(Report) (OFC)	Uchida 47' Mesourouni 90+8'	Stadium: Eden Park Attendance: 565 Referee: Calvin Berg (New Zealand)

21 January 2026 2	South Melbourne	Postponed	Solomon Kings	Albany, New Zealand
19:00 (NZDT)		(OFC)		Stadium: North Harbour Stadium
Note: Originally scheduled to be played in Auckland at North Harbour Stadium on 21 January 2026, but was postponed due to adverse weather in Auckland.^[9]^[10]

24 January 2026 3	PNG Hekari	0–5	South Melbourne	Albany, New Zealand
18:30 (NZDT)		(Report) (OFC)	Giannakopoulos 3' Swibel 7', 57' Mikkola 45' Bonada 87'	Stadium: North Harbour Stadium Attendance: 355 Referee: Anna-Marie Keighley (New Zealand)

Circuit 2

1 February 2026 (2026-02-01) 4	South Island United	3–3	South Melbourne	Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
11:30 (PGT)	Zeb 9' Yoo 51' Rodwell 55'	(Report) (OFC)	Uchida 18' Mikkola 45' (pen.) Swibel 69'	Stadium: PNG Football Stadium Attendance: 155 Referee: Ben Aukwai (Solomon Islands)

4 February 2026 (2026-02-04) 5	Bula FC	1–1	South Melbourne	Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
15:30 (PGT)	Wasasala 42'	(Report) (OFC)	Mesourouni 13'	Stadium: PNG Football Stadium Attendance: 200 Referee: Calvin Berg (New Zealand)

8 February 2026 6	South Melbourne	5–2	Vanuatu United	Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
11:30 (PGT)	Inglese 23' Uchida 45+6' Swibel 64' (pen.), 83' Mesourouni 90+8'	(Report) (OFC)	Saniel 1', 71'	Stadium: PNG Football Stadium Attendance: 448 Referee: Cory Mills (New Zealand)

Circuit 3

21 February 2026 7	South Melbourne	v	Auckland FC	Australia
TBC				Stadium: TBC

24 February 2026 8	South Melbourne	v	Tahiti United	Australia
TBC				Stadium: TBC

27 February 2026 9	South Melbourne	v	South Island United	Australia
TBC				Stadium: TBC

Circuit 4

15 March 2026 10	Vanuatu United	v	South Melbourne	Honiara, Solomon Islands
TBC				Stadium: National Stadium

19 March 2026 11	Solomon Kings	v	South Melbourne	Honiara, Solomon Islands
TBC				Stadium: National Stadium

Circuit 5

12 April 2026 12	Auckland FC	v	South Melbourne	Fiji
TBC				Stadium: TBC

15 April 2026 13	South Melbourne	v	Bula FC	Fiji
TBC				Stadium: TBC

18 April 2026 14	South Melbourne	v	PNG Hekari	Fiji
TBC				Stadium: TBC

Statistics

Appearances and goals

Includes all competitions.

As of 14 February 2026

No.	Pos	Nat	Player	Total		NPL Victoria		Australian Championship		Australia Cup		Dockerty Cup		OFC Pro League
No.	Pos	Nat	Player	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Goalkeepers
1	GK	ESP	Javier López	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
20	GK	AUS	Jake Charlston	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2+1	0
30	GK	AUS	Iliya Shalamanov-Trenkov	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	0
Defenders
2	DF	AUS	Lucas Inglese	3	1	0+1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1+1	1
3	DF	AUS	Jordon Lampard	6	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	5	0
4	DF	AUS	Marko Janković	5	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	0
8	DF	NZL	Luka Coveny	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2+1	0
15	DF	AUS	Che Gorr Burchmore	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0+2	0
23	DF	AUS	Jacob Eliopoulos	2	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
27	DF	AUS	Jack Painter-Andrews	6	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	5	0
Midfielders
14	MF	AUS	Alex Menelaou	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	0
17	MF	AUS	Thomas Giannakopoulos	5	2	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	1
19	MF	AUS	Andrew Mesourouni	5	3	0+1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1+3	3
21	MF	AUS	Sebastian Pasquali	4	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	0
22	MF	AUS	Max Mikkola	6	3	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	4+1	2
88	MF	AUS	Charlie Leech	5	0	0+1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0+4	0
99	MF	AUS	Jack Pope	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1+2	0
Forwards
7	FW	NZL	Ishveer Singh	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1+2	0
9	FW	AUS	Jordan Swibel	6	5	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3+2	5
11	FW	JPN	Yuki Uchida	6	3	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	5	3
13	FW	AUS	James Lackay	5	0	0+1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0+4	0
16	FW	AUS	Arran Cocks	6	0	0+1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3+2	0
24	FW	ARG	Nahuel Bonada	6	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	4+1	1

Source: South Melbourne

Clean sheets

Includes all competitive matches. The list is sorted by squad number when total clean sheets are equal. Numbers in parentheses represent games where both goalkeepers participated and both kept a clean sheet; the number in parentheses is awarded to the goalkeeper who was substituted on, whilst a full clean sheet is awarded to the goalkeeper who was on the field at the start of play. Goalkeepers with no clean sheets not included in the list.

As of 14 February 2026

Rank	No.	Player	NPL Victoria	OFC Pro League	Total
1	1	Javier López	1	0	1
1	30	Iliya Shalamanov-Trenkov	0	1	1
2	20	Jake Charlston	0	0 (1)	0 (1)
Total			1	1	2

Disciplinary record

Includes all competitions. The list is sorted by squad number when total cards are equal. Players with no cards not included in the list.

