Over three months ago, the Mariners headed to Etihad Stadium to open the A-League season aas massive underdogs. They caused a huge upset by earning a 2-0 win.
  
Matt Simon and Michael McGlinchey scored the yellow and navy's goals in the opening 15 minutes to shellshock the Premiers that night, and Simon is hopeful the visitors can do it again.
 
"Our first game down there this season was a great result for the team, and I got my first goal down there. Hopefully we can repeat that same result, and hopefully I can get on the scoresheet," said Simon.
 
But Simon is aware there's been a lot of water under the bridge since that Thursday night in August, and Victory are going to be more formidable opponents this time around.
 
"They're on fire at the moment, they've won six out of their last seven so it's going to be tough going down to Melbourne as it always is," he said.
 
"We're just going to have to train well this week and have a good game plan, as we did last time, stick that out, and hopefully we can get a good result."
 
The Mariners may be in fourth spot, three points off third placed side Gold Coast United, but only four clear of the bottom of the A-League ladder.
 
With Gold Coast clashing with top-of-the-table Sydney FC, Saturday represents a golden opportunity to move into third place and close the gap on the top two, while distancing themselves from the danger zone.
 
"Especially in this stage where we have five games away from home, and while drawing on the weekend was disappointing, jumping a spot on goal difference makes it a little bit better," said Simon.
 
"We have to keep in touch with those top two teams, and winning this Saturday night will go a long way to doing that."
 
With five goals already under his belt this campaign, Simon is hoping to hit the target more over the next 14 weeks to aid his club's charge toward the title and also put his name in the frame for more Qantas Socceroo accolades, with Pim Verbeek likely to use local players for future AFC Asian Cup qualifiers.
 
Simon added: "I want to try to hit the targets I hit last year. Hopefully I can get a bit more consistency going, and it starts this weekend."
 
Simon, and the rest of his Central Coast teammates will be vying for the inaugural Epworth ABI Cup at Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
 
In a joint venture between Melbourne Victory, TAC, Epworth HealthCare and Victoria Police, the Epworth ABI Cup will help raise awareness of Acquired Brain Injury and the community cost of road trauma.