Melbourne Victory FC

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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the Men's soccer club. For the women's team, see Melbourne
Victory FC (A-League Women).
Melbourne Victory

Full name Melbourne Victory Football Club

Nickname(s) Big V[1][2][3]
Boys in Blue[4]
Dark Blues[5][6][7]
Victory
The Vuck[8]
Short name MVFC
Founded 1 November 2004; 18 years ago
Ground AAMI Park
Capacity 30,050
Owner 70% 777 Partners[9]
30% Melbourne Victory Limited[10]
Chairman John Dovaston
Manager Tony Popovic
League A-League Men
2022–23 11th of 12
Website Club website

Home colours

Away colours
Current season
Active departments of Melbourne Victory FC

Football
(Men's) Football
(Men's Youth) Football
(Women's) Football
(Women's AWT)
Melbourne Victory Football Club is an Australian professional Soccer club based in
Melbourne, Victoria. Competing in the country's premier men's competition, the A-
League Men, under licence from Australian Professional Leagues (APL),[11] Victory
entered the competition in the inaugural season as the only Victorian-based club in
the newly revamped domestic Australian league.

Recognised as the most supported[12] and second most successful club in the league
to date, Victory has won four A-League Championships, three A-League Premierships,
one Pre-Season Challenge Cup and two Australia Cups, the only club to have won all
four domestic trophies in the modern era of Australian soccer. They have also
competed in the AFC Champions League on seven occasions, most recently in 2020.
Their furthest placement in the tournament was in the 2016 campaign and 2020
campaign, where they were knocked out in the Round of 16 by the eventual champion
on both occasions.

The club's home ground is the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, currently known as
AAMI Park for sponsorship purposes, a 30,050-seat stadium on Olympic Boulevard in
Melbourne's city centre. The Victory has previously played its home matches at
other stadiums throughout Melbourne and surrounding areas, including Olympic Park
Stadium, Docklands Stadium and Kardinia Park.

Although Victory is supported across the whole Melbourne metropolitan area, as well
as regional cities in the state, it is based primarily in the city centre. The club
has rivalries with Melbourne City (the Melbourne Derby), Sydney (The Big Blue),
Adelaide United (The Original Rivalry), and Western United (the Westgate Derby/the
Battle of the Bridge). The club's all-time leading goalscorer is Archie Thompson,
with 97 goals to his name in all competitions. Leigh Broxham has the record for
most matches played, with 405 appearances for the Victory.

History
Beginnings (2004–2005)

Inaugural captain Kevin Muscat in 2007 with the A-League championship trophy, who
would lead Melbourne to success as a captain and later manager.
Following the demise of the National Soccer League, Australia's first national
soccer first tier competition, Melbourne Victory Football Club was unveiled as
Melbourne's representative of the newly established A-League, along with seven
other foundation clubs on 1 November 2004. Established as an unlisted public
company, inaugural chairman Geoff Lord of Belgravia Leisure Pty Ltd was the largest
financial backer of the club[13] with support from other Melbourne-based business
men consisting of Ron Peck, John Harris, future chief executive officer Richard
Wilson, and future chairman Anthony Di Pietro. Despite a diverse range of owners of
different industry backgrounds, the consortium managed to raise only $4.5 million
of the $5 million budget minimum set by Football Federation Australia, thus
resulting in the federation depositing the needed $500,000 to obtain the license
with the condition of imposing one board member performing duties in the best
interests of the federation to ensure return on investment.[14]

The inaugural manager was Ernie Merrick who had signed his former Sunshine George
Cross defender Kevin Muscat to be inaugural captain, alongside marquee Archie
Thompson, both of whom would become legends of the soccer club in their own rite.
The club's first competitive match was against Newcastle Jets on 22 July 2005 in
round one of the A-League Pre-Season Challenge Cup, finishing in a 1–1 draw in
Newcastle. The club's first competitive home game would also prove to be the club's
first win on 30 July 2005 in a 3–0 against Perth Glory in the cup's second round at
Olympic Park.[15]

Merrick Era and early glory (2005–2011)

Australia
Theoklitos
Australia
Thwaite
Australia
Vargas
Australia
Ryall
Australia
Kemp
Costa Rica
López
Australia
Ward
Australia
Berger
Costa Rica
Hernández
Australia
Allsopp
Brazil
Fabiano
2008 Pre-Season Cup Final Starting XI

Melbourne celebrating their first championship victory in the 2007 final.

