It was as low-key an affair as any this pre-season, held in AAMI Park but without any of the usual crowds associated with an A-League encounter. This was a good chance to see where Melbourne Victory was at after earlier games against Victorian Premier League opposition, as Newcastle Jets brought a decent-strength side down to Melbourne to do battle.
Ominous dark clouds had gathered prior to kickoff, but sporadic sunshine broke through for much of the first half, as both sets of players took to the pitch in front of invited members of the media. The silence was almost unnatural, punctuated by shouts from the field and the occasional roar of frustration. Neither side was looking 100% ready for the new season, but you wouldn’t expect them to be. There were kinks to be ironed out, players to be assessed.
True to form, Victory had trialists Andrea Govas and Brent McGrath on the bench, the former coming on for a short cameo in the second half while the latter kept a watching brief. Adrian Leijer brought James Virgili down, the Newcastle Jets man putting the penalty away for the only score of the game. But there were plenty of promising signs for the home team, while the visitors were left to sweat on injury concerns with Emile Heskey and Nathan Burns.
While it might have been a friendly match up, there looked to be genuine effort from both sides in a game of few chances. The challenges were robust and no quarter was given, with players having to be separated on at least one occasion.
New boys impress
It was a familiar looking formation for Melbourne Victory, but with different personnel inserted. Veteran Archie Thompson was rested, and with Jesse Makarounas benched and Francisco Stella nowhere to be seen, Mitch Nichols took to the false nine position. The former Brisbane midfielder looked keen to impress, full of running in the early going as he held up the line well.
Former marquee signing Marcos Flores was always an awkward fit for such an advanced role, but Nichols looks to be a suitable option if called upon. The attacking midfielder drifted wide when required, and was not adverse to spreading the play out to the wings. Definitely an encouraging sign after a good performance last time out against Hume City.
Kosta Barbarouses and Connor Pain were the wide men on the day, with Andrew Nabbout missing in action. Barbarouses looks an obvious like-for-like replacement following Marco Rojas’ move to Europe, but there remains work to be done if he is to reach the heights that his countryman achieved last season. Rojas and Thompson struck up a devastating partnership on either flank through the last campaign, breaking at pace and finding each other with laser-guided crosses into space that resulted in goals. Not so much Pain and Barbarouses on the evidence of this match against the Jets.
The two wingers seemed to go for the direct option more often than not in this game, with both electing to cut in and go for goal on numerous occasions. Barbarouses in particular looked to make use of his twinkle-toed pace, but an end product seemed lacking despite several early chances to notch an opener. It’ll be something to work on for the former Wellington and Brisbane player.
Finkler looks a new player
There were more encouraging signs for the returning Gui Finkler though, with the Brazilian looking very much the part of a stylish new acquisition after his long injury layoff. Supporting Nichols while Leigh Broxham and new captain Mark Milligan anchored the midfield behind him, Finkler looked calm and composed in possession and none too rusty. He was already showing what a quality player he could be on his day before his season was cruelly cut short against Western Sydney, more of the same will surely endear him to the fans as a crowd favourite.
Adama Traore looks to have come through yet another test with no injury concerns too, putting in a consistent shift at left back while Jason Geria started on the right of defence. The same couldn’t be said for Milligan, with the Crystal Palace target looking hampered by a heavily strapped right knee. There’s plenty of time to get it right ahead of the new season, but Victory definitely need their club captain fully fit if they are to challenge for the title this season. Milligan’s appointment as the club’s captain owes much to his undoubted leadership potential as it did his fine performances in front of the defence last season – if he plays well, Victory generally play well.
No problems in defence
The defence is one area that coach Ange Postecoglou has pinpointed as something that could be improved on. He’s already been on record as saying a marquee signing in that position might be made sooner rather than later, but while added defensive strength would be welcome, it is by no means a necessity.
Nicholas Ansell is the baby in central defence, but didn’t look too out of place against the big bodied Newcastle attackers. He played it safe for most of the contest, distributing the ball wisely and making several confident tackles. The main talking point will undoubtedly be the strong challenge on Heskey that downed the England striker, but it was in no way the Victory player’s fault as Heskey seemed to jar his knee on the way down.
In fact, it was defensive partner Adrian Leijer who ended up giving away the penalty that led to the winner. A long ball over the defence saw Virgili bounding clear of the Victory defensive line, with Leijer having no option but to bring the Jets player down. There was initial confusion as referee Lucien Laverdure ruled it a free kick, but common sense prevailed and the spot kick was taken to give the Jets a lead they never relinquished. Leijer has given up the armband to focus more on his football this season, and with any luck the diminished responsibilities will lead to improved performances. With one further experienced signing and the emerging Ansell as backup, there shouldn’t be too much to worry about at the back this season. Traore wraps up one fullback slot, while the gangly Geria and the precocious Scott Galloway should provide options on the other flank.
It’s early days yet, but the signs are promising. This loss will not have hurt the Victory too much, there will be plenty more chances to impress before the season begins proper.
