Things seem to happen when these two meet. In what felt like a final, another potential game of the season played out as Melbourne Victory and Central Coast Mariners couldn’t be split in Launceston. Find out why right here…

Victory

The chances
Coulda, shoulda, woulda, what might have been. It would not be unreasonable to suggest that might have been running through some of the Victory player/coaching staff minds' post-game. Oh well. Tough. Victory can ill afford that mentality for long however. Much rather take the lessons from the game, no matter the ‘dominance’ or ‘creating chances’, it is all on the scoreboard.

Play through midfield/back
This was the most impressive part of the performance, most of it coming in the first half. Able to cut through the midfield and Pedj Bojic’s right flank, Victory did as they pleased and left the league leaders shaken. Mark Milligan, Billy Celeski and Adama Traore led much of the pressure. The Mariners were, and still are, a benchmark for Victory to knock off. There are many positives to take from the performance.

The skipper, that penalty, the reaction
Coming off the low base on which he began his season, Adrian Leijer has been solid (along with Adama Traore) as the leader and wise head in defence. To add, his presence is instrumental to Nick Ansell’s development. The skipper forced into a costly mistake by the slippery Michael McGlinchey, but that shouldn’t justify taking the armband off him as some suggested. It is odd how quick some are to praise in one second, then cut down the next.

Dilevski in midfield
He’s come in to replace Gui Finkler in recent weeks, but not as a like-for-like replacement. As a result, there has been a change in the way Victory form in midfield but not play. The journeyman utility player has started his Victory venture slowly, but put in a decent 62 minutes shift in midfield on Saturday to stake his claim as Gui’s replacement for the rest of this season.

How far from a title shot?
Melbourne are becoming more and more convincing as contenders this season. Had this result went their way; the lid may have been off. They may be two players away from that challenge however. Finding a veteran centre-back and a ‘true’ striker in the transfer market may be the difference maker. A mobile, proven striker could draw Flores back to his best and be another option when Plan A fails. This would involve harsh calls on Dilevski and Ansell, but Ange has shown a ruthless streak recently, will that continue?

Mariners

Leaking first half
Not something you would associate with Graham Arnold’s team, it was a surprise to see them open and dissected on Bojic’s flank in particular. That can’t be pinned to the often-rampaging fullback, as the midfield (McGlinchey on the right) was drawn out too far into midfield, which left Bojic isolated and outnumbered. After the hairdryer treatment was dished out by Arnie at half-time, the Mariners tightened up and then attacked to snatch the point.

Rose’s run instrumental
A series of mazey runs from Josh Rose on his left flank over the second half gave the Gosford mob an attacking outlet that tested the Victory defence, Diogo Ferreira especially. Like most of his teammates, Rose was invisible in the first half but got forward and got into the game in the second half. 

Penalty earned
Through sustained pressure and a vastly improved second half, the Mariners built enough pressure to get the ball into that area for that fateful Adrian Leijer challenge. The penalty didn’t just happen; it had the impact it did because of the misfiring Victory attack and a penalty miss. Just one moment has the cruel ability to decide games; the Mariners made that happen with a much-improved second half.

Should Montgomery have seen red?
Arguably the former Blade should have received a second yellow for giving away a penalty with a foul on Marco Rojas. It was a close call, but he got the better end of the stick and the side was kept to XI men. His manager is no fool either. Rather than play with fire, Arnold removed Montgomery before the half-time break.

Off their game, but a result
For a half at least, this was accurate. Make no mistake; this is the team to beat from here on. With this result, a seven point gap has now opened between them and third-placed Victory and it would take something spectacular for them to drop their ACL spot. Can’t help but have a respect for the Mariners and what they’re about.