Melbourne Victory continued their excellent pre-season form by beating Oakleigh Cannons 1-2 on Thursday night.
Giovanni Savarese’s team ran out deserved winners against the 2026 Senol NPL Victoria Premiers at Jack Edwards Reserve.
Franco Lino’s first-half header was added to early in the second period when Keegan Jelacic tapped in before a late consolation for Oakleigh, as Victory got another valuable hitout ahead of their Hahn Australia Cup Semi-Final tie against Sydney FC next week.
Team News
Eight of the starters from the Australia Cup Quarter-Final versus APIA Leichhardt were in from the first whistle, with the three fresh faces being Tom Lockyer, Xavier Stella and, for the first time this pre-season, midfielder Denis Genreau. They replaced Louis D’Arrigo, Jelacic and Santos, who were on an extended substitute list.
Match Action
Victory enjoyed the brighter start in the south-east suburbs, largely operating in the opposition’s half, but neither a Charles Nduka header nor a speculative long-ranger from Jordi Valadon threatened the goal.
At the other end, as they found their feet, Oakleigh kept Jack Duncan honest through efforts from Adem Duratovic and Campbell Strong.
The ball would be in the net after 19 minutes. Genreau headed in from close range, only for an infringement in the build-up to keep the scores level.
10 minutes later, it would count. Joshua Inserra crossed from the right, and Lino met the delivery to put the visitors ahead.
Half-time: Oakleigh Cannons 0-1 Melbourne Victory
There were 10 changes made by Savarese at the break, with just Lockyer surviving from the first-half, and Harry Sawyer almost netted instantly, striking the outside of the post.
It would not take long, though, for another substitute to make it two. Santos did brilliantly on the left, and his low centre was converted by Jelacic from close range.
More fine work from Santos, including a superb first touch on the run, was nearly tucked away by Sawyer on the stretch. Then a neat corner routine opened up for Jack Mihailidis, whose shot was always rising.
A third goal promised to arrive in the closing stages, and would have been deserved for Santos’ energetic performance, but his curling strike crashed against the crossbar.
The night’s final act would be an Oakleigh one, when the hosts, through Brodie Boyce, headed in the last touch of the match.
Match Details
Oakleigh Cannons 1 (BOYCE 90+3′)
Melbourne Victory 2 (LINO 29′, Jelacic 50′)
Melbourne Victory starting XI: Jack DUNCAN (GK) (Jack WARSHAWSKY 46′), Joshua INSERRA (Harry SHILLINGTON 46′), Tom LOCKYER, Philipp ZIEREIS (Brendan HAMILL 46′), Jason DAVIDSON (C) (William KENGNI 46′), Matthew GRIMALDI (Malik OLUKHALE 46′), Jordi VALADON (Louis D’ARRIGO 46′), Xavier STELLA (Jack MIHAILIDIS 46′), Franco LINO (SANTOS 46′), Denis GENREAU (Keegan JELACIC 46′), Charles NDUKA (Harry SAWYER 46′).
Substitutes not used: CAROCCI, Noah TANFARA.
Booking: Lockyer.
