In a drama-packed match played in front of a season's best 25,897 fans, Heart comprehensively outplayed their higher-rated opponents, taking the early lead through veteran John Aloisi before a clever piece of play from Kevin Muscat set-up Robbie Kruse for an equaliser ten minutes before half time.

But on 56 minutes, Heart regained the ascendency when a sharp low cross from Rutger Worm found Alex Terra unopposed at the back past to volley home.

Carlos Hernandez wasted Victory's best chance to equalise when he put a close-range header over the crossbar.

Things were looking comfortable for Heart until 74 minutes when Aziz Behich, who along with Michael Marrone had been one of the best players on the park, leaned in on a tackle on Kruse and found himself with a second yellow card.

However, a disappointing Victory side, now winless in four matches, couldn't take advantage of the extra man and slip back to sixth on the table on 11 points.

Significantly for Heart, who have had a slow start to their existence, they now find themselves also on 11 points, but in eighth place on goal difference.

Having admitted during the week that their club was overshadowed by the A-League giant across town, this result could well be remember as the night the Heart become much more than a team, but also a club.