Melbourne Victory Men will play their final regular season game at AAMI Park on Sunday, May 4, hosting the Newcastle Jets in Victory’s Member Recognition Round.
Booking their place in the Isuzu Ute A-League Finals Series after an all-important 2-1 away win over Macarthur FC, Victory will be keen to win on Sunday and secure a home elimination final.
While Victory and the Jets have historically had a tight head-to-head record, playing at AAMI Park has been a strength in recent times for Victory against the Novocastrian-based team.
Melbourne Victory
Playing out the league’s final regular season game, victory will be of the utmost importance to Arthur Diles’ side.
Winning four out of their last six games, another three points on the board will allow Victory the possibility to jump above their current fifth position on the ladder, meaning they will have the opportunity to play a home final at AAMI Park next weekend.
Opening the scoring early at Campbelltown Stadium thanks to a stunning Ryan Teague strike, Victory managed to go two up in the 36th minute thanks to some excellent build-up play that was finished off emphatically by Kasey Bos.
Conceding a goal to the Bulls in the 68th minute, Victory fought valiantly to deny the home side of an equaliser and as a result confirmed their place in the top six.
Jack Duncan pulled off several big stops in his return between the sticks, while 20-year-old Joshua Inserra rightfully received many plaudits for his performance on the right side of defence.
Defeating the Newcastle Jets in a thrilling 5-3 win the last time the two teams met at AAMI Park, a Bruno Four-goal-naroli performance inspired the Vuck to glory back in October 2023.
Round 29 Squad
3. Adama TRAORE, 4. Lachlan JACKSON, 5. Brendan HAMILL, 6. Ryan Teague, 7. Daniel ARZANI, 8. Zinedine MACHACH, 9. Nikolaos VERGOS, 10. Bruno FORNAROLI, 11. Clerismario SANTOS RODRIGUES, 14. Jordi VALADON, 16. Joshua INSERRA, 17. Nishan VELUPILLAY, 18. Fabian MONGE, 19. Jing REEC, 21. Roderick MIRANDA, 22. Joshua RAWLINS, 23. Alexander BADOLATO, 25. Jack DUNCAN, 28. Kasey Bos, 30. Daniel GRASKOSKI
Ins: 3. Adama TRAORE (promoted), 11. Clerismario SANTOS RODRIGUES (promoted)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: Nil
Newcastle Jets
Mounting a late Finals charge with a seven-game undefeated streak marked by four wins, a couple of difficult results ultimately killed the Jets’ momentum and ability to make the top six.
While the Jets recorded a mighty impressive 6-0 triumph in the F3 Derby over the Central Coast Mariners in Round 26, that was the only win Rob Stanton’s side has recorded in their last six outings.
Taking on Victory at McDonald Jones Stadium back in Round 18 this season, three goals scored in additional time saw the Jets defeat Victory – gathering late momentum in the clash and capitalising to full effect.
Led by a youthful strikeforce, former Victory attacker Eli Adams has looked the standout for the Jets this season, notching nine goals and an assist in the league.