As of 14 February 2026

No.	Pos.	Player	NPL Victoria			Australian Championship			Australia Cup			Dockerty Cup			OFC Pro League			Total
No.	Pos.	Player
9	FW	Jordan Swibel	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	2	0	0
3	DF	Jordon Lampard	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	1	0	0
14	MF	Alex Menelaou	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	1	0	0
21	MF	Sebastian Pasquali	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	1	0	0
88	MF	Charlie Leech	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	1	0	0
99	MF	Jack Pope	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	1	0	0
Total			1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	6	0	0	7	0	0

References

^ "NPL fixtures released". Northern Star Weekly. 9 December 2025. Retrieved 9 February 2026.
^ Deliyannis, James (11 December 2025). "NPL Victoria Men's fixture draw announced for new season". Neos Kosmos. Retrieved 9 February 2026.
^ "Refined Hahn Australia Cup structure announced for 2026". Australia Cup. 28 January 2026. Retrieved 1 February 2026.
^ "South Melbourne FC earn direct Australia Cup entry under 2026 overhaul". The Greek Herald. 28 January 2026. Retrieved 1 February 2026.
^ "OFC Pro League teams confirmed". Oceania Football Confederation. 29 October 2025. Retrieved 22 January 2026.
^ Tora, Iliesa (31 October 2025). "Oceania prepares for football 'revolution' with official launch of first-ever professional league". Radio New Zealand. Retrieved 22 January 2026.
^ "South Melbourne FC score late to make winning start". Oceania Football Confederation. 18 January 2026. Retrieved 1 February 2026.
^ "Stoppage time winner for South Melbourne in club's OFC Pro League debut". friendsoffootballnz.com. 18 January 2026. Retrieved 1 February 2026.
^ ^a ^b "Weather forces postponement of Wednesday's games in OFC Pro League". friendsoffootballnz.com. 21 January 2026. Retrieved 1 February 2026.
^ ^a ^b "OFC Pro League matches postponed due to severe weather". friendsoffootballnz.com. 21 January 2026. Retrieved 1 February 2026.
^ "Squads". OFC Pro League. Oceania Football Confederation. 8 January 2025.
^ "South Melbourne recruit in-form winger for OFC Pro League campaign". friendsoffootballnz.com. 9 January 2026. Retrieved 10 January 2026.
^ ^a ^b "South Melbourne add to frontline options ahead of OFC Pro League debut". friendsoffootballnz.com. 12 January 2026. Retrieved 14 January 2026.
^ "2026 NPL Victoria Fixtures Released". Football Victoria. 8 December 2025. Retrieved 9 January 2026.
^ "OFC Professional League Competition Regulations" (PDF). Oceania Football Confederation. Retrieved 24 October 2025.
^ "Match schedule confirmed for OFC Pro League". OFC Pro League. 24 November 2025. Retrieved 24 November 2025.

[table_note_AVO0.1580836266084-14] Team pre-qualified to the Australian Championship as a Foundation club.

[1] "NPL fixtures released". Northern Star Weekly. 9 December 2025. Retrieved 9 February 2026.

[2] Deliyannis, James (11 December 2025). "NPL Victoria Men's fixture draw announced for new season". Neos Kosmos. Retrieved 9 February 2026.

[3] "Refined Hahn Australia Cup structure announced for 2026". Australia Cup. 28 January 2026. Retrieved 1 February 2026.

[4] "South Melbourne FC earn direct Australia Cup entry under 2026 overhaul". The Greek Herald. 28 January 2026. Retrieved 1 February 2026.

[5] "OFC Pro League teams confirmed". Oceania Football Confederation. 29 October 2025. Retrieved 22 January 2026.

[6] Tora, Iliesa (31 October 2025). "Oceania prepares for football 'revolution' with official launch of first-ever professional league". Radio New Zealand. Retrieved 22 January 2026.

[7] "South Melbourne FC score late to make winning start". Oceania Football Confederation. 18 January 2026. Retrieved 1 February 2026.

[8] "Stoppage time winner for South Melbourne in club's OFC Pro League debut". friendsoffootballnz.com. 18 January 2026. Retrieved 1 February 2026.

[Weather-9] "Weather forces postponement of Wednesday's games in OFC Pro League". friendsoffootballnz.com. 21 January 2026. Retrieved 1 February 2026.

[Weather1-10] "OFC Pro League matches postponed due to severe weather". friendsoffootballnz.com. 21 January 2026. Retrieved 1 February 2026.

[11] "Squads". OFC Pro League. Oceania Football Confederation. 8 January 2025.

[12] "South Melbourne recruit in-form winger for OFC Pro League campaign". friendsoffootballnz.com. 9 January 2026. Retrieved 10 January 2026.

[SwibelSingh-13] "South Melbourne add to frontline options ahead of OFC Pro League debut". friendsoffootballnz.com. 12 January 2026. Retrieved 14 January 2026.

[15] "2026 NPL Victoria Fixtures Released". Football Victoria. 8 December 2025. Retrieved 9 January 2026.

[regulations-16] "OFC Professional League Competition Regulations" (PDF). Oceania Football Confederation. Retrieved 24 October 2025.

[17] "Match schedule confirmed for OFC Pro League". OFC Pro League. 24 November 2025. Retrieved 24 November 2025.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[a]

[14]

[15]

[16]