The league's inaugural season of 2005–06 proved to be a disappointment in
conclusion but also a glimpse into the glory that would follow in 2006–07 and 2008–
09 seasons, with the club being first on the ladder mid-season but ultimately
finishing second last.[16] Future team of the decade players Danny Allsopp, Leigh
Broxham, Archie Thompson, Grant Brebner, Adrian Leijer, Rodrigo Vargas, Michael
Theoklitos under captain Kevin Muscat and manager Ernie Merrick would achieve glory
in winning its first league premiership and championship in the 2006–07 season,
qualifying for its inaugural AFC Champions League. Archie Thompson in A-League
history is synonymous with the glory of famously scoring the first five goals in
the 6–0 grand final win over Adelaide United in front of a current record crowd for
a grand final of 55'436 at Docklands Stadium.[17][18] The heavy defeat for Adelaide
as well as an altercation between Muscat and manager John Kosmina earlier in the
season[19][20][21][22] is culturally seen as the beginning of the rivalry,[23][24]
earning the nicknames 'the cross-border rivalry'[25] and 'the original rivalry'.
[26]

The 2007–08 season proved to be another disappointment with Victory narrowly

missing the finals.[27] Hindered by multiple injuries throughout the season and the
inexperience of time & energy management whilst trying to compete in the club's
inaugural AFC Champions League campaign of 2008 at full strength, Melbourne
narrowly missed the finals but the season did bring long term positives. The
acquisition of future team of the decade players Carlos Hernández, Matthew Kemp,
and Tom Pondeljak would ensure on-field strength for next three seasons. The 2008–
09 season brought more success for the club in achieving its first treble. The last
A-League Pre-Season Challenge Cup of 2008,[28] finishing top of the ladder as
premiers resulting in qualifying a second time in the AFC Champions League for the
2010 campaign, and being crowned champions after defeating Adelaide United a second
time in a grand final in front of a crowd of 53,273, which as of January 2019, is
still the second largest attendance for an A-League grand final behind the 2007
final.[29] The 2009–10 season saw Victory be serious competitors for first position
but would ultimately and narrowly finish behind Sydney FC, whom Victory would lose
2–4 on penalties in the grand final weeks later. It would prove to be the last
grand final for manager Ernie Merrick and for Kevin Muscat as captain, with Victory
finishing fifth for the 2010–11 season, and losing to Gold Coast in first round of
the finals.

Exit Lord, enter Di Pietro, and the rebuild (2011–2013)

Current and longest-standing president Anthony Di Pietro speaking at a Victory in

Business Luncheon at the Crown Paladium ballroom.
The conclusion of the 2010–11 A-League season saw inaugural president Geoff Lord
resign from the club, hailing from the success of two championships, two
premierships and the last pre-season challenge cup. Fruit and vegetable heavyweight
and shareholder Anthony Di Pietro became the second president in the club's
history, hired internally after being an inaugural director alongside Lord from the
beginning. Di Pietro was also an occasional stand-in president when Lord was unable
to perform duties due to illness on multiple occasions in 2011, making his first
public speech ever being stand in chairman at the time during a Victory in Business
luncheon at the Crown Palladium Ballroom. Along with the resignation of Lord,
inaugural chief executive officer Geoff Miles also resigned from the club, with
mortgage firm businessman, shareholder and inaugural director Richard Wilson being
hired internally prior to the 2011–12 season alongside Di Pietro. Ernie Merrick
would depart as coach to be replaced by Mehmet Duraković[30] and later Jim
Magilton[31] for the 2011–12 season. Di Pietro & Wilson quickly sacked Merrick
following multiple missed targets both on & off the field, with the 5–1 loss to
Gamba Osaka in the 2011 AFC Champions League campaign being the last straw.[32][33]
[34][35] Kevin Muscat had announced during the respective season that he would
retire as a player, and immediately became an assistant coach replacing Aaron
Healy. Along with Merrick & Healy's departures would be inaugural director of
football Gary Cole, and would be replaced by former team South Melbourne and
Socceroo teammate, Francis Awaritefe.[36]

