Despite the A-League season finding itself on the back burner due to the Asian Cup break, the Corner Flag is celebrating the ten and five year anniversaries of Melbourne Victory and Melbourne Heart/City respectively with a range of top ten/fives for each club.
Victory Top 10: Almost signings
In this article, we reflect on the 10 players who started off at Victory before making the later switch to their cross-town rivals.
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Number Ten: Seb Mattei
Victory (2010-11): 0 senior appearances
City/Heart (2011): 0 senior appearances
A ‘keeper once touted for big things (including a decent prospect in Football Manager ‘10 – I did cap him for Australia once), he never made a first team appearance for either Melbourne side. He moved on to the state leagues, where the 24-year-old is now involved at Green Gully in a coaching capacity, having spent the 2014 season at FC Bendigo in Victoria’s NPL 1.
Number Nine: Luke O’Dea
Victory (2009-13): 2 senior appearances
City/Heart (2013-14): 0 senior appearances
Another kid with promise, the forward spent a number of seasons on Victory’s books, always seemingly on the verge of a first-team berth. Injuries curtailed his progress, however, and he went to Heart for another crack at the A-League. The 21-year-old is now at Bentleigh Greens, looking to put his injuries behind him and cement first team action.
Number Eight: Kliment Taseski
Victory (2009-10): 0 senior appearances
City/Heart (2010-12): 4 senior appearances
A youth player at Victory before moving to Heart and making a handful of senior appearances, Taseski was then released to Victoria’s state leagues. He is very intelligent off the field, having studied a Double Degree of Law and Business at La Trobe University, and is the PFA’s Player Relations Consultant. Also a 50 Cent fan:
Number Seven: Paulo Retre
Victory (2010-2012): 0 senior appearances
City/Heart (2013-present): 9 senior appearances
Retre’s time at Victory was known for his quiff hairstyle and missing a penalty against David Beckham’s LA Galaxy in a friendly (see 5.45). Moved onto City where he saw occasional game time under John Aloisi and John van ‘t Schip, and earned his first senior A-League contract.
Number Six: Kristian Sarkies
Victory (2005–2007): 35 senior appearances, 3 goals
City/Heart: (2010–2012): 12 senior appearances, 2 goals
Not exactly a straight swap, having spent time at Adelaide United between Melbourne stints. The young prodigy had it all at Victory – a Championship, a kiss to John Howard’s forehead, Australian caps at all international levels. Then it all seemed to unravel, with injuries and inconsistency taking their toll. Hasn’t really stamped his spot at any club he’s been to and the 28-year-old is now a Victorian state-league journeyman.