It was a Grand Final re-match marked by two key features; the emphatic return to form by Johnny Warren Medallist Carlos Hernandez, who set-up one goal and scored another, and the continued fall from grace for Sydney, who looked limp and lifeless and barely mustered a threat on Melbourne's goal.

Victory responded brilliantly to their season's worst effort against cross-town rival Heart last week, returning to form on the back of their Costa Rican's efforts with the dead ball and in front of goal.

Hernandez delivered a perfect free kick to set up Rody Vargas for the opener on 19 minutes before he scored his first goal of the season three minutes into the second half after latching on to Tom Pondeljak's cross to score a rare header.

Pondeljak also played a part in the third goal in the dying minutes, playing a long ball for Robbie Kruse to run onto and finish well.

The simple nature of the final two goals was a good representation of how disappointing Sydney were.

It was too easy for Melbourne and the Sky Blues looked far from the disciplined and well-organised unit which claimed ultimate glory, albeit by penalties, when they last visited this ground seven months ago.

They now travel to Perth next week in match which both teams will be desperate to win - Sydney because they have just four points - and no wins - from their opening ten matches and Glory as they have now lost their past five and are in danger of losing touch with the top six.

Victory, who temporarily go to fourth with this result, travel to Brisbane to play the Roar next Saturday having run their most important player back into form and secured their equal-best win of the season.

Melbourne Victory 3 (Vargas 19', Hernandez 48', Kruse 89')
Sydney FC 0
Crowd: 17,299 at Etihad Stadium