It’s a rivalry that is almost as intense as the Sydney Derby and one for which the Wanderers faithful often count down the days.
Very early in the history of the club, games against Melbourne Victory were very much a highlight of the Hyundai A-League season.
Despite being the new boys on the block, the Wanderers more than matched their more established and decorated rivals during the first two seasons.
The Red & Black pulled off two wins against their Victorian counterparts in their inaugural season, one home and one away.
SHINJI ONO’S BIG NIGHT OUT
Round 14, 1 January 2013
Western Sydney Wanderers 2 v Melbourne Victory 1
Pirtek Stadium
Line-up: Ante Covic, Nikolai Topor-Stanley, Michael Beauchamp (c), Mateo Poljak (80′ Jason Trifiro), Shinji Ono (84′ Labinot Haliti ), Youssouf Hersi, Dino Kresinger (75′ Joey Gibbs ), Mark Bridge, Iacopo La Rocca, Shannon Cole, Jerome Polenz
In what was a magical display, Shinji Ono owned this game. The Tensai opened the scoring on the 42nd minute before the visitors equalised through Dilveski in the 72nd minute.
But, it only took seven minutes before the Wanderers regained the lead with Ono grabbing his second goal in a result that saw the Wanderers stretch their unbeaten run to five games as they jumped into third spot on the ladder.
ON THE WAY TO THE PREMIERS PLATE
Round 21, 16 February 2013
Western Sydney Wanderers 2 v Melbourne Victory 1
AAMI Park
Line-up: Ante Covic, Adam D’Apuzzo, Nikolai Topor-Stanley, Michael Beauchamp (c), Mateo Poljak, Shinji Ono (86′ Shannon Cole ), Youssouf Hersi (76′ Labinot Haliti ), Dino Kresinger, Mark Bridge, Iacopo La Rocca (72′ Aaron Mooy ), Jerome Polenz
The Wanderers were on a five-game winning streak before meeting the Victorians for the third and final time that season.
Once again the Red & Black triumphed as goals from La Rocca and Ono sealed the deal as the club took a step closer to winning the Premiers Plate.
KING BRIDGE WITH THE WINNER
Round 6, 16 November 2013
Western Sydney Wanderers 1 v Melbourne Victory 0
Line-up: Ante Covic, Adam D’Apuzzo, Nikolai Topor-Stanley (c), Matthew Spiranovic, Shinji Ono (90′ Mateo Poljak), Aaron Mooy, Mark Bridge, Brendon Santalab (79′ Tahj Minniecon), Iacopo La Rocca, Shannon Cole (69′ Labinot Haliti ), Jerome Polenz
Going into the game in a rich vein of form following three wins in a row after a slow start to the season, the Wanderers continued their dominance over the Victorians, winning a hard-fought contest through Mark Bridge’s goal just eight minutes from full-time.
SEVEN IN A ROW
Round 10, 12 December 2015
Western Sydney Wanderers 2 v Melbourne Victory 0
Line-up: Andrew Redmayne, Scott Jamieson, Nikolai Topor-Stanley (c), Scott Neville, Dimas Delgado, Andreu Guerao, Romeo Castelen (84′ Golgol Mebrahtu ), Mitch Nichols, Dario Vidosic (72′ Jaushua Sotirio ), Mark Bridge (74′ Brendon Santalab), Alberto Aguilar
Having failed to win in the opening four games of this season, the Wanderers went on to put six straight wins together before going into the game against Victory.
The first half ended scoreless but the home side asserted their superiority in the second half with Mark Bridge scoring nine minutes into the half before Romeo Castelen secured the three points with a goal 11 minutes from full-time.
