Get ready for a merry night at AAMI Park as we look for our third win in a row when we host Wellington Phoenix!

Join us this Monday as Melbourne Victory take on Wellington Phoenix in our last game of the year! From a very special post-match social club to a Player Card and sling shot giveaway, you won’t want to miss this match day.

Tickets

Stadium Info

Here’s everything you need to know about what’s happening around AAMI Park for our match against Wellington this Monday!

Key Timings

Victory Shop: 5:30pm
Member Hub: 5:45pm
Gates Open: 6:00pm 
Kick-off: 7:00pm
Post-match social club

What’s On

• Stick around after the final whistle to meet and hear from Grimaldi, Velupillay, Valadon and more at a very special post-match Social Club.
• MVFC collectable player cards – snag a FREE Jack Duncan Player Card
• One lucky family will be upgraded to our AGL pitchside experience
• Make sure to be in your seats early for a slingshot giveaway

The post Match Day Guide | Victory v Wellington Phoenix appeared first on Melbourne Victory.

Want to chat and grab a photo with your favourite Victory Men’s players? We’ve got some great news for you! 

Melbourne Victory Social Club is returning for the 2025/26 season, with the first of three taking place following Victory’s Round 10 fixture in the Isuzu UTE A-League against Wellington Phoenix on Monday, December 29. 

A range of players will make their way up to the Olympic Room on Level 2, 45 minutes after the game, participating in a Q&A session, taking photos with and providing signatures to members and fans. 

Elevate your match day experience and enjoy a post-match drink whilst hearing from the playing group debriefing the game. 

Location: Level 2, Olympic Room. Use either the staircase at Aisle 7 and 8 or Eastern lifts next to Gate 2 to access the room. 

Attending players: Jordi Valadon, Nikos Vergos, Nishan Velupillay, Joshua Inserra, Matthew Grimaldi, Louis D’Arrigo, Franco Lino, Oliver Dragicevic 
*Please note, players could be subject to change. 

Cost: Members: Free. Non-members: $5 entry. 

The post Melbourne Victory Social Club returns following Wellington Phoenix clash   appeared first on Melbourne Victory.

Melbourne Victory suffered a late defeat to Melbourne City on Tuesday afternoon in Round 10 of the Ninja A-League.

Jeff Hopkins’ team were in pole position for a Christmas Derby triumph thanks to Rhianna Pollicina’s 32nd-minute goal.

The midfielder’s fifth strike of her debut season in navy blue was, however, cancelled out by an unfortunate Claudia Bunge own goal midway through the second half.

City’s winner came through Holly McNamara in the 82nd minute, with the forward latching onto Deven Jackson’s free kick.

Team News

Hopkins named an unchanged starting XI from Friday night’s 3-1 success at Newcastle Jets. Changes did come on the bench, though, with the late withdrawals of Nicki Flannery and Grace Maher meaning Sienna Saveska, for the first time since signing during the off-season, and Jessica Young were among the available substitutes.

Match Action

There was little action of note during the opening quarter of an hour at a sun-soaked AAMI Park. When the game did open up, it was Victory who had the first attacking moment, but Pollicina’s final touch betrayed her when she was threaded through by Sofia Sakalis.

City responded by twice taking aim at Courtney Newbon’s goal. The first, a speculative effort from Leah Davidson, after she pinched possession from Kayla Morrison, was pushed behind by the goalkeeper before Leticia McKenna, having neatly cut inside, lashed wide.

The second chance had required a bit more composure, something that was not lacking in the effort which put Victory in front. Jancevski displayed exceptional vision to pick out Pollicina inside the penalty area, who collected possession, evaded Rebekah Stott and snuck the ball in, via a brush with the near post, from an acute angle.

Netting her fifth goal of the campaign in just her ninth outing for Victory, it was a sweet moment for the 28-year-old against her former team.

