The Victory coach was delighted to see his team earn a 1-0 victory at Queensland Roar on Saturday night, courtesy of a 71st minute goal from the returning Archie Thompson.

The win followed Melbourne's triumph in Adelaide last week so Merrick was particularly happy.

He said: "Queensland gave us a tough time of it in the first half, they closed everything down, tried to stop our inter-passing, but we came out in the second half and the lead up to the goal was good.

"Billy (Celeski) hit the post, but we were playing really good football and we killed the game off in the last 10 minutes.

"The Roar to their credit gave us a really tough match, I think there are a lot of sore bodies in both teams and fortunately we've got a two-week break before the next game."

Merrick added: "To get six points from two games on the road and to see Archie, Ney Fabiano and Dan (Allsopp) link up so well."

"We're on track to make the finals.

"Ney Fabiano, despite what he was charged with and suspended for, I'm telling you he's a really good person, he's a good bloke to have around the team.

"He's one of those import players that have come in and he's just adjusted to the culture and he just laughs at training all the time."

"When you have that ability to all relate so well to each other socially, I think it carries into the football world, this year we've got some really good mateship in the team."

Goalscorer Thompson said: "We played well. Once we got the goal I didn't think we were going to concede."