Carl Valeri (C) – 6

Held his ground in midfield and made some key challenges when the Wanderers were looking to take the lead. Valeri was in charge of the back five which – although the slackened a little in the final minutes – kept the Wanderers out to hold onto a point.

Mark Milligan – 7

Marauds the midfield with authority and was in an indirect battle with Bonevacia for the right to be the best box-to-box midfielder on the field. Holds the ball very well and keeps the side tight in midfield.

Matías Sanchez – 7

Complements Milligan well in the box-to-box role. He isn’t as attacking as James Troisi but is a great passer, moves into good positions and has the added benefit of a defensive side. The Victory looked good with him in the midfield three.

Jai Ingham – 6

Was the more threatening of the two Victory wingers and looked free down the right side, as if there was a weight taken off his shoulders. Made runs in the box and to the byline and thrived off being fed by Sanchez and George.

Mitch Austin – 4

Didn’t really do much wrong when on the field except for two minor – but warranted cautions. The first came very early in the game for a careless tackle from behind and the second for impeding a free-kick in the 25th minute.

Leroy George – 7

Fired away the first proper chance of the game and his set pieces were another focal point to the Victory attacking game; he set up Deng’s equaliser. George is Melbourne’s hardest worker around the final third and played as an all-purpose forward.

SUBS

Kenny Athiu – 5

Came on in the 72nd minute. King Kenny lacked a yard having not played since the FFA Cup and only just started training during the week after a toe injury. He’ll be better with more games.

Josh Hope – N/A

Wasn’t on the field long enough.