The two new-coming executives famously won the race against Sydney FC and other
soccer clubs world-wide to sign Socceroos hero Harry Kewell to the club, being
declared at the time 'the biggest signing in the history of Australian sport' at
the time.[37] With much anticipation for the lead up to the 2011–12 A-League
season, the season proved to be a disappointment in missing the finals for the time
third in the club's history. Multiple aged players, a less experienced revamped
coaching team led by Mehmet Durakovic who was promoted by default that would later
be replaced mid-season by Jim Magilton, and a high maintenance Harry Kewell[38][39]
all contributed to the team falling short on multiple match day results. Late in
the season, Magilton would sign future team of the decade players Mark Milligan and
Adama Traoré. Durakovic's unsung legacy on the club would be the signing of then
nineteen year-old Lawrence Thomas, who would later win multiple championships with
the club under Kevin Muscat. Despite the disappointment, the lessons were learned
and the club would have its most improved season to date as of 2019, finishing
third in the 2012–13 season from eighth in the season prior, narrowly losing the
preliminary final to premiers and eventual champions Central Coast Mariners 0–1.
[40] The season started with a major sense of optimism by signing by multiple
Brisbane Roar and National Soccer League premiership and championship-winning coach
Ange Postecoglou on a three-year deal,[41] revamping the playing squad with the
departure of fourteen players and the signings of fifteen players, including Gui
Finkler and Nathan Coe who would achieve multiple club and personal accolades
respectively in their own rite in the years to come. Since the 2012–13 season, the
club has never missed the finals series.

Coaching Disruptions (2013–14 season)

Prior to the season, coach Ange Postecoglou had just begun the second year of his
three-year contract with the club, but had also been cited as a possible
replacement for departing Australian national team coach Holger Osieck, in the
lead-up to the 2014 FIFA World Cup. This possibility became a reality the day
before the round three clash against Postecoglou's former club Brisbane Roar on 25
October, which was his last match in charge.[42] Victory were denied a compensation
claim of one million Australian dollars for the early departure.[43][44][45]

Muscat era and glory again (2013–2019)

Australia
Vukovic
Australia
Broxham
France
Delpierre
Australia
Geria
North Macedonia
Georgievski
Australia
Valeri
Australia
Bozanic
New Zealand
Barbarouses
Tunisia
Khalfallah
Brazil
Finkler
Albania
Berisha
2015 FFA Cup Final Starting XI

Anthony Di Pietro alongside Kevin Muscat at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium in

October 2013
The era of Kevin Muscat becoming the first former player and captain to become
manager began sooner than anticipated, but it would be an era that would restore
the former early glory of Australia's biggest association football club. The era
officially began following the untimely departure of Ange Postecoglou in round four
of the 2013–14 season on 4 November 2013, in a 3–2 home victory over Wellington
Phoenix at Docklands Stadium.[46] Future grand final winners James Troisi, Kosta
Barbarouses and Rashid Mahazi were signed to the club and would help strengthen the
playing squad in the years to come. Muscat's first season would end in both
heartbreak and controversy as Victory were denied obvious penalty decisions in the
last minutes of both the A-League finals clash against Brisbane Roar,[47][48] and
in the last group stage clash against Jeonbuk in the 2014 AFC Champions League,[49]
[50][51] when in both games one extra goal was needed to win. Both controversial
moments occurred only days in between each other, resulting in Muscat heavily
criticizing referees in general.[52]

The 2014–15 season saw a major recruiting drive in the signings of Besart Berisha,
Carl Valeri, Daniel Georgievski, Fahid Ben Khalfallah and Mathieu Delpierre, who
would all go onto achieve multiple personal and club accolades respectively. Late
in the season on 28 March 2015, the club announced its team of the decade at the
Crown palladium ballroom[53][54] with five of the announced players still
contracted to victory at the time, with then coach Kevin Muscat also being listed.
This time of the season also saw captaincy of the club change with Adrian Leijer
departing the Victory for Chinese Super League club Chongqing Lifan on an
undisclosed transfer for a major salary increase,[55] with teammate Mark Milligan
becoming interim captain for the remainder of the season.[56] After a six-year
wait, Victory would finish first on the ladder[57] and would later defeat Sydney FC
3–0 in the grand final.[58] Team of the decade substitute goalkeeper Nathan Coe,
who would miss the grand final due to injury announced his retirement shortly after
the achievement.

