Thu 18th Jan 2007

Melbourne Victory has named a near full-strength line-up for the side’s last regular season match against the Newcastle Jets at EnergyAustralia Stadium this Friday (kick-off 8:00pm).

The suspended Adrian Leijer, Grant Brebner, Mark Byrnes and Brazilian import Alessandro will return to the 15-man squad as Victory continues with its preparations for the Hyundai A-League 2007 Finals Series.

Simon Storey and Steve Pantelidis – both are one yellow card away from a one-week suspension – will be rested from the Round 21 clash, while Michael Ferrante and Antun Kovacic have been omitted following last week’s loss to Queensland Roar.

The result of the match will play a pivotal role in determining the top four positions on the Hyundai A-League ladder with Newcastle needing a draw to keep its hopes alive or a win to secure a spot in the finals series. Melbourne is guaranteed top spot and could finish the 2006/07 season as many as 18-points clear of second-place.

Coach Ernie Merrick made it clear that his side will be aiming for the three-points against Newcastle and that it doesn’t owe a duty to anyone else in the Hyundai A-League ahead of the Finals Series.

“Make no mistake about it, we want to win and we want to win every game,” Merrick said. “The mindset you’ve got to have is to win the Championship and you’ve got to beat anyone at any stage, so we’ve always focused on what we do and how we go about it.

“We don’t mind who we meet (in the Semi Final), we’ve just got to play our best every match. We’ve never been concerned with who finishes second, third or fourth, but it will certainly be an interesting battle between them all.”

Leijer, Kristian Sarkies, Vince Lia and Leigh Broxham are all set to meet up with their Victory team-mates in Newcastle after spending the week with the Australian Qantas under 23 squad at the Australian Institute of Sport, which Merrick described as a benefit for the club.

“It’s a critical game, but it’s not as critical as the finals and I think the positives out of him being with the Olympic squad are terrific. Adrian is a crucial member of our squad and we’re certainly happy to have him back in the middle of our defence.

“Because we’ve had so many coaching sessions it’s not a major disruption. It’s really good that they get the opportunity to play in front of the new technical director, Robert Baan, and to have Leigh Broxham drafted in at the last-minute has also been a major success for the club.”

Victory will also look to complete is remarkable run away from home that has seen the side score at least two goals and remain undefeated from nine matches on the road this season. On top of that, should Melbourne overcome Newcastle it will have defeated every side at least twice in 2006/07.

A Milton Rodriguez goal in the 61st minute was the difference last time these sides met in Round 14 at Telstra Dome, although Victory holds the overall head-to-head advantage with three wins and two draws from its seven contests.

The match and presentation of the Premiership trophy – which Melbourne secured before Christmas with four rounds remaining – will be broadcast live and exclusively on Fox Sports 3 from 7:30pm AEDT with radio coverage on SEN 1116am or through www.sen.com.au.

Tickets for the match are currently available from any Ticketmaster outlet, by calling 136 100, online through Ticketmaster.com.au or at the gate.

Melbourne Victory squad: 1. Michael THEOKLITOS (gk), 2. Kevin MUSCAT (capt), 4. Mark BYRNES, 8. FRED, 9. Danny ALLSOPP, 10. Archie THOMPSON, 11. Vince LIA, 12. Rodrigo VARGAS, 13. Kristian SARKIES, 14. Adrian CACERES, 15. Adrian LEIJER, 17. Grant BREBNER, 18. ALESSANDRO, 20. Eugene GALEKOVIC (gk), 22. Leigh BROXHAM

In: Grant Brebner (return from suspension), Mark Byrnes (return from suspension), Adrian Leijer (return from suspension), Alessandro (promoted)
Out: Simon Storey (omitted), Steve Pantelidis (omitted), Michael Ferrante (omitted), Antun Kovacic (omitted)
Unavailable: Daniel Piorkowski (hamstring – season)

TV: Live and exclusive on Fox Sports 3 from 7:30pm
Radio: SEN 1116am (www.sen.com.au) from 7:00pm
Tickets: Available from any Ticketmaster outlet, by calling 136 100, online through Ticketmaster.com.au or at the gate

Melbourne Victory overall record vs. Newcastle Jets                         
Played 7 – 3 wins, 2 draws, 2 losses

22/07/2005… D 1-1… Pre-Season Cup (EnergyAustralia Stadium, Newcastle)
25/09/2005… W 1-0… Hyundai A-League (Olympic Park, Melbourne)
11/11/2005… D 0-0… Hyundai A-League (Olympic Park, Melbourne)
22/01/2006… L 1-0… Hyundai A-League (EnergyAustralia Stadium, Newcastle)
05/08/2006… W 3-2… Pre-Season Cup (Scully Park Oval, Tamworth)
08/10/2006… W 2-0… Hyundai A-League (EnergyAustralia Stadium, Newcastle)
26/11/2006… L 1-0… Hyundai A-League (Telstra Dome, Melbourne)

Last time they met
Round 14 – 2006/07 Hyundai A-League at Telstra Dome

Melbourne Victory 0
Newcastle Jets 1 (Rodriguez 61’)