Matchday at AAMI Park starts with Victory against Central Coast at three o’clock this afternoon. Both sides have one point from two league games and are chasing their first win. Victory are playing for the sixth time in twenty-three days and are also looking for a third straight home victory over the Mariners. Louis D’Arrigo is set to feature, though Giovanni Savarese has not said whether he will start. A win would end Victory’s league wait and give the side an immediate response to Wednesday’s defeat in Bandung. Gates open at two for the Kids Round double-header.

In the Women’s game, Victory’s home opener against Newcastle begins at quarter to six. Jeff Hopkins’ side have four points from two away games and have conceded only once. Hopkins says Newcastle are hard-working and well organised. He also said Nicki Flannery can play a bigger role after returning in Wellington, though he said she is probably not ready to start yet. Victory completed a league double over the Jets last season. Another win would extend their unbeaten start at the first home match of the campaign.

Sources:
Melbourne Victory
A-Leagues
Melbourne Victory
Melbourne Victory
Melbourne Victory
Melbourne Victory
Melbourne Victory
Melbourne Victory
Melbourne Victory

Morning Line is an independent, AI-assisted briefing, reviewed before publication.

Victory have provided a clearer update on Joshua Inserra. Giovanni Savarese says the defender has an internal medical problem. He was hospitalised after the derby and is expected to miss a few weeks. Inserra is now back around the squad. Savarese said he wants the medical information to be precise before explaining the condition fully. He has also confirmed Jack Duncan will start in goal against Central Coast tomorrow, while Louis D’Arrigo is set to return to action after his injury lay-off.

That return comes as Victory prepare for their sixth match in twenty-three days. Jason Davidson and Guillermo May are fresh after staying in Australia during the trip to Indonesia. May says Victory must be more ruthless in front of goal and make better decisions in the final third. Savarese agrees the margins have been small, but wants more crosses, better runs into the box and sharper defending against quick transitions as Victory chase their first league win.

In the Women’s game, Jeff Hopkins wants Victory to take the initiative in tomorrow’s home opener against Newcastle Jets. Holly Furphy says the front line is starting to build its chemistry, with her goal in Wellington coming after Sophie Harding’s run and cross. Victory are unbeaten after two matches. Newcastle have played only once, losing one-nil at home to Perth before a second-round bye.

Sources:
Melbourne Victory
Melbourne Victory
Melbourne Victory
Melbourne Victory
Melbourne Victory
Newcastle Jets

Morning Line is an independent, AI-assisted briefing, reviewed before publication.

Victory have fresh selection news before Sunday’s home game against Central Coast. According to the A-Leagues, Louis D’Arrigo is back in the twenty-player squad after injury, while Joshua Inserra is out and his injury is now classed as long-term. D’Arrigo’s return gives Giovanni Savarese another midfield option after he made six starting changes for the defeat in Indonesia. The Mariners have promoted Oli O’Carroll and Isaac Kwon, while the A-Leagues says Trent Sainsbury is unavailable through injury. Max Naylor and Callum McCaskey have not been selected.

In the Women’s game, according to the A-Leagues, Alicia Woods is unavailable under concussion protocol after the head blow that forced her off in Wellington. Leyla Hussein returns from international duty, while Poppy O’Keeffe remains out with a foot problem and Grace Maher with a leg problem. Victory host Newcastle Jets at AAMI Park at quarter to six on Sunday. The Jets have added Erin Flurey to their extended squad, while the A-Leagues lists Alexis Collins unavailable with an ACL injury.

Sources:
A-Leagues
Melbourne Victory
A-Leagues
Melbourne Victory
Melbourne Victory

Morning Line is an independent, AI-assisted briefing, reviewed before publication.