Melbourne Victory visit Newcastle Jets in Round 2 of the Isuzu UTE A-League on Friday, October 24, kick-off 7.35pm AEDT.
Our first away trip of 2025/26 will be the 56th meeting in the competition between Victory and the Jets, with the first, just over 20 years ago, delivering the Club’s maiden three points courtesy of an Archie Thompson goal.
Another maximum will be the target for Arthur Diles’ side at McDonald Jones Stadium, as they look to build on their draw against Auckland FC against a Newcastle outfit who suffered an opening round loss to their New South Wales neighbours, Central Coast Mariners.
The Boys in Blue
Melbourne Victory head into their 550th A-League Men’s game well stocked, with the off-season’s exhaustive recruitment effort putting the Club in a strong position to fight at the top despite a selection of long-term injuries.
Versus Auckland last weekend, Lecce loanee Sebastian Esposito delivered a composed performance at the back in the absence of Roderick Miranda (foot) and Joshua Rawlins (suspended), and Xavier Stella looked at home in the midfield battleground on his first senior appearance, as Louis D’Arrigo was sidelined.
Denis Genreau made a seamless return to our domestic competition, earning the broadcast’s player of the match award, and Keegan Jelacic went closest to breaking the deadlock, whilst fellow attackers Reno Piscopo and Nishan Velupillay were absent through injury.
There was also the small matter of Juan Mata’s Victory debut. The 2010 World Cup winner, following his arrival in the last breaths of the transfer window, played the final 22 minutes as he continues to track positively.
Round 2 Squad: 2. Jason DAVIDSON, 3. Adama TRAORE, 4. Lachlan JACKSON, 8. Jordi VALADON, 9. Nikolaos VERGOS, 10. Denis GENREAU, 11. Clerismario SANTOS RODRIGUES, 14. Matthew GRIMALDI, 15. Sebastian ESPOSITO, 16. Joshua INSERRA, 19. Jing REEC, 22. Joshua RAWLINS, 23. Keegan JELACIC, 25. Jack DUNCAN, 28. Kayne RAZMOVSKI, 29. Oliver DRAGICEVIC, 34. Xavier STELLA, 35. Malik OLUKHALE, 40. Jack WARSHAWSKY, 64. Juan MATA
Ins: 22. Joshua RAWLINS (return from suspension), 34. Xavier STELLA (promoted) 35. Malik OLUKHALE (promoted)
Outs: 27. Louis D’ARRIGO (injured), 21. Roderick MIRANDA (injured)
Unavailable: 5. Brendan HAMILL (long-term injury)
The Jets
The newly-crowned Australia Cup winners looked set to continue the feel-good factor under new boss, and former Victory player, Mark Milligan, but their dream of F3 derby glory turned into a nightmare during a dramatic conclusion in Gosford.
There are, however, reasons for optimism despite the late collapse. Last term’s second top scorer, Lachlan Rose, opened his account, and former Victory player Alex Badolato, who joined from Western Sydney Wanderers during the off-season, was also on target.
He was one of eight new arrivals as Milligan builds a squad looking to better 2024/25’s ninth-place finish. These included midfielder Max Burgess and goalkeeper James Delianov from Sydney FC and Adelaide United, respectively, along with Irish defender Joe Shaughnessy, who most recently represented St Mirren and Dundee in Scotland and could debut.
But whatever is achieved in this campaign, their 3-1 triumph over Heidelberg United in the Australia Cup Final, which ended a 17-year trophy drought, ensures Newcastle will be playing AFC Champions League Two qualification football next year.
Run it back
The teams last faced off on the final day of the 2024/25 regular season, playing out a 1-1 draw in Melbourne. Victory looked set for success courtesy of a fine Kasey Bos finish immediately after the restart, but they were made to settle for a point late on when Clayton Taylor equalised for the visitors.
Last time out
Melbourne Victory gave an early indication of their pedigree as they earned a point against last term’s pacesetters Auckland FC at AAMI Park.
The hosts, back in front of the Victory family, crafted out the contest’s best opportunity shortly before the interval. Jordi Valadon crossed from the right, and debutant Keegan Jelacic met it cleanly on the volley, only to be denied by Michael Woud’s diving stop.
Arthur Diles introduced Matthew Grimaldi and Juan Mata for their first competitive minutes during the second half, as well as adding Jing Reec in one last push for a winner, but the deadlock could not be broken.
Newcastle saw the prospect of a win become a devastating defeat in an action-packed conclusion to their Round 1 clash with Central Coast Mariners.
Alex Badolato’s opener was overturned by the half-hour mark as Alfie McCalmont netted a penalty and Miguel Di Pizio converted coolly from the edge of the box. The Jets would level through Lachlan Rose 10 minutes from time and had the chance to take derby bragging rights in injury time when they were awarded a penalty.
However, Eli Adams’ penalty was saved, and in the aftermath, Central Coast flooded forward to scramble a winner through Nicholas Duarte.