The next two seasons were of mixed results, but the squad would remain competitive
and be rewarded. The 2015–16 season was of mixed results in the A-League, but the
squad would win the 2015 FFA Cup, and for the first time in the club's history,
would progress to the round of sixteen in the Asian Champions League. Captain and
marquee[59] Mark Milligan departed the club during the preseason[60] and was
replaced by 2014 World Cup teammate Oliver Bozanic, with Carl Valeri given the
captaincy role. Defender Thomas Deng would be promoted from the youth squad and
feature occasionally throughout the season. Veterans Mathieu Delpierre and Archie
Thompson retired at the season's conclusion and Deng would be loaned to Jong PSV,
but the season would be mostly remembered for newly promoted captain Carl Valeri
contracting a brain inflammation in December 2015,[61][62] but would later return
in the finals. The 2016–17 season saw an improvement in results in the A-League,
with the squad finishing second on the ladder, ultimately losing in what was a
demoralising defeat in the grand final to their superior rivals and premiers Sydney
FC, making both clubs equal in premierships and championships. The season saw the
returns of James Troisi and team of the decade winger Marco Rojas. Defender James
Donachie joined from Brisbane Roar, and the club's youth squad would promote
Christian Theoharous and Stefan Nigro.

The 2017–18 season ended in glory but would see multiple difficulties in the lead
up to the finals. In the preseason, 2017 grand final Johnny Warren medalist Daniel
Georgievski departed the club willfully, with Marco Rojas and Nick Ansell both
being sold. Rhys Williams and Leroy George signed in the preseason and would prove
to be crucial players. With mixed results throughout the season, coach Kevin Muscat
was criticized for his 'stale' game plan.[63][64] Mid-season, captain Mark Milligan
and defender Jason Geria would both be sold, and Terry Antonis would join the club
on a two and a half-year deal. Despite pressure, the squad gained form towards the
end of the season despite losing to premiers Sydney FC away at Sydney Football
Stadium in the last round and finished fourth.[65] Victory would beat Adelaide
United in the elimination final 2–1, led by future coach Marco Kurz at Melbourne
Rectangular Stadium, to then face Sydney FC in the semi-final away. In the lead up
to the clash, Sydney captain Alex Brosque told the Sydney Morning Herald when asked
regarding the reverse fixture with victory that "I know they'll be thinking about
it as much as they'll try to forget about it." also stating that "It gives us a lot
of confidence and psychologically I'm sure it will be playing on their minds,".[66]
In the warm up of the game, crucial defender Rhys Williams suffered an ankle injury
that would rule him out of the game and the grand final if Victory would win.[67]
The Victory as underdogs would beat Sydney 3–2 in extra time, with victory
physically scoring all five goals, with own goals by Stefan Nigro and Terry
Antonis. Despite the unfortunate error, Nigro's efforts in the match being a late
replacement for the injured Williams would secure him a start in the grand final.
Antonis, a former youth product and five seasoned player of Sydney, conceded the
own goal in the last minute of regular time to bring the score to 2–2, leading to
extra time. In the 117th minute, loanee teammate Kenny Athiu would pass the ball to
Antonis, surviving three tackle attempts in running from the center line to within
Sydney's eighteen yard box to score the winning goal, in what would later be
recognized as the club's 2017–18 goal of the season. Victory would travel to
Newcastle to face second placed Newcastle Jets, led by former and inaugural Victory
manager Ernie Merrick. It would be the A-League's first ever regional grand final
as well as one manager versing his former player as a manager in a grand final, and
would be remembered for its controversy. Victory scored the earliest ever goal in a
grand final from a Leroy George free kick that would be headed into the center of
the eighteen yard box by James Donachie then scored by Kosta Barbarouses in the
ninth minute. Replays had shown that Donachie was offside upon George kicking the
ball, but with the views of the linesman deceived by a Newcastle defender, the goal
was allowed to stand as the video assistant referee had temporarily failed.[68][69]
Victory would win 1–0 against a ten men Newcastle after striker Roy O'Donovan
desperately attempted to volley a high altitude ball from a free kick that
infamously resulted in goalkeeper Lawrence Thomas being kicked in the face causing
an altercation to follow.[70][69] The incident resulted in a ten match ban for
O'Donovan going into the 2018–19 season despite an appeal. Thomas later told The
Guardian that he had accepted O'Donovan's immediate apology after full-time.[71]
The achievement made Victory leaders in the number of championships won by an A-
League club, as well as being the first team to win a grand final after finishing
fourth place in the regular season, the lowest ladder position. Weeks later, six
grand final players departed the club, including Besart Berisha being sold for an
undisclosed fee to Sanfrecce Hiroshima.[72]

