Taking on the high-flying Wrexham AFC in front of 37,020 fans at Marvel Stadium, it was a special Friday night for a number of Melbourne Victory Academy players.
While Arthur Diles’ XI to start the fixture already had a youthful influence, including six players 23 years old or younger, the second half saw a large number of Victory’s up-and-coming academy talents make their first-team debuts.
The average age of the side kicking off the second 45 was just over 20 years old, notably including 18-year-olds Daniel Graskoski, Jack Mihailidis and Patrick Wall.
The average age number dropped into the ‘teens when senior NPL captain Damien Bozinovski and 18-year-olds John Radimisis and Charlie Gorevski were substituted into the action just past the hour mark.
Later on, 19-year-old attacker Daniel Lazarevski was also introduced into the fixture and was involved in Victory’s best second half chance, slipped through on goal by midfielder Jack Mihailidis.
While Victory ultimately fell to the newly-promoted Championship club Wrexham 3-0, facing off against experienced, battle-proven players that have fought their way through the notoriously physical English football leagues will be a significant learning experience for the young cohort.
Taking on international competitors to kick-off pre-season preparations, the young stars of the Victory Academy will be working hard to impress Arthur Diles, with a friendly with Caroline Springs George Cross next up on Tuesday, July 15.
