Melbourne derby

The Melbourne Derby is currently the only intra-city local derby in Australia's premier Association football competition, the A-League, between the two Melbourne teams in the competition, Melbourne Victory and Melbourne Heart. It is the A-League's first intra-city derby, and although only one season old, is said^[1] to be climbing to be the league's biggest rivalry. Already in just five games there have been two red cards, thirty-one yellows and sixteen goals.

History

The Melbourne Derby began in the sixth season of the A-League, the 2010–11 season, the inaugural season of the Heart. Melbourne Victory have been in the league since its beginning. The inaugural Melbourne Derby was scheduled to be held at AAMI Park on 2 October 2010, the Saturday after the 2010 AFL Grand Final in order to maximise promotion of the game. But because AFL Grand Final was drawn (in a very unlikely event), a replay was needed, which forced the derby to be postponed to October 8.

Melbourne Heart won the inaugural derby 2–1 at AAMI Park, thanks to goals from Alex Terra and John Aloisi. Robbie Kruse scored for Victory. Aziz Behich was sent off late in the second half, but Heart were able to hold on and secure the win. Although the game was an official sell out, only 25,897 fans turned up, well short of AAMI Park's official capacity of 30,050. The second derby on 11 December 2010, attracted 23,059 fans to AAMI Park, and saw the Victory gain their first derby win. Robbie Kruse scored a brace and the Victory finished 3–1 winners.

The Victory had their first home derby on January 22 at Docklands Stadium.^[2] Victory went up 2-0 in the first half due to goals from Danny Allsopp and Carlos Hernandez, but Heart fought back, scoring a goal in the last minute of the first half, and another just after half time, both from John Aloisi. The match ended a 2-2 draw. This derby was marred by an unacceptable tackle by Kevin Muscat on Adrian Zahra, which earned the Victory captain his second straight red card,^[3] and a subsequent eight-match ban, ending not only his season, but his A-League career.^[4]

In the third round of the seventh season, 2011–12, the two sides met once again, but were locked for the first time to a scoreless draw. Two months later, a record crowd at AAMI Park saw Heart triumph over their rivals 3-2. Just four minutes into the game, Victory were awarded a penalty, but it was saved by Heart goalkeeper Clint Bolton. Archie Thompson gave Victory the lead eighteen minutes later, but in the 37th minute, Matt Thompson drew the sides level to 1-1, and then scored again and put Heart in the lead just two minutes later. In the second half, substitute Alex Terra increased the Heart's lead to 3-1. Carlos Hernandez gave Victory a consolation goal in the last minute of added time.

League matches

Head to head

Leading scorers

Players in bold are still active at their Melbourne club.

Players who have played for both clubs

• Aziz Behich (Victory to Heart via Hume City) (2010)
• Kristian Sarkies (Victory to Heart via Adelaide United) (2010)
• Mate Dugandžić (Victory to Heart) (2011)
• Fred (Victory to Heart via D.C. United, Wellington Phoenix (on loan) and Philadelphia Union) (2011)
• Sebastian Mattei (Victory to Heart) (2011) (Youth Team)

Youth League matches

Head to head

References