Half-time: Melbourne City 0-1 Melbourne Victory

Victory went after a second following the restart. Holly Furphy’s searching cross was of interest, although it proved to be just a fraction high for Kennedy White to head on target.

At the other end, City were probing without penetrating, and Alexia Apostolakis’ volleyed attempt from a half-cleared free kick bounced harmlessly wide.

Unfortunately, in the 65th minute, the home team forced an equaliser. Aideen Keane went around the outside of Jancevski, and her low cross was inadvertently diverted into the net by Bunge.

10 minutes later, there was a chance for Hopkins’ side to retake the lead. Furphy progressed proactively down the right wing and swept the ball square, where the arriving Sofia Sakalis could not keep her shot down.

As both teams searched for a winner, Keane whizzed a curler past the far post, and City would go one better six minutes from time.

Jackson angled a free kick away from the cluster of players inside the penalty area, allowing McNamara to avoid traffic, control the set piece and finish left-footed.

While Hopkins would introduce youngsters Sienna Techera, Rosie Curtis, Ella O’Grady and most notably Sienna Saveska, making her debut in navy blue, across the final stretch of the match, it would be City to prevail as winners on the day.

Match Details

Melbourne City 2 (BUNGE (O.G) 65′, MCNAMARA 84′)

Melbourne Victory 1 (POLLICINA 32′)

Melbourne City starting XI: 24. Malena MIERES (GK), 3. Danielle TURNER, 5. Taylor OTTO, 6. Leticia MCKENNA, 7. Danella BUTRUS (16. Karly ROESTBAKKEN 67′), 8. Alexia APOSTOLAKIS, 9. Holly MCNAMARA, 13. Rebekah STOTT (C), 15. Chinaza UCHENDU (11. Deven JACKSON 83′), 18. Leah DAVIDSON, 21. Aideen KEANE (2. Ellie WILSON 90+6′).

Substitutes not used: 23. Melissa BARBIERI (GK), 10. Izabella RAKO, 19. Keira SARRIS.

Booking: OTTO 90+4′.

Melbourne Victory starting XI: 1. Courtney NEWBON (GK), 18. Kayla MORRISON (C), 6. Taylor RAY (28. Sienna TECHERA 80′), 3. Claudia BUNGE, 66. Alana JANCEVSKI, 23. Rachel LOWE, 10. Rhianna POLLICINA (8. Sienna SAVESKA 90+2′), 24. Laura PICKETT (7. Ella O’GRADY 89′), 5. Sofia SAKALIS (27. Rosie CURTIS 80′), 9. Holly FURPHY, 16. Kennedy WHITE.

Substitutes not used: 30. Payton WOODWARD (GK), 41. Jessica YOUNG.

Booking: MORRISON 88′.

Coming Soon

2025 concludes with another away fixture – Victory travel to Central Coast Mariners on Saturday, December 27, kick-off 5pm AEDT. The Girls in Blue are back in Melbourne for a clash with Brisbane Roar on the second weekend of January.

The post Victory Women edged in Melbourne Derby appeared first on Melbourne Victory.

Melbourne Victory is pleased to announce an extension to its long-term partnership with the Transport Accident Commission (TAC). 

Victory and the TAC, a Victorian Government-owned organisation, have been connected since the Club’s inaugural A-League season in 2006.

The TAC’s role is to promote road safety, support those who have been injured on our roads and help them get their lives back on track. 

As a Major Partner and the Official Roadside Safety partner of Melbourne Victory, the TAC will host the fourth annual TAC All Abilities Gala before the A-League Men’s team host Wellington Phoenix on Sunday, April 5 2026, kick-off 3pm.

In addition, the TAC will activate at Melbourne Victory’s away match day for the fixture against Western Sydney Wanderers on Saturday, April 25 2026, kick-off 7:35pm, proudly supporting all travelling Melbourne Victory fans. 

This partnership extension correlates with TAC’s new campaign, ‘Code Safety’, where tens of thousands of Victoria’s grassroots and elite sportspeople have joined its mission to save lives and prevent injuries on the state’s roads.

