South’s official Squad for the Australian Championship features at least six former youth products, some of which have already made a mark in the tournament. We take some time to profile these players and assess their chances of making a name for themselves on the national level in the famous Hellas blue.

Jake Charlston – Goal Keeper

This young goal keeper starred in the U23s but found himself on the senior pitch before his time after an injury and a red card meant the then third choice keeper would be required in an NPL game against Preston. Charlston was elevated to second keeper following the midseason transfer window and started his first game proper in a drubbing against Avondale.

Although the young keeper impressed enough to be elevated into the senior squad for the Australian Championship, it is unlikely he will feature in a starting spot as long as Lopez is needed between the sticks. There is a chance for game time in the final group games now that South has qualified for the finals, but this season may just be one for the young keeper to learn and soak in the atmosphere of national level football.

Lucas Inglese – Defender

Lucas is a 22 year of defender who has been at times used up front to provide a large target for set pieces and disrupt opposition defences. Lucas is also the younger brother of Christian, who himself played for the South Senior squad in 2024. Lucas however has enjoyed a longer career at Hellas than his brother, having played over 40 games and even scoring a goal for South.

The former South junior is yet to feature in the Australian Championship and new signings in similar roles mean it will be difficult for Inglese to find game time, despite his important role in the squad earlier in the year. After the injury to Marshall though, a second player injury in central defence may see Inglese get his chance.

Thierry Papadimitriou – Midfielder

Papadimitriou is a South Youth player who impressed at reserve level and received his first senior call up late in the season. His short spell against Avondale was his first time gracing Lakeside as a senior player, but may not be his last with the highly rated midfielder named in the Australian Championship senior squad. In a starting midfield including Pasquali, Giannakopoulos and even Menelaou on occasion it will be tough for the young Papadimitriou to find himself on the pitch in this edition of the tournament.

Manyluak Aguek – Forward

The South Sudanese Striker returned to South Melbourne after an impressive few years away from Lakeside where he managed to nab A-League and International experience. His recent stint at Avondale solidified him as one of the best players in the state and his return to South so far has built on this reputation.

Aguek featured in youth squads and even played four games for the Seniors in his stint at the club. Since re-signing he has already featured in all four match-day squads of the Australian Championship. Aguek has also found himself on the scoresheet twice after a stunning performance against Moreton Bay where he scored with his first touch, and then from half way up the pitch. Aguek as a strikers mentality and will be a critical piece of South’s Australian Championship campaign.

Andrew Mesourouni – Forward

Mesourouni is a forward with a long history at South Melbourne. A product of the Youth academy, Mesourouni first featured for the Senior squad in 2018 before eventually leaving the club for opportunities abroad. After a serviceable season at Port Melbourne where he scored three goals Mesourouni returned to South in 2025. His greatest moment in the blue and white was scoring a last gasp winner against Bentleigh to secure South’s passage in the Dockerty Cup.

Despite South’s wealth of attacking options, Mesourouni has come off the bench a few times in the Australian Championship. The competition for starting spots though means he will need to show something special with his limited minutes to secure more meaningful time on the pitch.

Campbell Dovison – Forward

Dovison is a 19 year old South Melbourne Youth product who enjoyed a breakthrough year in 2025, playing 11 times in the league and proving to be the matchwinner in an unforgettable Dockerty Cup final against Heidelberg United. The young forward scored with his first touch, and (effectively) last touch of the game to give South the famous 2-1 win, and such is the nature of football legend he already finds himself a legend of the club.

In the Australian Championship, Dovison has shows maturity beyond his years, converting a first game substitute performance into a starting spot by round 3. Despite the competition for spots, Dovison has shown he can mix it with the more experienced players in the squad and may be the x-factor later in the tournament that the team needs.