James Troisi is set to make his 100th Hyundai A-League appearance for Melbourne Victory in Saturday’s clash against the Newcastle Jets.
Summary
Troisi, 30, will become the 13th player to reach the milestone for Victory if he plays at GMHBA Stadium in Geelong.
The attacking midfielder is enjoying a fine season – his fourth at the club – having contributed seven assists and five goals in 19 games this campaign.
Victory goes into Round 21 on the back of a gritty Derby display, earning a draw against City despite playing 75 minutes with 10 men.
Kosta Barbarouses scored his 11th goal of the season during the encounter, already surpassing the 10 he managed in the league in 2017/18.
Keisuke Honda’s pass set up the New Zealander as the star midfielder made his first start since mid-December, having been sidelined with a hamstring injury.
Ola Toivonen, 32, made his return from injury during the Derby, playing a key role in the second half.
Victory will be without Georg Niedermeier for the clash against the Jets after the German centre-back saw red against City.
It goes into the encounter on the back of a three-match winless run, but it is third on the table.
A win would see Victory complete a sweep of successes over Newcastle for the first time in a season after 1-0 and 2-1 results earlier in the campaign.
Player in focus
What they said
“Obviously for the boss and for the team, it’s always good to have a lot of players fit and 100 per cent and doing well and it’s good for competition for places in the team.” – Victory midfielder Terry Antonis.
Last time
Hyundai A-League 2018/19 Round 13
Melbourne Victory 2-1 Newcastle Jets
Saturday, January 12, 2019
AAMI Park, Melbourne
Troisi was the hero for Victory when the teams met at the start of the year.
After Antonis’ well-placed opener was cancelled out by Kaine Sheppard, Troisi drilled in an 84th-minute winner.
As it stands
Head to head
Round 13, 2018/19: Victory 2-1 Jets at AAMI Park
Round 3, 2018/19: Jets 0-1 Victory at McDonald Jones Stadium
Grand Final, 2017/18: Jets 0-1 Victory at McDonald Jones Stadium
Round 19, 2017/18: Jets 2-0 Victory at McDonald Jones Stadium
Round 13, 2017/18: Victory 2-1 Jets at AAMI Park
Match details
Melbourne Victory v Newcastle Jets
GMHBA Stadium, Geelong
Saturday, March 2, 2019
Kick-off: 7.50pm AEDT
1. Matthew ACTON (GK), 2. Storm ROUX, 3. Corey BROWN, 4. Keisuke HONDA, 6. Leigh BROXHAM (Capt), 7. Kenny ATHIU, 8. Terry ANTONIS, 9. Kosta BARBAROUSES, 10. James TROISI, 11. Ola TOIVONEN, 14. Thomas DENG, 15. Raul BAENA, 16. Josh HOPE, 17. James DONACHIE, 19. Rahmat AKBARI, 20. Lawrence THOMAS (GK), 24. Elvis KAMSOBA, 25. Anthony LESIOTIS
*two to be omitted*
Ins: 16. Josh HOPE (promoted), 19. Rahmat AKBARI (promoted), 25. Anthony LESIOTIS (promoted)
Outs: Georg NIEDERMEIER (suspended)
Unavailable: 21. Carl VALERI (hamstring)