It comes as 274 people have lost their lives on Victorian roads this year, with speeding a major contributor to around 30 per cent of fatalities. The TAC this week launched its major holiday road safety advertising campaign, with two hard-hitting new television adverts focusing on the dangers of speed and drink driving.

Aligned with the Club’s values to lead, unite, connect, and inspire generations through football, the TAC have also partnered with the Club’s Melbourne Victory Holiday program, Club Victory, and Play our Way – Victory to Women & Girls community programs. 

Melbourne Victory Managing Director, Caroline Carnegie, highlighted the importance of the partnership in sharing road safety messaging to fans, members and the wider community. 

“I am proud that we have agreed an extended partnership with the TAC as a Major Partner of the Club. Their ongoing support of Melbourne Victory is critical to the Club and something both organisations are proud of.

“The TAC’s continued commitment to making Victorian Roads as safe as possible aligns with Victory’s values, and we once more pledge to play our part in this.”

Transport Accident Commission CEO, Tracey Slatter, said sport plays a powerful role in influencing positive behaviour.

“The TAC is proud to expand its involvement in grassroots sport to reach as many people as possible with the simple but lifesaving message to slow down.

“Whether it’s players, families, volunteers or supporters, sporting communities have the power to model safe driving behaviour and create lasting cultural change.”

The post Melbourne Victory extends partnership with TAC   appeared first on Melbourne Victory.

Melbourne Victory face Melbourne City in Round 10 of the Ninja A-League on Tuesday, December 23, kick-off 4.30pm AEDT.

Although an ‘away’ fixture, the Girls in Blue will feel right at home with the Christmas Derby taking place at AAMI Park, where they beat Adelaide United 1-0 in Round 7.

Victory backed up this win with another three-point haul on Friday night, putting in a brilliant away performance against a dangerous Newcastle Jets outfit.

The clash with City, 2025’s penultimate match day for the A-League Women’s team, is followed by a quick turnaround to visiting Central Coast Mariners on Saturday, December 27, kick-off 5pm AEDT, at polytec Stadium.

The Girls in Blue

Thanks to three goals and three points, it really was – except for being breached late on – the perfect trip to the Hunter Valley for Jeff Hopkins and his players ahead of the Melbourne Derby.

Like clockwork, American striker Kennedy White got her name on the scoresheet, with her first headed finish for the Club bringing up half a dozen goals in just eight Melbourne Victory games.

Productivity has also been a hallmark of another off-season recruit, Rhianna Pollicina. The former Melbourne City midfielder netted for the fourth time this season, continuing to run her own goal of the season competition, courtesy of a stinging volley.

Victory were then able to flex their strength in depth as the second half went on. Nicki Flannery was introduced from the bench, and just five minutes later, she claimed her first of the season in just her second outing.

The challenge now, after missing the opportunity to do so in November, is turning back-to-back wins into a run of three successive maximums, and what better stage to do it than the 23rd meeting with Melbourne City.

Success over City would pull Victory level on 10 wins apiece in the fixture’s history, and take them 11 points clear of their rivals in the standings – the perfect early Christmas present.

The Victory squad has been dealt a positive boost ahead of the game, with new signing Sienna Saveska named in the squad for the first time since joining the Club in the off-season.

While Saveska is the most recent to remove their name from Victory’s injury list, young midfielder Poppy O’Keeffe is ruled out of Derby action through concussion protocol.