Despite the unexpected grand final achievement, Muscat would commence a recruiting
drive that would see eight players join preseason, including 2018 World Cup players
and Keisuke Honda[73] and Ola Toivonen.[74] Mid-season transfers saw the
undisclosed sale of Nick Ansell, and the recruitment of Elvis Kamsoba and Anthony
Lesiotis, this first ever former Melbourne City player to represent Victory.
Despite being more competitive than the season prior considering that Honda was
sidelined more over a third of the season with injury, it would ultimately end in
disappointment. The squad would finish third by one point behind the second placed
and eventual champions Sydney FC, meaning that Victory would not receive direct
entrance into the group stage of the 2020 AFC Champions League, but would have to
enter a play-off first. The true realization of the disappointment in finishing
third would be realized in the semi-final against Sydney away, who would exact
revenge for their 2017–18 semi final upset in which Victory were defeated 1–6 away.
[75] Despite having one more season on his contract, Muscat resigned from the club
weeks later for personal reasons,[76][77] closing a fourteen-year stint at the club
as a player, captain, assistant manager, and head coach.

Post-Muscat era (2019–2021)

Following Muscat's early departure, the Melbourne Victory board interviewed
multiple foreign and local coaches for the senior role.[78] It was announced in
late June 2019 that former Adelaide United coach Marco Kurz was signed on a two-
year deal.[79] During the recruitment process, nine players departed the club,
including the retirement of captain Carl Valeri who would become an office
administrator for the club. Eight senior players were signed including the return
of team of the decade defender Adama Traoré, and the youth academy had promoted
defensive players Benjamin Carrigan and Brandon Lauton.[80] In early October, weeks
before the first round of the 2019–20 season, Ola Toivonen was appointed captain.
[81]

In January 2020, after just 6 months in the role Kurz was dismissed by the club.
Kurz left having managed the Victory for just thirteen competitive matches, for
four wins, three draws and six losses. The six defeats were the most losses the
Victory had suffered after thirteen games of a season.[82] At the time of his
dismissal, the Victory were sixth on the league ladder with fifteen points, their
equal lowest points tally after thirteen games alongside the 2007–08 and 2011–12
seasons.[83] Assistant coach Carlos Pérez Salvachúa was appointed as caretaker
manager of the Victory until the conclusion of the season.[84] However, on 30 May
2020, with 5 regular season A-League matches remaining in Melbourne Victory's
season, Salvachúa departed the club to return to Europe to be closer to his family.
[85] Assistant coach and former player Grant Brebner was appointed as the Victory's
caretaker manager for the remainder of the season;[86] he was later appointed
promoted to permanent manager on 24 August 2020.[87]

Brebner's tenure as Melbourne Victory manager coincided with the worst run of
results in Melbourne Victory's history. He was sacked as head coach shortly after
Victory's 7–0 loss to local rivals Melbourne City in April 2021, a result which
came only a month and a half after losing 6–0 to the same team.[88] On 19 April
2021, Victory assistant coach Steve Kean was appointed as interim coach for the
remainder of the 2020–21 A-League season as Victory plummeted to 12th place,
becoming the first ever A-League side to finish 12th and Victory won their first
ever wooden spoon.[89][90]

Popovic era (2021–present)

Croatia
Kelava
Australia
Hamill
Australia
Spiranovic
Australia
Geria
Australia
Davidson
Australia
Broxham
Australia
Brillante
New Zealand
Rojas
Australia
Folami
Australia
Brimmer
Australia
D'Agostino
2021 FFA Cup Final Starting XI
On 22 April 2021, the Victory announced that Tony Popovic will take over as the
club's manager from the beginning of the 2021–22 season.[91] On 5 February 2022,
the Victory defeated the Central Coast Mariners 2-1 at AAMI Park to win the 2021
FFA Cup, achieving Popovic's first trophy as manager of the club, as well as the
Victory's second FFA Cup title.[92] This was the last edition of the competition
under the FFA Cup name; from 2022, the competition will be known as the Australia
Cup.[93]

