It wasn’t the close contest we were anticipating between two in-form Melbourne sides but at the end of the day, there was plenty on offer, especially for the Victory supporters. Who shone and who stunk as we assess the match ratings of everyone who played a part in derby 15.
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Melbourne Victory Marc Sudholz (@marc014)
GK: Nathan Coe – 7
Looked solid all night but to be fair had little to do. Made a great save with his boot from Josh Kennedy but the game was won by then.
LB: Scott Galloway – 7
Played his role solidly throughout the 90, controlling Duff well for the most part. Most of City’s play was down his flank so he did well to keep it tight.
CB: Adrian Leijer – 7.5
On of the better games of the season from the experienced defender. Leijer was solid in the air and linked the defence to midfield quite well with his expansive passing.
CB: Nick Ansell – 6.5
Skewed a few clearances back to players in a City shirt, but on the whole a good performance from the young centre-back, who has shouldered a lot of responsibility this season.
RB: Jason Geria – 8
Arguably the best performances in a Victory shirt from the young right-back. Dominated Ramsay and then Williams, barely putting a foot or tackle wrong.
CM: Carl Valeri – 7.5
Dominant display by the midfield marshall, taking complete control of the game at times, setting the tone for the Victory performance. Swept up danger across every blade of grass.
CM: Leigh Broxham – 7
One of the best derby performances from the utility, making crucial interceptions and working well with fellow midfielder Valeri. Should have scored late from a set-piece.
AM: Gui Finkler (1 assist) – 7
A decent game from the silky Brazilian who seemed to have twice the amount of space and time as anyone else on the pitch. He was dangerous moving forward, interacted with the front three well and ultimately supplied the assist for Barbarouses’ goal.
LW: Fahid Ben Khalfallah (1 goal) – 8
Looked shaky early on, but grew into the game and sealed the game with the third goal. Creativity was good as game went on.
ST: Besart Berisha (1 assist, 1 goal) – 8
One of the best games in a victory shirt for the Albanian marquee, whose movement was great all night. Deservedly opened the scoring and showed his creative side to lay off a pass for Ben Khalfallah’s sealer.
✮ RW: Kosta Barbarouses (1 assist 1 goal) – 8.5 ✮
The Kiwi international looks to be back to his best. Brilliantly set up Berisha’s goal, before doubling the lead with a stunning flick on from Finkler’s free-kick.
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Melbourne City Jordan Lim (@JordanLim94)
GK: Andrew Redmayne – 5.5
Not too much he could’ve done to stop any of the goals that went past the custodian, with only a true cynic able to blame him failing to get a palm on Kosta Barbarouses’ goal.
LB: Jack Clisby – 3
A shocking second outing for Perth’s January signing. He was taken out comically by his skipper in the build up to the first goal, and failed to track Berisha on the right for the third. Add to that the fact he should’ve conceded a first half penalty and you have a nightmare performance.
CB: Patrick Kisnorbo – 4.5
Sliced apart, and was often caught flat-footed, and the opposition capitalised, getting in behind far too often. As mentioned, was a part of the comical opening goal and needed to lead his line better.
CB: Connor Chapman – 4
Failed to inspire in a horror outing for the entire back four. Has been a star in City’s resurgence of recent weeks and it’s no surprise that a bad performance from the youngster has come with a thrashing.
RB: Jason Hoffman – 4.5
Failed to deal with Ben Khalfallah properly as the Tunisian had a field day. The Victory winger did as he pleased in the latter stages of the contest.
CDM: Safuwan Baharudin – 6
Didn’t look out of place in his A-League debut did Safuwan, and the natural defender held together the midfield quite well in the first half. Was allowed to drift a slight bit more in the second and was eventually subbed for Josh Kennedy.
CM: Aaron Mooy – 5.5
With no Mark Milligan for their rivals, Melbourne City were favoured by many to win the midfield battle of Etihad Stadium. Alas, Mooy was made to look second-class by the grit and work rate of Valeri and Broxham in the engine room. He did offer a good avenue on the attack, but was often left chasing shadows in his defensive duties.
CM: Jacob Melling – 4.5
Was largely disappointing, especially given his incredible form this season to date. Was rash in the tackle and could easily have been sent off for a number of poorly executed defensive efforts. Didn’t offer enough in an attacking sense either.
LW: Iain Ramsay – N/A
Was dragged early by coach John van ‘t Schip who’d seen the winger made a non-issue by the fantastic defensive performance of Jason Geria.
CF: Robi Koren – 5
Kept largely ineffective in a more advanced position. Will revel when he’s released just behind the striker, when Josh Kennedy’s match sharpness returns.
RW: Damien Duff – 6.5
Was City’s best, always looking to prod and probe around that penalty area. Put in some decent delivery and was always running at his opponent.
SUB: David Williams (on 30’) – 5Looked bright enough after coming on in the first half for the ineffective Ramsay, but in the end, Geria got the better of the forward on the left flank. Was nullified for much of the second half.
SUB: Josh Kennedy (on 60’) – 5
A mixed bag for Melbourne City’s debutant Australian marquee, who was a stunning save away from opening his account for his new club. But on the other hand, it was his loose pass which saw him sell fullback Clisby into trouble for Victory’s third.
SUB: Mass Murdocca (on 79’) – N/A
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Votes:
3. Kosta Barbarouses
2. Jason Geria
1. Besart Berisha
TCF Melbourne Medal Running Tally:
85.5 – Aaron Mooy (Melbourne City)
60.5 – Fahid Ben Khalfallah (Melbourne Victory)
47 – Besart Berisha (Melbourne Victory)
46 – Kosta Barbarouses (Melbourne Victory)
45.5 – Damien Duff (Melbourne City)
38 – Leigh Broxham (Melbourne Victory)
30 – Connor Chapman (Melbourne City)
29.5 – Jacob Melling (Melbourne City)
22.5 – Nathan Coe (Melbourne Victory)
22.5 – Carl Valeri (Melbourne Victory)
20 – David Williams (Melbourne City)
18 – Archie Thompson (Melbourne Victory)
16 – Robert Koren (Melbourne City)
16 – Mark Milligan (Melbourne Victory)
15.5 – Daniel Georgievski (Melbourne Victory)
15.5 – Adrian Leijer (Melbourne Victory)
15.5 – Dylan Murnane (Melbourne Victory)
15 – David Villa (Melbourne City)
14.5 – Mate Dugandzic (Melbourne City)
14.5 – Paddy Kisnorbo (Melbourne City)
13.5 – Erik Paartalu (Melbourne City)
8.5 – Gui Finkler (Melbourne Victory)
8 – Matthieu Delpierre (Melbourne Victory)
8 – Jason Geria (Melbourne Victory)
8 – Andrew Redmayne (Melbourne City)
7 – Nick Ansell (Melbourne Victory)