Mitch Austin’s double has helped Melbourne Victory keep its undefeated pre-season intact.
A 5-2 victory was only secured after Victory came from behind, Oakleigh opening the scoring through Thomas Podaridis in the 22nd minute.
Victory dominated both possession and chances in the first half, and it made the most of it immediately after conceding.
It only took three minutes for Victory to draw level, Austin reaping the rewards of a long Rhys Williams to Kosta Barbarouses ball which opened up the Oakleigh defence.
Just past the half hour, it was Austin at the double as he was on the end of a Barbarouses cross to give Victory the lead.
Each of Victory’s front four looked extremely dangerous in the first half, with Austin, Barbarouses, James Troisi and Besart Berisha all combining well.
Wholesale changes were made at half-time, with 10 of the substitutes coming on to the pitch.
Oakleigh equalised just after the restart, but Victory soon resumed control of proceedings, and it was Jai Ingham who put his side back in front in the 69th minute.
Christian Theoharous won possession inside the Oakleigh penalty area, and Ingham had the easiest of finishes.
It opened the floodgates, with Nicholas Sette and Pierce Waring both adding to the tally in the ensuing 10 minutes to kill off the game.
Next up for Victory is the trip to Adelaide for the Westfield FFA Cup Round of 16 on Wednesday, August 23.
Oakleigh Cannons 2
Melbourne Victory 5 (Austin 25’, 31’, Ingham 69’, Sette 73’, Waring 78’)
Melbourne Victory line-ups
Starting XI: Lawrence Thomas; Leigh Broxham, Thomas Deng, Rhys Williams, Jason Geria; Carl Valeri (C), Mark Milligan, James Troisi; Mitch Austin, Besart Berisha, Kosta Barbarouses
Substitutes: Matthew Acton, Jonathon Vakirtzis, Benjamin Carrigan, James Donachie, Joshua Hope, Pierce Waring, Stefan Nigro, Jai Ingham, Callum Goulding, Christian Theoharous, Nicholas Sette