In the lead up to the 2022–23 A-League Men season, the club announced the signing
of former Manchester United and Portugal national team great Nani on Tuesday 12
July 2022, on a two-year contract, and was allocated the number seventeen jersey.
[94] On the following Friday 15 July 2022, the club played against Manchester
United at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, as participant in United's 2022 pre-season
tour of East Asia. Nani made his unofficial debut as substitute in front of the
74,157 spectators present, with the match finishing in 1–4 loss.[95][96][97][98]
[99][100]

In the lead up to the opening 2022-23 A-League round, commentator Michael Zappone
stated that 'for me, they're Melbourne Victory the favourites to win the title this
season.'[101]

Following the World Cup break, on 12 December 2022, preceding the Christmas
Melbourne Derby fixture, the Australian Professional Leagues announced an agreement
with Destination NSW that would see the 2023, 2024, and 2025 A-League Men Grand
Finals hosted in Sydney, as opposed to the traditional format of being hosted by
the finalist that finished higher during the regular season.[102] This announcement
was met with widespread opposition from fans. A 20th minute walkout was staged by
Victory’s supporter group, Original Style Melbourne, and City’s former supporter
group, City Terrace.[103] In the 20th minute, the match was suspended by referee
Alex King as flares were thrown onto both sides of the pitch. Tom Glover threw one
of a flare back into the crowd of Victory supporters, sparking a pitch invasion
where Glover was struck with a metal bucket. Security, a Channel 10 Cameraman, and
referee Alex King were also subject to the violence. The pitch invasion forced the
Derby’s abandonment in the 22nd minute (score being 1-0 to City) due to concerns
with player safety. [104]

On December 18, 2022, Football Australia issued Melbourne Victory with a show cause
notice, for the club to show cause on why they should not face serious sanctions
for bringing the game into disrepute.[105]

On December 23, 2022, Football Australia imposed interim sanctions on Melbourne

Victory while the show cause process was worked through. These sanctions included:

No tickets sold in respect to Home matches.

Home and away active bays will be closed.[106]
On January 9th 2023, following interim sanctions by FA which restricted active
support, purchase of tickets to the general public and total North end blockage
with tarps, the FA handed down the final sanctions to Melbourne Victory for the
events at the Christmas Derby, after Melbourne Victory’s show cause response was
considered.

Football Australia found that Melbourne Victory FC brought the game into disrepute.
Sanctions include:

A total financial sanction of $550,000 AUD

No organised seating for away fans for the remainder of the season and finals
series.
No organised home active support for the remainder of the season and finals series.
A suspended 10 point deduction triggered if fan behaviour results in the suspension
of a game, ending at the conclusion of 2025/26 A-League season.[107]
In response to the show cause determination by FA, the Club stated that they would
not appeal the decision and separately stated that they were ‘committed to the
disbandment of any A-League Men’s active supporter groups that were recognised at
the time of the incident’.[108] The Christmas Derby was resumed on Wednesday 5th
April, 2023 at the 21st minute, with the game ending 2-1 in favour of Melbourne
City. [109]

777Partners invested into Melbourne Victory FC in October 2022.[110] In early

February, Melbourne Victory’s board approved 777Partners’ purchase of 70% of the
club for 5 years. [111]

The first half of Melbourne Victory's 2022-23 season was the worst in the club's
history. They would only pick up 12 points in 14 matches and were at the bottom of
the ladder. [112]

Consequently, the Club looked to improve the squad in the January transfer window,
signing Bruce Kamau, Damien Da Silva, Connor Chapman, Fernando Romero, the
permanent signing of Bruno Fornaroli, and resignings of William Wilson, Matthew
Bozinovski, and Ben Folami. [113]

On 23 April, 2023, Michael Zappone revealed that the Melbourne Victory board had
supposedly chose not to activate a second season clause in Luis Nani's contract,
meaning that the marquee player who suffered a partial ACL tear would not return to
the club in season 2023-24. However, head coach Tony Popovic stated that a decision
has not been made on Nani's future. [114]

Melbourne Victory completed the 2022-23 A-League Men's season with a 1-0 home loss
to eventual 8th place Brisbane Roar,[115] narrowly missing out on the wooden spoon
which was avoided through a 94th minute winner by Lleyton Brooks in the previous
game against eventual wooden spooners and reigning Australia Cup winners Macarthur
FC.[116] Melbourne Victory finished the regular season in 11th place, condemning
the club to a third bottom two finish in four years and another Australia Cup
qualifier. [117]

