Veteran forward Danny Allsopp was also on target as Victory ended their pre-season tour of Tasmania in emphatic style, charging to a 2-0 lead in the opening minutes.

The more than 3100 fans who braved chilly conditions at Aurora Stadium to witness the action between the A-League arch rivals didn’t have long to wait.

Victory found the back of the net twice in the first 12 minutes when both Allsopp and Thompson capitalised on some sloppy defending by the Reds.

A Thompson header from a Finkler corner made it 3-0 before Adelaide’s Dario Vidosic clawed one back on half-time with a long range rocket past Melbourne keeper Tando Velaphi.

Victory coach Ange Postecoglou rang the changes in the second half bringing in former Reds hero Marcos Flores.

The midfield maestro almost punished his former club, playing Marco Rojas through on goal but the New Zealander was unable to find the back of the net.

Finkler again showed his class in the 77th minute, combining with Rojas and converting from close range before Sergio van Dijk grabbed a late consolation goal for the Reds.