Patrick Kisnorbo and James Troisi will play their first derby. Source: Getty Images
THREE years ago when the game was in a shabby state after the failed World Cup bid and struggling domestic competition, the one thing that sustained the A-League was the Melbourne derby.
Aggressions is a big part of the derby as shown by Leigh Broxham's tackle on Jonathan Germano. Source: News Limited
The plucky new boys and underdogs Melbourne Heart came on the scene to take on arguably the biggest club in the country, Melbourne Victory, and it raised the sport to another level.
Victory is still the big boy in town but it would be foolish to underestimate its cross-town rival’s role and if not for Heart’s entry the Western Sydney Wanderers and Sydney derby may still be a pipedream.
Saturday night’s 10th Melbourne derby looms as another wonderful occasion. For anyone suggesting Victory-Heart is not yet a genuine rivalry, I suggest you find vision of last season’s Round 1 derby and look at Ange Postecoglou’s face after Victory’s 2-1 loss.
Eighteen months after wearing the No.22 for Victory, Harry Kewell’s debut in Heart colours adds spice to the clash.
A lot of people have asked me whether or not Harry will be booed by Victory supporters and my response is ‘of course he will’. It’s never any different when players return to their former clubs and is usually a sign of how much you once meant to your former supporters.
It was the same for me when I first returned to Villa Park after joining Manchester United in the 1999-2000 season.
I’m intrigued to see how Harry performs after his lengthy spell without a club but you write off champions at your peril. By his own admission his time at Victory was not a happy one and he has a lot to prove at Heart to everyone but especially to himself.
Last season I felt Victory struggled at times with the expectation that comes with being a big club, as did Ange. But After a season under his belt I believe he is far better equipped to embrace the challenge.
Remember we can measure sprint times, beep tests and vertical leaps but no-one has yet revealed the gauge for mental strength and belief.
In Australian sport we get caught up in talking abouttalk up humility but you do not win anything without big personalities and big players who do it on the big occasions, which is 90 per cent about belief.
I’m tipping Victory to be first past the post and make the grand final, although I believe the Wanderers will win the title.
Heart will compete with Adelaide and Wellington for sixth spot, but I think they will just miss out.
MARK BOSNICH CO-HOSTS SUNDAY SHOOTOUT, FOX SPORTS, 7PM, SUNDAYS
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