A good crowd of 25,622 fans saw a match which only sprang to life in the final 25 minutes when striker Archie Thompson made the first goal and scored the second. Up till that point, it had been a frustrating night with few chances and errors across the park.

Victory are now firmly entrenched in the top four and beginning to show signs of their old self.

The hero for the home side Archie Thompson said after the match that he was relieved. "It's been a long time coming and I think a lot of the guys thought we should've got three points in some of the first matches, but thanks to my trusty Powerade... it was a good win."

In response to his famous goal celebration, Thompson added: "It's been a long time, that corner flag has just been eyeing me off for the last couple of weeks and it's just finally good to get a win, especially in front of our crowd who are still coming out in numbers and they are still beleiving us.

"We proved a point tonight that we are still a good championship side."

The champions started with Daniel Allsopp, back after a rib injury, alongside Leandro Love and Archie Thompson in a three pronged attack. The injured Matt Kemp made way but there was no starting berth for Adrian Caceres or Carlos Hernandez. Kaz Patafta wasn't even on the bench.

In for Roar was defender Sasa Ognenovski and Massimo Murdocca slotting into the midfield.

With the roof closed and another excitable crowd in, all was set for another big night at the Dome as Ben Williams – a late replacement for an ill Mark Shield – blew his whistle for the start of the game.

It was a scrappy opening. Marcinho's long range snap shot after just two minutes the first goal attempt but it flew just wide of the Victory goal.

Roar had the most of the early possession but neither side created another clear chance until the 21st minute when Queensland's Danny Tiatto's free-kick from just outside the box failed to find the target.

Murdocca broke clear shortly after but he screwed his shot high over the bar.

Queensland were successfully pinning Melbourne back in their own half in the first 25 minutes but neither side really looked like scoring.

Melbourne's first shot on goal was a great opportunity to break the deadlock. A driving ball from deep found Love wide right, the Brazilian crossed low to Allsopp but the Socceroo slammed the ball wide while under pressure.

And minutes later Grant Brebner pick-pocketed the Roar midfield but shot well over.

Queensland won the first corner of the game on 36 minutes and McKay's drilled cross found Danny Tiatto outside the box but the former Socceroo's shot went well over.

Good work from Leigh Broxham released Love on 40 minutes but the Brazilian's touch was just off and the chance was cleared by the Roar defence.

After the break, the clash livened up somewhat when Brebner was carded after a late challenge on Murdocca.

And shortly after, Tiatto manhandled Daniel Piorkowski after the Victory man obstructed his opponent with both players falling into the Roar bench.

No cards were given with both players perhaps lucky not to have gone into the book, but Piorkowski did go in the book after 57 minutes when he fouled an opponent.

Victory strikers were dropping deep just to find the ball as the game continued on its frustrating way with almost no chances created until Craig Moore popped up with a golden chance to open the scoring.

The defender ghosted into the Victory box and was found with a cross but after controlling the ball, he placed his shot past Theoklitos but it was cleared off the line by a defender.

Victory's Adrian Caceres was brought on to replace Allsopp after 60 minutes to add some quality in wide areas.

McKay did well to get past Broxham minutes later but his cut in then shot ended up high and wide. But at this stage it was Roar which was the dominant side.

Finally, the game sprang to life on 66 minutes. Archie Thompson broke clear and smashed a curling shot that rattled the cross bar. From the resulting tussle for the loose ball, Love was brought down by Ognenovski and a penalty was awarded.

Muscat held his nerve to send Reddy the wrong way to open the champions' goal account at home and give them a perhaps lucky lead.

Victory suddenly moved up a gear as players lifted across the park. The relief was palpable around Telstra Dome.

Roar brought on Ante Milicic and Michael Zullo with 20 minutes to go as Frank Farina went for broke.

Keenan brought down Tiatto with a lunge and a furious Tiatto remonstrated with the Englishman.

Then Josh McLoughlan was brought down outside the box but was waved away by the referee as pulses were raised in the final stanza.

However, Roar should've been back in the game after Zullo's brilliant header hit the post. He snapped at the loose ball and it squirted wide but this was a lucky let off for Victory.

Seb Ryall came on for Keenan after 78 minutes as Victory looked to consolidate its gains.

Another card was shown, this time to Murdocca, who brought down a breaking Leigh Broxham in midfield.

Zullo again was in the frame with a good low cross into Reinaldo but, amid claims the Brazilian was brought down by Steve Pantelidis, the ball was cleared.

Thompson ended Roar hopes after Love found his fellow striker with a clever lob and the Socceroo powered it home for the second with seven minutes left.

The fans were in raptures and Victory finally relaxed and looked to expose defensive space as Roar pushed forward in vain.

Thompson came off with a minute left and he received a deserved standing ovation.

FOURFOURTWO SAYS
Tonight showed that the Victory juggernaut is now back on track. It may not be running with last season's smooth engine, but the quality is there and finally there appears to be belief. It was a struggle, but they are now unbeaten after six and will go into next week's blockbuster with Sydney in very good heart. As for Roar, they aren't a bad side. Right now, though, they just can't seem to score.