AT THE game last Friday night, I noticed a few interesting things about the Victory players.

Firstly, that Archie and Nick look a bit freaky with facial hair. Secondly, Carlos needs to do a few more laps at training. And finally, that over half of Victory’s starting team were local Melbourne boys.

I’m pretty stoked about that last observation actually. At a time when many of the top EPL teams struggle to include more than a handful of Englishmen on the pitch, Victory can field six Melbournians! They’re not just token players or benchwarmers either but integral parts of our Team.

So let’s take a closer look...Our talismanic captain has always been a warrior on the pitch. Even though he wasn’t born in Melbourne, his toughness must be from his early days playing in Sunshine (you have to be tough to leave your house in Sunshine let alone play football).

Then there’s Danny. This guy never stops running. I reckon it’s because he’s been all over the suburbs playing football, starting out at Monbulk before heading to Knox and then Croydon.

Roddy is another one who has played all over town launching his career out at Springvale. I bet you when Roddy was playing for Green Gully, he would’ve laughed if you’d told him he’d be a Championship player and Victory medallist one day.

Add in the remaining three and Victory have most of Melbourne covered. From Theo starting out east with Bulleen to Tom kicking it westside at St Albans. Let’s not forget the north, with it being very capably represented by Billy (Preston).

Leigh, a substitute on Friday night, played his early football at Knox. If I was being really cheeky, I could even make a case for Archie and Ernie being Melbourne boys too (but that would be pushing it).

Sure there are reasons for so many local boys being in the team – like the foreign player cap and the small size of the A-League when compared to those overseas (both in terms of money and number of teams). There are heaps more reasons too...But hey, I’ve never been one to let the facts get in the way of a feel good story.

My point is that a lot of our Victory boys are truly Melbourne boys and there’s nothing quite like a team of hometown heroes. On some subconscious level, I reckon that’s one of the main reasons why I dig the Victory - I feel I can relate to the players because they’ve grown up here and played their football in my neighbourhood.

They understand this city and what the Victory stands for and means to supporters...Anyone noticed the Eureka Flag in the dressing rooms lately? I reckon the boys are pretty in tune with this town.

Tristram is a Victory fan and wishes he could say that a knee injury curtailed his promising football career.