Round 10 squad: 1. Courtney NEWBON, 3. Claudia BUNGE, 5. Sofia SAKALIS, 6. Taylor RAY, 7. Ella O’GRADY, 8. Sienna SAVESKA, 9. Holly FURPHY, 10. Rhianna POLLICINA, 11. Nickoletta FLANNERY, 14. Fiorina IARIA, 16. Kennedy WHITE, 18. Kayla MORRISON, 23. Rachel LOWE, 24. Laura PICKETT, 27. Rosie CURTIS, 30. Payton WOODWARD, 41. Jessica YOUNG, 66. Alana JANCEVSKI, 81. Grace MAHER

Ins: 8. Sienna SAVESKA, 14. Fiorina IARIA

Outs: 20. Leyla HUSSEIN

Unavailable: 4. Chelsea BLISSETT (injured), 17. Poppy O’KEEFFE (concussion protocol), 19. Zoe MCMEEKEN (injured)

On the other side

Melbourne City’s current ranking, on the bottom half of the ladder, is somewhat of a false position despite the 2025/26 effort being nearly two months old.

An early bye, coupled with a schedule adjusted for their AFC Women’s Champions League commitments and the postponement of last week’s hosting of Adelaide United, due to an influenza outbreak in the opposition’s camp, means Michael Matricciani’s team have played just four ALW matches.

From these, they have collected seven points and were unbeaten until a recent trip to Canberra United, when, like Victory, they suffered some capital punishment at the hands of Antoni Jagarinec’s side.

Before this defeat, City had claimed successive home wins over Central Coast Mariners and Wellington Phoenix, the former being a 4-0 rout on the ctrl:cyber Pitch at Casey Fields. This featured two strikes apiece for their joint-top league scorers, Shelby McMahon and Holly McNamara.

There were also goals aplenty in their three Champions League group stage matches, with Lion City Sailors, Stallion Laguna and Hồ Chí Minh City all beaten to nil, as City found the net 15 times without reply to reach the knockouts.

Run it back

Points were shared as Melbourne Victory were pegged back late on when the sides did battle back in February.

The visitors made a flying start at Casey Fields, with midfielder Rachel Lowe pouncing on a lapse in Melbourne City’s defending to sweep Victory into the lead after just five minutes.

This advantage could have been extended in either half, and both Claudia Bunge, attacking a corner, and Emily Gielnik, firing from the angle, were inches away from finding the bottom corner.

City would, however, snatch a draw in the 89th minute when Mariana Speckmaier snuck the ball in from close range.

Last time out

Melbourne Victory navigated both high temperatures and a second-half downpour on the road to inflict Newcastle Jets’ second defeat of the season on Friday night.

The away team opened the scoring after 25 minutes at No.2 Sportsground when Kennedy White glanced in Alana Jancevski’s superb free-kick delivery, and doubled up early in the second half thanks to Rhianna Pollicina’s thumping volley.

Nicki Flannery came off the bench to seal the points with a close-range finish before Lauren Allan snuck a late consolation for the Jets, denying Victory a fourth clean sheet of the campaign.

Melbourne City suffered a first regular-season loss in 651 days away to Canberra United in mid-December.

The game came to life during the second period when Canberra’s American forward Emma Hawkins and the ALW’s record appearance maker Michelle Heyman scored just seven minutes apart ahead of the hour mark.

City started a comeback when Holly McNamara converted from the penalty spot, but it was not backed up as the hosts held on for the win.

The post Victory Women poised for Melbourne Derby appeared first on Melbourne Victory.

Nicki Flannery hopes a match-ready Melbourne Victory can get the better of Melbourne City in the Christmas Derby.

The box-office Ninja A-League clash takes place on Tuesday, December 23, kick-off 4:30pm AEDT, with Jeff Hopkins’ side looking to extend their lead at the top of the ladder.

Victory are on a two-game winning run, having edged Adelaide United 1-0 earlier in December before a dominant performance saw them beat Newcastle Jets 3-1 on Friday night, with Flannery scoring the third off the bench.

Now facing City, who had their last game postponed and were not in action over the weekend, the target is another three points.

Speaking during her pre-match press conference, Flannery talked about how the contrast in recent schedules can be to Victory’s advantage.

“It’s hard because they haven’t got this momentum that we’re fortunate to have this week.

