The fifth and possibly biggest Melbourne derby took place two days before Christmas in front of a sell-out crowd of nearly 27,000 people. As a fan, I’ve never experienced such a build-up, it was a great occasion here is what I took from it:

Melbourne Victory

1. Same old (frustrating) story

As has happened for most of the season, Victory threw away a great start and lead to drop a game. They didn’t play the full 90 minutes. They swarmed all over Heart for most of the first half and should have been more than 1-0 up early. I believe it is more of a concentration issue than a fitness issue, silly brain fades are costing points.

2. Lost opportunities

There are a few ‘what ifs’ from this match for Victory. ‘What if’ Carlos Hernandez put away that penalty, ‘what if’ Victory took their chances in the first half and ‘what if’ some refereeing decisions went their way? There were missed opportunities to either draw or win this game and they weren’t taken. I get the feeling that Victory will be rueing this one for a while.

3. Should Grant Brebner have played?

I wouldn’t have him in my starting XI week in, week out, but in this game I would have. Why? mainly because of experience and passing game. I would have omitted Broxham, who was his usual loyal bulldog self, but not the anchor/passer Brebner would have been. Heart coach van’t Schip admitted they left Broxham on the ball, I doubt they would have allowed that with Brebner there. Experience outweighs form in these clashes and I would’ve gone for the experience of Brebner in that position.

4. Celeski’s absence hurt 

I never thought I’d be writing this after his start to the season, but in midfield he was missed in this match. He was in good form against Wellington and fits well into Mehm’s narrow diamond system. His passing is better than Broxham and Ferreira and he compliments Carlos, who operates as the deep-lying playmaker. Celeski has been, lately, a crucial, solid part of the Melbourne midfield and that was missed in the derby.

5. Brisbane on New Year’s Eve

Never has a game between two struggling sides been so intriguing, and it will be on New Year’s Eve at Suncorp. I don’t think Victory have a better chance to beat Brisbane than now, consider how they are going.

It is quite amazing to see how far Brisbane dropped off since their record-breaking 4-0 win over Perth, and that feels like an age ago. The absence of Broich, teams playing better and confidently against them and not playing at their usual standard has combined to send them on a five game losing streak, one I’m not sure when will be ended

Melbourne Heart

1. Deserved winners

It was a great effort from a poor early start to lead 2-1 at half-time, a much better second half made sure Heart got the points, which they deserved at the end. They possibly could have had 5 by full-time and had it not been for Ante Covic and poor finishing they would have. The win takes Heart to second spot on the table.

2. Took their opportunities

The big players for Heart won the match for them. Bolton, Fred, Thompson and Terra all played big parts in the 3-2 win. Bolton made huge saves, Fred controlled midfield and helped out Srhoj to curb Hernandez, Matt Thompson worked hard and got his team in front and Alex Terra sealed the win with a goal. In a key difference with Victory, all their big time, big name important players stood up at the moments needed to score a huge derby win.

3. Great blend of youth and experience

Behich, Marrone and Dugandzic complimented the likes of Bolton, Fred and Thompson in the derby. In particular, Marrone and Dugandzic gave Fabio a tough job all night on the flank.  In what has been a major bonus for Heart, the young players are coming along well, in particular Behich and Marrone at full-back. Babalj also offers another option up the front as a taller option. It is quite interesting to see the likes of Srhoj, Worm, Terra, Colosimo being kept out of the side at different parts of the season. The younger players are leading the way there.

4. A bit of controversy

As was bound to happen in this game, there was some controversy in particular with some refereeing decisions. Three decisions, the Bolton yellow card, Matt Thompson possibly offside (which lead to a goal) and what appeared to be a handball from Alex Terra (which lead to their third goal) all impacted on the game. If one or two of those decisions are called then the game changes.

However, I do think the refs got the Bolton yellow right and Alex Terra decision right. Refereeing decisions usually even out, someway somehow. As Mehm Durakovic would say “that’s football”. My idea is that if you play well enough, you will usually get the right result for yourself.

5. Second of the league

It has been a great turnaround for Heart, who couldn’t buy a win in the opening rounds. Their biggest positive is their mixed squad and the football that van’t  Schip and his coaching team are trying to introduce at the club. If they keep going the way they are they will be a challenger for the title. However I still rate Central Coast Mariners ahead of them, Heart still need to keep improving and it will be interesting to see how they progress to finals.

Last thought

As a fan, I have never experienced such an atmosphere at a game. The build-up to this derby was huge and something I won’t forget any time soon. It makes me wonder what two teams could be for Sydney. The crowd was generally well-behaved in the ground, but there were minor incidents with some Heart fans lighting a flare and Victory fans throwing bottles onto the ground at the end and clashing with security and each other, although it must be noted all parties were to blame there.

Sorry if this post is a little late, but I wanted to write this with a clear head which I couldn’t do immediately post-game. I hope you have all enjoyed Christmas and all the best in the New Year to all of you.

Cheers,

Katie Lambeski