Mental fragility

While overall, the performances of Victory's youth products this season have been largely praiseworthy, the same sticking points appear to consistently raise their inexperienced heads.

The profligacy in front of goal is a serious issue - Victory's attackers exhibit excellent qualities, they're well drilled and they're all capable players who have clearly developed strong physical or technical attributes - or both. 

But when they channel through on goal they can rarely, if ever, find the back of the net. It's becoming an ugly black mark on the standard of coaching in the league. Performances like Josh Hope's, including an amateurish penalty giveaway that all but ended the contest for Victory, they're to be expected with age.

But at some point you have to wonder where the goals are going to come from at the other end.