“I think it’s difficult to prep for a derby when it’s 10-14 days to prep for it. It’s a lot of time to think about the opposition and how to prepare the bodies.”

Flannery also dialled into the dynamics of the Melbourne Derby, detailing how Victory will look to channel their emotions in the right way to get the upper hand.

“I think it’s just the unspoken feeling of a rivalry. I feel that if we can get in front of them, get in their face nice and early, and just impose ourselves and our game onto them, then we won’t give them breathing space.

“It doesn’t change really. We just know that there’s that extra bit of happiness when you do beat them.”

Watch Flannery’s full press conference below.

The post Victory’s momentum could be key in derby says Flannery appeared first on Melbourne Victory.

Jeff Hopkins is confident Melbourne Victory can take down the defending premiers in Round 10 of the Ninja A-League.

Melbourne City host his table-toppers at AAMI Park on Tuesday, December 23, kick-off 4:30pm AEDT, the first of two matches for the team in five days either side of Christmas.

Victory retook their place at the top of the ladder on Friday night, leapfrogging Canberra United thanks to a strong display away to Newcastle Jets.

Goals from Kennedy White, Rhianna Pollicina and Nicky Flannery did the damage at No.2 Sportsground – ideal preparation for the derby and a trip back to New South Wales at the weekend to face Central Coast Mariners.

Speaking during his pre-match press conference, Hopkins assessed a City side, who are in action for the first time since their lengthy unbeaten run was ended by Canberra United, and outlined Victory’s motivation for the derby.

“They’re a team that likes to keep possession and likes to build from the back, play through the thirds. They’ve got the ability too, with Holly McNamara up front, to go a little bit direct as well. So, there’s always that threat there.

“I think they play a way that we understand, and have played them a lot over the years. It’s going to be a cracking game.

“This is a derby. We’re always up for the derby. It’s always a big game for us. How they react, we can’t really do anything about that. We can just react to it out on the field.”

Hopkins delivered welcome news on the availability of Sienna Saveska, who has missed the start of the 2025/26 season due to a medical issue.

“Sienna is in the squad this week – straight in. With the condition that she had, she’s been training basically fully without too much contact. She’s done a week’s worth of contact training, and she’s fine now.

“So in terms of her fitness, she’s probably good enough to play 45 minutes at least. I’ll keep that to myself, what she’s going to be doing, but I imagine her to be involved on the pitch at some stage.”

Watch Hopkins’ full press conference below.

The post Hopkins and Victory Women up for the Melbourne Derby appeared first on Melbourne Victory.

Arthur Diles applauded his Melbourne Victory players for improvising in the pressure cooker conclusion to Saturday night’s Christmas Derby.

Substitute Matthew Grimaldi downed Melbourne City in the 91st minute at AAMI Park, lashing the ball in from 25-yards out as the Men’s First Team recorded back-to-back wins for the first time in the 2025/26 Isuzu UTE A-League season.

The boyhood Victory fan linked up with Juan Mata and Denis Genreau for the winner, with the trio ripping up the set-piece script to write themselves into Melbourne Derby folklore thanks to a neat exchange that ignored the crossing option and gave Grimaldi the opening he took so sweetly.

Speaking during his post-match press conference, Diles highlighted how those on the field are encouraged to improvise when opportunities to create magical moments arise.

“Juan can smell it, he can feel it, and then Matty does his business, which was a fantastic strike.

“They’ve always got the freedom and the luxury to play what they see. Obviously, you have your set plays, but you know, if something’s not going to script, and you can see something and you feel it, we always encourage them to play what they feel. He’s done that, and there’s a reward at the end of it.”

The 51st Melbourne Derby was a typically frantic tussle, and it looked like it would be both goalkeepers taking the post-match plaudits.

City’s Patrick Beach did very well to keep out a chipped Nikos Vergos effort that appeared to have him beaten in the second half, but it was Jack Duncan who produced the night’s defining stop.

