It will be exactly 4494 days this Saturday since the infamous first Wanderers-Victory Clash that saw five yellow cards, one red card, an own goal and a two-nil victory against all odds for Ange Postecoglou’s Melbourne Victory.
Get your tickets to the blockbuster clash here.
As the almost thirteen years have passed, the rivalry began to intensify as 430,225 spectators have witnessed 32 matches, 94 goals, 7 red cards and countless icons don the famous colours of the Western Sydney Wanderers and Melbourne Victory.
The likes of Archie Thompson, Shinji Ono, Besart Berisha, Brendan Santalab, Mark Bridge, Aaron Mooy and Juan Mata just to name a few.
As the 4494 days have passed, we have seen some great feats achieved by both clubs.
Melbourne Victory having won the A-League Championship in 2017/18, completed a A-League Championship and Premiership Double in 2014-15 and taken home the Australia Cup in 2015 and 2021.
The Wanderers on the other hand won the A-League Premiership in their inaugural season, crowned AFC Club of the Year in 2014 and more importantly remain the only A-League team to have won the Asian Champions League in a magical run that is still talked about to this day.
This rivalry has produced quite the collection of matches and we’re going down memory lane to look back at some of the most iconic moments from what has been a fierce thirteen year rivalry.
Season 2020/21, Round 18
Melbourne Victory 5 – 4 Western Sydney Wanderers
It was a baptism of fire for Interim Manager Steve Kean in 2021 as his side led 5-1 in the second half before the Wanderers stormed home in the last twenty minutes to bring the score back to 5-4.
Ben Folami who was on loan from Ipswich Town at the time had a day to remember scoring a brace, as he ran rampant in the first half as Victory raced to a 5-1 lead.
A Daniel Margush penalty save and a Nicolai Müller rocket helped the Wanderers draw it back but ultimately it was Kean’s men who prevailed in a nine-goal thriller.
Season 2023/24, Round 26
Western Sydney Wanderers 4 – 3 Melbourne Victory
The Western Sydney Wanderers staged a thrilling comeback to beat Melbourne Victory 4-3 in a crucial final-round match, keeping their finals hopes alive. Victory raced to a 2-0 lead within 15 minutes through Zinedine Machach and Daniel Arzani.
However, Wanderers responded with goals from Lachie Brook and Nicolas Milanovic to level at 2-2 by halftime. Arzani scored again in the second half to put Victory back in front, but Wanderers fought back.
Aydan Hammond and Oscar Priestman, both scoring their first-ever A-League goals, sealed the comeback, with Priestman scoring the decisive goal in the 87th minute.
This game will always be remembered for the Wanderers fight but also as Priestman’s and Hammond’s “we have arrived” match.
Season 2012/13, Round 8
Melbourne Victory 2 – 0 Western Sydney Wanderers
This was the match that ignited the rivalry. The bitter memory of Sam Gallagher’s foul still lingers for Wanderers fans to this day.
Dino Kresinger was through on goal, only for Gallagher to drag him down in a blatant attempt to stop the Croatian striker from scoring.
Despite being reduced to ten men, Victory successfully disrupted the Wanderers’ attacking flow and executed a smash-and-grab win. Archie Thompson capitalized late, sealing the result with a second goal after Michael Beauchamp’s unfortunate own goal.
But this defeat only fueled the Wanderers. They responded in dominant fashion, winning the next three encounters and stamping their authority on the budding rivalry.
Both teams have shown they’ll do whatever it takes to win – whether it’s outscoring their opponent, bringing a player down to stop a goal, or displaying relentless ruthlessness to push their team to victory.
The battle between the Wanderers and Melbourne Victory was no longer just about winning – it was about ensuring their rival walked away defeated.
This Saturday’s clash means just as much as it did thirteen years ago, as both teams look to secure their Finals spot as we reach the apex of the regular season.
A win for either side will set them apart as the table takes shape and the pretenders start to fade.
From Shinji Ono to Juan Mata, Aaron Mooy to Brandon Borrello, and Archie Thompson to Zinedine Machach, this fixture has never lost its prestige. As trophy cabinets filled, the jerseys only grew heavier, and the 22 players stepping onto the field this Saturday know exactly what’s at stake.
This is about pride, this is about those who have paved the way, this is about survival and most importantly – this is about winning at all costs.