On May 3, 2023, the club hosted its annual Victory Medal. Former Melbourne City
striker Bruno Fornaroli won the Player's Player of the Year and the TAC Golden
Boot. Mid season Ligue 1 import Damien Da Silva won the prestigious Victory Medal,
only playing 12 games in the season, a club record. Matthew Bozinovski won the
Young Player of the Year award. [118]

On May 4, 2023, following the conclusion of the 2022-23 A-League Men's season,
Melbourne Victory announced the departure of first year signings Tomi Juric and
'Kadete', as well as the release of youngster Lleyton Brooks and keeper Matt Acton,
who had been at the club for seven years.[119] This would add to the departures of
Noah Smith, Jay Barnett, Matthew Spiranovic, and Nick D'Agostino who all departed
the club during the season.[120][121][122]

On May 4, 2023, almost 5 hours after the departure of four Victory players were
announced, the Club confirmed that Fabrizio Cammarata, Luciano Trani and Goalkeeper
Coach, Peter Zois would not continue with the senior men's side in the 2023-24
season. The group of coaches were appointed by Tony Popovic when he joined the Club
at the start of the 2021-22 season. [123]

Main Melbourne Victory fan podcast For Vucks Sake stated that, in their opinion,
the 2022-23 A-League Men's season was 'the worst in the club's history'. [124]

Colours and badge

Melbourne Victory's colours are navy blue, white and silver, which encompass the
traditional state sporting colours of Victoria. The club's home kit is
traditionally all-navy blue, with a white chevron design. Known colloquially as the
"big V", it is a symbol associated with the Victoria Australian rules football
team. The Victory's away kits have often featured a reversed colour scheme, with
white shirts, shorts and socks, alongside a navy blue chevron. Grey and fluorescent
yellow have both featured as away kit colours as well.

Currently, the home kit consists of a navy blue shirt with a chevron which fades
from white at the bottom to navy blue at the top, paired with navy blue shorts and
socks. The away kit is all white, with the shirt featuring a yoke consisting of a
design reminiscent of the club's home ground AAMI Park, set inside an off-centre
chevron.

A new kit was introduced for the 2008 AFC Champions League[125] due to AFC rules
requiring kits to have player numbers on the front of the uniform as well as the
back, which would not fit well with the 'V' on the Victory's regular kit. For the
2009–10 season, Melbourne changed their away shirt to be a reverse of their home
shirt; white with a blue chevron.[126] In 2010, Melbourne wore the TAC 'seatbelt'
shirt against Perth Glory in a charity event to raise awareness for the necessary
use of seat belts in cars. Adidas were announced as the club's official kit
manufacturer for five years[127] beginning in the 2011–12 season, after the initial
deal for Reebok to supply all A-League clubs had expired. The new kits were
announced via the club's YouTube channel,[128] and featured a controversial change
to a fluoro yellow away shirt. For their 2013–14 kits, Melbourne Victory received
backlash from supporters, as the away kits featured a much lighter blue, bearing a
large resemblance to fierce rivals Sydney FC.[129]

Kit evolution

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Melbourne Victory FC kits.

Home

2005–2007

2007–2011

2011–2013

2013–2015

2015–2016

2016–2017
2017–2018

2018–2020

2020–2021

2021–2022

2022–2023
Away

2005–2007

2007–2009

2009–2010

2010–2011

2011–2013

2013–2015

2015–2017

2017–2018

2018–2019

2019–2020

2020–2021

2021–2022

2022–2023
Logos
Regular logo Reversed
On white backgrounds, the positive, silver-keyline version must be used. On
coloured backgrounds, the reversed, white-keyline version must be used.
Simplified logo - white mono Simplified logo - navy mono
On coloured backgrounds, a simplified logo can only be used when logo size needs to
appear smaller than minimum size or when working with alternative finishes ie.
Foiling, embossing and embroidery. On white backgrounds, a simplified logo can
only be used when logo size needs to appear smaller than minimum size or when
working with alternative finishes ie. Foiling, embossing and embroidery.
Sponsorship
On 5 December 2005, South Korean electronics giant Samsung became the club's major
sponsor in a two-year deal,[130] giving Samsung logo placement on the front and the
back of Victory's home and away kits. Prior to the 2006–07 season, KFC were
announced as Victory's sleeve sponsor, with their logo appearing on the sleeve of
Victory's home and away kits.[131] On 28 January 2009, Samsung announced that they
would not renew their sponsorship for the 2009–10 A-League season. Intralot became
the Melbourne Victory's new major sponsor when they signed a two-season $2 million
contract on 4 May 2009. Their logo subsequently featured on the front of Melbourne
Victory's playing strip, starting from the 2009–10 season.[132] On 6 August 2010,
it was announced that law firm Florin Burhala Lawyers would be Melbourne Victory's
official shorts sponsor for the 2010–11 season.[133] On 1 June 2011, it was
announced that human resources company Adecco Group signed a three-year deal as the
club's major sponsor, replacing Intralot. As part of the deal, Adecco's logo
appeared on the front of the club's playing strip.[134] Melbourne Victory announced
on 16 June 2011 that they had signed a five-year deal with global sportswear giant
Adidas as the club's official kit manufacturer.[127]