11 minutes from time, Medin Memeti met a corner at speed, and his header seemed certain to find the net until Victory’s ‘keeper produced a blinding save.

Diles gave his verdict on Duncan’s display and offered an overall assessment of a success that shoots his team up the ladder.

“Jack was excellent. He’s made two or three probably game-changing saves that keep us in the game with a clean sheet.

“We weren’t outstanding in terms of the way we want to play, but we definitely worked really hard, and we’re resilient. We had a top mentality and to keep a clean sheet and then get one in the end, that shows a super mentality, and I’m really proud of that.”

Watch Diles’ full press conference below.

The post Diles: Victory got their ‘reward’ on derby day appeared first on Melbourne Victory.

Matthew Grimaldi’s late strike gave Melbourne Victory a dramatic derby win over their local rivals in Round 9 of the Isuzu UTE A-League.

The 22-year-old attacker had only been on the field for five minutes when he grabbed an injury-time winner to settle a Christmas Derby that appeared on course for a stalemate.

Grimaldi’s fizzing shot from the edge of the box was his first goal for the Club and sparked frenzied scenes in the stands of AAMI Park on Saturday night for the second match day in a row, following last weekend’s success over Adelaide United.

Victory had earlier gone closest when Nikos Vergos’ audacious chip was impressively clawed away by opposition goalkeeper Patrick Beach.

They also had their stopper, Jack Duncan, to thank for keeping things level during the second 45, with his denial of Medin Memeti being a masterclass in reacting to a close-range header.

Team News

Diles named an unchanged starting XI for the Melbourne Derby, sticking with those who did the business versus Adelaide a week earlier. This meant Denis Genreau, available for selection after serving his two-game suspension, was amongst the substitutes.

Match Action

Both sides offered plenty of attacking initiative in the opening exchanges, even if the final pass or shot was missing in the moment that mattered.

Vergos had the best chances for Victory, forcing a reflex, near-post save from Beach before the striker got his angles wrong when attempting to side-foot volley a clipped delivery from midfielder Jordi Valadon.

At the other end, City worked an opportunity in close confines, but Max Caputo’s sight of goal was snuffed out by a timely intervention from the Captain, Roderick Miranda.

Caputo would have a much clearer chance approaching the half-hour mark, finding himself one-on-one with Duncan, the forward was superbly denied by Victory’s goalkeeper.

And despite the offside flag then being raised, the magnitude of Duncan’s stop was revealed when replays showed it was a 50-50 call.

It was next Elbasan Rashani foiled by Duncan, with Caputo on the turn, slashing the rebound well wide of the target, much to the enjoyment of the North End.

Half-time: Melbourne City 0-0 Melbourne Victory

The first notable chance of the second half was a Victory one. Juan Mata and Santos connected well in transition on the left, and when the ball was worked centrally to Vergos, it took a full-stretch save from Beach to stop the looping effort dipping in.

In the 59th minute, the woodwork again denied City. From Emin Durakovic’s corner, Caputo was again the threat, watching his floating header hit the crossbar flush.

Then, for a split second, it appeared Diles’ team had edged in front. Vergos intercepted a Valadon shot, and the rebound to his effort was tucked away by Santos, only for a correct offside call to chalk it off.

Chances kept coming for either side, this time Rashani finding space on the left and stinging the palms of Duncan, who got across his goal well to beat the attempt away.

In the final quarter, the Head Coach turned to his bench, first introducing Genreau and then rolling out a double change as Keegan Jelacic and Jing Reec were brought on – Grimaldi would follow later.

It was, though, again Duncan proving his worth before any more Victory attacks were fashioned. The netminder produced his best save of the contest, reacting in ultra-fast time to keep out Memeti’s bullet header from a corner.

This moment of defiance cued up the grandstand finish, and cometh the hour, cometh the Melbourne boy.

Substitute Grimaldi was the beneficiary of Mata’s decision to not just hurl in a contestable cross, receiving a pass from Genreau, quickly shifting the ball onto his supposed weaker left foot and unleashing an unstoppable low effort to win the derby.

