Melbourne Heart’s Aziz Behich and Victory’s Tom Pondeljak
The fledgling rivalry between Melbourne Victory and Melbourne Heart continues at Etihad Stadium tonight, and tensions are likely to once again reach boiling point. Join us for a live blog and detailed description of the action from 7.45pm AEDT.
Derby weekend. A chance to get one over your workmate, best mate, random bloke on the bus or enemy you have always despised. Brilliant.
Etihad Stadium hosts its first derby between the two A-League sides and the bragging rights are up for grabs.
After three games the scales are even, with a draw and a win apiece between Melbourne’s two clubs.
This match could prove the best yet. Both sides have a plethora of attacking talent, and both have failed to deceive in the opening rounds of the season and will be hungry to prove doubters wrong.
And tempers will undoubtedly still be high after the last round in January.
While Muscat will not be on the pitch to chop Heart players in two, and Aloisi will not be around to save Heart fans from defeat, the tie still presents an attractive stage.
Victory have done their best to dispel optimism around the Kewell signing and have failed to score a goal. They were perhaps unlucky not to score in their 0-0 draw with Sydney FC, but their 1-0 loss against Adelaide left a lot to be desired.
Captain Adrian Leijer will be missing in defence due to suspension, with Petar Franjic the likely replacement.
However it is the attacking third that should be concerning Victory fans, with Mehmet Duraković seemingly experiencing tunnel-vision in his mission to include all his big guns.
The inexperienced manager must ignore the urge to include the names and instead focus on applying meaningful tactics for this match.
Heart have been nothing short of woeful in defence, which was already prophesied in many pundits’ pre-season reports.
It is paramount that Simon Colosimo takes his rightful place alongside Matt Thompson in defence and Clint Bolton’s return between the sticks should give them a much-needed boost.
While Fred’s injury is a huge blow to the ‘away’ side as well as the derby itself, Mate Dugandžić is in fine form and blue history should make up for the Brazilian maestro’s absence.
Who will arise as the king of Melbourne? Which club’s fans will have to cop it all week and probably up until the next derby?
Don’t miss the game of the weekend. Join us from 7.45pm AEDT for up-to-the-minute live score updates and an interactive blog of all the action, and let us know your opinion of the on-field happenings below.
Janek Speight
Expert
Melbourne Victory 0-0 Melbourne Heart Durakovic out? Not yet that's for sure, but the writing is on the wall. Not direction, no tactical nouse. The Hernandez sub defied belief. Just because you throw on four top-class attacking players doesn't mean it will produce goals. We will leave on a positive however, brilliant turn-out, great atmosphere. That's what we need more of in the A-League. More of the same tomorrow for the F3 derby, the "truest derby" out there haha!!!
Janek Speight
Expert
FULL TIME!!!! Melbourne Victory 0-0 Melbourne Heart A draw leaves the Melbourne bragging rights still up for the taking. Heart were great with the ball but were weak with their final ball. Definitely a jigsaw, falling apart when they get in the box. But to be fair Victory's defence were heroic at times, especially Covic. Dugandzic impressed once again, and this time against his old club What can we say about Victory? Archie is saying it all. Disappointing, frustrating. Yeah.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
It's official - the Victory are in real trouble - 3 games without a single goal to their name - would have to be the worst start to a season in the Victory's history.
Janek Speight
Expert
90 + 2' Melbourne Victory 0-0 Melbourne Heart 30 seconds left of the indicated three minutes of injury time, Harry has a run but his cross is cleared.
Janek Speight
Expert
90 + 1' Melbourne Victory 0-0 Melbourne Heart Greedy from Maycon, takes a shot off balance when Dugandzic was there in support waiting to pounce.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
that was a furious shot by Dugandzic, saved well by Covic, they'll both be raffling man of the match tonight
Janek Speight
Expert
90' Melbourne Victory 0-0 Melbourne Heart AHHHH ALMOST!! Dugandzic sees the ball fall at his feet after Maycon does well to get a head to a ball. His stinging shot is parried by Covic. Great shot! Great save! SO CLOSE!
Janek Speight
Expert
89' Melbourne Victory 0-0 Melbourne Heart Heart have delivered 19 balls into the box. Though I'd be surprised if a quarter of those was met with a red and white shirt.
Janek Speight
Expert
87' Melbourne Victory 0-0 Melbourne Heart Dugandzic great work down the right to get past Fabio. Hoffman receives the ball and puts in a looping cross which falls to Maycon I think, but his attempted volley takes a deflection and dribbles harmlessly to Covic.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Foschini has done well, considering he's only a part time centre-half.
Janek Speight
Expert
85' Melbourne Victory 0-0 Melbourne Heart Another corner for the Heart. Can they finally make one count?
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Our mate Dugandzic hit that one well, he's had a good game, has relished his return to Etihad.
Janek Speight
Expert
83' Melbourne Victory 0-0 Melbourne Heart Dugandzic bullet aimed at the Victory goals!!! Covic sticks out a palm and fists the ball away! Close there.
hart of sydney
Guest
39309!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Janek Speight
Expert
83' Melbourne Victory 0-0 Melbourne Heart Hopefully we can see a winner in this match. Otherwise bragging rights are still up for grabs!
Janek Speight
Expert
81' Melbourne Victory 0-0 Melbourne Heart 39, 309 is the official number of the crowd. Brilliant. Both sets of fans have been lively.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Attendance: 39,309 Well done to both Melbourne teams.
Janek Speight
Expert
80' Melbourne Victory 0-0 Melbourne Heart 10 minutes left!! Hernandez has not made an impact on this game, really have to question Durakovic's reasoning for his entrance into play.
Janek Speight
Expert
79' Melbourne Victory 0-0 Melbourne Heart Heart most definitely on the front foot. Williams blazes a nice opportunity into orbit. Scrappy play after a decent corner but the Heart still look the more likely to steal three points.
Janek Speight
Expert
78' Melbourne Victory 0-0 Melbourne Heart Unorthodox clearance from Bolton with his head under pressure from Solorzano.