Derby wins are always sweeter than others, as I found out leaving Etihad Stadium on Saturday night. A 2-1 win to the Victory was completed by goals from Archie Thompson and a Mark Milligan spot-kick, here is why it happened:

Melbourne

Wingers to the fore

The decisive factor in the ninth Melbourne derby proved undoubtedly to be Thompson and Marco Rojas. Able to turn Heart’s aggressive pressing against them, the pair repeatedly got behind rookie full-backs Jeremy Walker and Sam Mitchinson. The first goal was the prime example as Marcos Flores played a well-weighted ball to Thompson, who did the rest. Even more was to come over the second half, as Victory turned matters their way.

Second half press and advantage

As Victory was able to work through the opposition press, space was restricted in defence and opened up offensively. Victory imposed their press their way, but couldn’t take advantage in front of goal. Putting pressure on high up was clearly the objective of both sides, Victory recovered from a shaky start to carry out their game to get the result.

Early change and the impact

Jonathan Bru replaced Nick Ansell as a result of injury midway through the second half, Leigh Broxham was to replace him in defence and the Mauritian international took a place in midfield. Bru hasn’t been given enough regular football to impress, but he more than filled in midfield ably. The defence held tight late on in the second 45 to close out the game.

Taking chances on youth

Connor Pain and Sam Galloway joined Ansell, Andrew Nabbout, Francesco Stella, Luke O’Dea and Chris Cristaldo as Melbourne’s young debutants this season. Galloway had the task of minding David Williams and at times Golgol Mebrahtu, he played his part without fear and well but has work to do on positioning, which is to be expected. Pain came off the bench as the fresh legs late on and looked to attack whenever given the opportunity.

The penalty

Jonatan Germano was outpointed in a position where the only option was to connect with Flores (who worked himself into the prime position) and foul him. Plenty of blame is assigned to referees, but why it happened and positioning is never the calm topic of discussion, why was the ball in the box? What could the defender have done? Or is the ref really a dunce? As an aside, John Aloisi’s comments on Flores didn’t help matters, but were understandable in the heat of the post-game press conference.

Heart

The press

Heart are usually so well prepared for derbies and version nine proved no exception. Their press and aggression had them in the ascendancy early on, they should have grabbed an early lead but were denied by an overall magnificent performance from Nathan Coe. Whilst this proved to be a key strength for the Heart, this also left their “big brother” something to exploit. This performance also begs the question, where is this preparation and execution in other games?

Full-backs

It is always harsh to pick on the kids, but would this result have been different had Aziz Behich and Michael Marrone been on the park? Walker and Mitchinson acquitted themselves well, but when they sat high they didn’t have enough support to deal with it. As Victory played through the middle and went wide at the last moment, Heart’s midfielders would be pulled out of position.

Front half pairing

Eli Babalj and Josip Tadic were paired up the front for the first time, we’re going to have to wait and see how it will turn out after Tadic was a forced substitution with a suspected broken toe. The worry is that the Heart attack is heavier and less fluid with the pair of them in there. Tadic can hold up play, but how quick is Babalj to continuously run off him? Heart looked better served when Mebrahtu and Williams ran off Babalj and got into wide spaces. Babalj, Tadic and Macallister are more or less the same striker, how Aloisi manages them is a question for longer term.

Williams unlocking defence

Just pipped by Andrew Redmayne’s performance for Heart man of the match honours, Williams looked the best chance for the “visiting” side to snatch point or all three. Operating on the left and right over the 90, his touch, run and goal to give the Heart late hope was classy and just showed what he can do if given a chance.

Redmayne’s performance

Dealing with a replacement for Clint Bolton got a whole lot easier for Aloisi and co. after Saturday. Some stunning saves pulled off by the ex-Roar understudy kept the Heart in the game in the second half. This game always looked likely to be decided by moments, Redmayne’s saves were huge in that context. Mebrahtu, Williams, Redmayne, Walker and Mitchinson should form the next generation of the “little brother” club, the Heart are in good hands.