Netting his first sporting Victory colours, in memorable fashion, Grimaldi’s magic proved the difference on the night, with the full-time whistle arriving shortly after and celebration erupting among the Victory faithful.

Match Details

Melbourne City 0

Melbourne Victory 1 (GRIMALDI 90+1′)

Melbourne City starting XI:  1. Patrick BEACH (GK), 10. Takeshi KANAMORI (38. Beckham BAKER 81′), 11. Elbasan RASHANI (35. Medin MEMETI 78′), 13. Nathaniel ATKINSON (37. Peter ANTONIOU 68′), 16. Aziz BEHICH (C), 17. Max CAPUTO (15. Andrew NABBOUT 68′), 19. Zane SCHREIBER (4. Liam BONETIG 68′), 22. Germán FERREYRA, 27. Kai TREWIN, 30. Andreas KUEN, 39. Emin DURAKOVIC.

Substitutes not used: 33. Dakota OCHSENHAM (GK), 44. Besian KUTLESHI.

Booking: FERREYRA 63′.

Melbourne Victory starting XI: 25. Jack DUNCAN (GK), 22. Joshua RAWLINS, 21. Roderick MIRANDA (C), 15. Sebastian ESPOSITO, 2. Jason DAVIDSON, 8. Jordi VALADON, 27. Louis D’ARRIGO (10. Denis GENREAU 67′), 11. SANTOS (14. Matthew GRIMALDI 85′), 64. Juan MATA, 17. Nishan VELUPILLAY (23. Keegan JELACIC 73′), 9. Nikos VERGOS (19. Jing REEC 73′).

Substitutes not used: 40. Jack WARSHAWSKY (GK), 4. Lachlan JACKSON, 16. Joshua INSERRA.

Booking: DAVIDSON 17′, D’ARRIGO 50′, VALADON 72′.

Coming soon

Another AAMI Park outing, this time as the home team, awaits Victory before 2025 is closed for business. Diles’ side welcome Wellington Phoenix for a festive football feast between Christmas and New Year’s.

The post Grimaldi wins Victory the Christmas Derby appeared first on Melbourne Victory.

Melbourne Victory Women recorded their second road success of the Ninja A-League season as they beat Newcastle Jets on Friday night.

Kennedy White’s sixth goal since signing in the off-season earned Jeff Hopkins’ side a deserved lead after 25 minutes of play at No.2 Sportsground. The American striker was afforded the freedom of the penalty box to head in Alana Jancevski’s inviting set-piece delivery.

Rhianna Pollicina gave the away side a cushion shortly before the hour mark, continuing her impressive campaign courtesy of an unstoppable volley, and Victory’s control was highlighted when substitute Nicki Flannery opened her account for 2025/26.

Lauren Allan netted the Jets a response, but it came far too late to be of concern for the Melburnians, who move to the top of the ladder courtesy of the Round 8 win.

Team News

Hopkins stuck with the team who defeated Adelaide United last weekend, electing for an unchanged starting XI in the Hunter Valley. Victory’s only alteration came on the bench, where Jessica Young missed out on the match day squad as Grace Maher returned from the injury that kept her out of Round 7.

Match Action

Although the general tempo was subdued in the New South Wales heat, it was always Victory looking the more likely to find a first-half breakthrough.

Sofia Sakalis had an early strike pushed over, and then, from an accurate Laura Pickett cross, she made a good connection rising highest, but could only head wide. Pollicina also looked from the outset to continue her midfield goal contributions and had the accuracy locked in when striking from distance, only for her shot’s power to fade as it proved catching practice for Anna Leat.

The goalkeeper would, though, have no chance when the A-League Women’s leading scorer, White, got her first opportunity of the night. Jancevski dangerously whipped in a free kick won by Holly Furphy on the right, and Victory’s striker applied the perfect glancing header to give the visitors an advantage their play had foreshadowed.