Period Kit manufacturer Shirt sponsor (front) Shirt sponsor (back)

2005–09 Reebok Samsung Samsung
2009–11 Intralot La Ionica
2011–12 Adidas Adecco (home)
EnergyWatch (away)
2012–14 Adecco (home)
Oliana Foods (away)
2014–16 Community Training Initiatives (home)
Oliana Foods (away)
2016–2017 Optislim (home)
Builders Academy (away)
2017–2018 Optislim & Optivite (home)
Freestyle Foods (away)
2018–2021 Metricon
2021–2022 Macron
2022–present Bonza
Club songs
A number of different songs have become synonymous with Melbourne Victory, being
both sung by supporters and played over the PA at different moments before, during
and after games.

"Stand By Me" by Ben E. King. This is sung as the team enters the pitch prior to
kick-off, with fans holding their scarves above their heads throughout.[135]
"Seven Nation Army" by The White Stripes. The chorus melody is chanted as a goal
celebration, with fans waving their scarves in the air as they sing. It has also
been adapted as a player chant for former striker Besart Berisha.
"Victory The Brave", a rearrangement of Scotland The Brave, penned by Jim Keays of
The Masters Apprentices, with Glenn Wheatley helping to compose the song.[136] This
song is played after every home win.
"Freed from Desire" by Gala. In January 2022, Melbourne Victory ran a fan poll to
choose a post-match victory song to be played after every Melbourne Victory home
win;[137] Freed from Desire received the most votes in the post, becoming the post-
match victory song of the club,[138] with the song played after the conclusion of
Victory the Brave.
Stadiums
Further information: Olympic Park Stadium (Melbourne), Docklands Stadium, Melbourne
Rectangular Stadium, and Kardinia Park (stadium)
Melbourne Victory currently plays all of its home games at Melbourne Rectangular
Stadium, known as AAMI Park for sponsorship purposes.[139]

Olympic Park Stadium

The club was originally based at the 50-year-old Olympic Park Stadium, where they
played all home matches during the 2005–06 A-League season. This stadium had seated
areas only on the wings, with standing-room sandy terraces on the north and south
ends. The average crowd during the first year was 14,158, 77% of its capacity of
18,500. As a result, the match-day atmosphere would prove to be a marketing asset
not just for Melbourne Victory, but also for the rest of the league. It also proved
to be a major factor in the club's decision to relocate home games to Docklands
Stadium, then known as 'Telstra Dome', from the 2006–07 season onwards, for both
safety reasons, and simplicity in membership and match-day attendance expansion.
Despite the club permanently relocating to Docklands Stadium, the venue was still
used occasionally for both the 2006–07 and 2007–08 seasons, until being permanently
closed in 2009.
Docklands Stadium

2007 A-League Grand Final at Telstra Dome (now Marvel Stadium)

On 2 September 2006, Melbourne Victory played its first ever match against Sydney
FC at the 56,000 capacity Marvel Stadium in a 3–2 victory. The match proved to be a
runaway success in terms of crowds, with 39,730 in attendance.[140] As a result,
the club moved all but one of their home games to the ground.[141] This move to
such a large stadium proved to be an outstanding success, with the Grand Final held
there. The average attendance rose to 27,728 for the 2006–07 season, 10,000 above
the next highest in the A-League.

During the construction of the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, Marvel Stadium

continued to serve as the club's only home ground until the completion of the
club's new permanent home, which began hosting games from the 2010–11 A-League
season. On 11 March 2016, it was announced that th club had committed to a further
lease of 10 years for the continued use of limited blockbuster matches at the
venue, ending at the conclusion of the 2026