The South Melbourne v Heidelberg clash has always been a showpiece event in the Victorian football calendar and another chapter will be written on Friday night when Heidelberg head coach George Katsakis celebrates his 350th game in charge of the storied Club.
Since his appointment in May 2007, Katsakis has lifted the Bergers to one of the most successful Australian Clubs in the 21st century. In his time, the Club has won 3 NPLM Premierships, 1 NPL and State League 1 Championship, 1 Community Shield, 1 Dockerty Cup, and 1 NPL Australia Cup.
The 57-year-old was born in Melbourne to migrants from the northern Greek city of Florina and quickly found Heidelberg as his Club of choice.
Katsakis started playing as a junior at the Club in 1972 where he rose through the youth ranks before representing the club in the NSL Youth League and moving into the senior side.
In 1985, he was elevated to the senior squad and after a stand-out season he was awarded the National Soccer League (NSL) Under-21 Player of the Year and earned a call-up to the Young Socceroos squad. However, a leg break soon after prevented him from reaching his potential, retiring in his early 20s.
“Once I recovered from the break, I found myself not ready to be playing professional football anymore and I thought I could get into coaching,” Katsakis explained.
Following a brief assistant coach stint at the Bergers, Katsakis knew he needed to “climb the coaching ladder” and gain valuable experience.
He started his coaching journey in the Provisional League, before finding himself at the junior set-ups of NSL sides South Melbourne and Carlton. He accepted his first senior coaching gig at Brunswick before enhancing his reputation through successive promotions at Northcote City and Kingston City.
Having made a name for himself in the Victorian coaching scene, there was considerable interest in his services in 2007, however, he knew he wanted to “return home”.
“I think the timing was perfect from both ends, it just felt right,” Katsakis said.
“With Heidelberg being the Club where I grew up as a junior, played senior football and sat on the board, there was no place I would have rather be.”
Over his 17 years at the helm, Katsakis said there were plenty of good memories, but achievement stood out to him.
“Winning the NPL Australian Championship is quite significant for me,” he stated.
“We are the first Victorian side to ever win it, it is pretty special.”
Heidelberg defeated the Brisbane Strikers 2-0 at Parry Park to claim the title of Australia’s top NPL side for 2017.
The Championship win capped off a terrific season for the Bergers, winning the NPL Victoria Premier’s Plate, Dockerty Cup and automatic qualification for the 2018 FFA Cup Round of 32.
“The win against Perth Glory in the 2017 FFA Cup was another top moment for me,” he said.
“I think that was one of those moments that as a coach you can cherish, having beaten an A-league team.”
Heidelberg defeated the A-League side 1-0 with Kenny Athiu scoring the solitary goal, sending a crowd of almost 3,000 at Olympic Village into a frenzy.
“Also having won so many trophies for the Club I grew up to love and also grew up playing with means the world to me,” Katsakis continued.
“We won eight trophies in the space of three years which is pretty significant, they are all memorable moments.
“I cherish every single one of those moments.”
With the possibility of a National Second Division, Katsakis was excited by what the future could bring.
“On a personal level I think having being at the helm for so long and being very successful the dream of taking the Club into a B League is what I am looking forward to,” he said.
“I think the B League would be an amazing journey for me, especially with Heidelberg and the club that I have been able to achieve everything with - it is my ultimate goal.”
Nearly two decades into the job, Katsakis doesn’t look like slowing down, as he still has the hunger for more success at his beloved Club.
“Coaching is one of those things that gives me another avenue away from my day-to-day life,” he said.
“I am a restaurant owner and own several businesses and have had a lot of challenges, football is my outlet as it allows me to express myself while playing and now coaching the game I love.
I wouldn’t say I am a sore loser but I don’t take losing easily, winning itself is what drives me to want to coach and make sure I am always a winner, coaching gives me another avenue to life.
“The club itself is where I grew up as an infant, my family will be forever linked with the Club.
“Heidelberg is family and as long as I am fit and healthy, I want to continue forever.”