Content with their lead, Hopkins’ team maturely managed the rest of the opening 45, with Courtney Newbon’s penalty box seeing little to no incident. A second was threatened as the half concluded when Furphy was given time to maze infield and trickle an effort wide.

Half-time: Newcastle Jets 0-1 Melbourne Victory

The tough temperatures were joined by some horizontal precipitation as the action resumed in changing conditions. Victory’s control, however, remained constant.

Kayla Morrison had their first chance of the second half. Reading a flick on to Pollicina’s free-kick delivery, the Captain, only a few yards away, was unfortunate not to see her guided attempt sneak into the corner.

On another occasion, it may well have been a chance that the team from Melbourne would live to regret, but as Newcastle continued to offer little at the other end, Victory upped the ante and doubled their tally.

White was this time involved in the build-up, releasing Furphy to gallop down the wing before occupying the attentions of several defenders, meaning Pollicina was allowed to make a late run into the box largely unattended. But the lapse marking from the Jets should not detract from what was a stunning volley, with the midfielder stabbing Furphy’s knee-high cross into the top corner.

From a goal of the season contender, to a shout for save of the season. Conceding a second brought something out of the hosts, and it was little surprise Melina Ayres was at the heart of it. Claudia Cicco picked out the former Melbourne Victory forward from the wing, and her turn and shot seemed certain to half the deficit until Newbon, at full stretch, diverted the ball onto the crossbar.

Alert to any shift in momentum, Hopkins turned to his bench and introduced Maher and Flannery, with the latter wasting little time to make her mark. Jancevski’s wonderful flighted pass identified an advanced Rachel Lowe run, she swept the ball square for Flannery, who forced the ball home from close range at the second time of asking.

The only dampener, the rain aside, was a goal back for Newcastle, when Allan’s rising shot burst through the gloves of Newbon.

Match Details

Newcastle Jets 1 (ALLAN 82′)

Melbourne Victory 3 (WHITE 25′, POLLICINA 57′, FLANNERY 77′)

Newcastle Jets starting XI: 24. Anna LEAT (GK), 3. Claudia CICCO, 4. Natasha PRIOR, 6. Cassidy DAVIS (C) (18. Sophie HOBAN 62′), 7. India BREIER, 8. Emma DUNDAS (32. Claire ADAMS 81′), 10. Elizabeth COPUS-BROWN (13. Lauren ALLAN 72′), 14. Melina AYRES, 15. Emma BATES, 26. Josie ALLAN, 44. Kelli BROWN.

Substitutes not used: 12. Georgia RITCHIE (GK), 2. Josie WILSON, 5. Olivia PAGE.

Booking: COPUS-BROWN 55′.

Melbourne Victory starting XI: 1. Courtney NEWBON (GK), 24. Laura PICKETT, 3. Claudia BUNGE, 18. Kayla MORRISON (C), 66. Alana JANCEVSKI, 10. Rhianna POLLICINA, 6. Taylor RAY (81 Grace MAHER 72′), 23. Rachel LOWE, 9. Holly FURPHY (7. Ella O’GRADY 78′), 16. Kennedy WHITE (11. Nickoletta FLANNERY 72′), 5. Sofia SAKALIS.

Substitutes not used: 30. Payton WOODWARD (GK), 27. Rosie CURTIS, 28. Sienna TECHERA.

Booking: FURPHY 67′.

Coming Soon

Victory sign off 2025 with two more away games. They face Melbourne City at AAMI Park on Tuesday, December 23, kick-off 4:30pm AEDT, before visiting Central Coast Mariners on Saturday, December 27, kick-off 5pm AEDT. The Girls in Blue return to the Home of the Matildas for the hosting of Brisbane Roar, who they took on in Round 1, on the second weekend of January.

The post Three goals gives Victory Women maximum points at Newcastle appeared first on Melbourne Victory.