Melbourne Knights FC Official Website On Friday, March 21st, at 7:30 pm, Tompsett Stadium will witness an anticipated National Premier League encounter between Melbourne Knights Melbourne Victory’s Youth Reserves team, and for the Knights, this game holds more weight than ever.
After a bitter loss to bottom-placed Green Gully, the Knights are now facing a crucial battle that may foreshadow their future in the NPL. With just a one-point cushion over Melbourne Victory Youth, thanks to their 3-0 win against Port Melbourne at home, the Knights seek to defend their home turf, hoping Round 6 does little to deter their performance.
Despite being their first season in the top flight NPL, Melbourne Victory Youth are proving themselves to be a squad worthy of their professional ranking. The young squad, filled with hungry, talented players eager to make their mark on Australian football, has earned a respectable record so far with a 1-1 draw against Magic, a 3-3 draw with South Melbourne, and a 3-0 win against Port Melbourne. The Victory reserves, despite their youth, have shown resilience and composure in their feats, posing a challenge to the more seasoned Knights.
The Knights also have their own connections to Melbourne Victory Youth, with several players, such as Marc Petheriotis, Tomas Karlovic, and Anthony Duzel, having previously played for the Victory youth setup. New signing from Altona Magic, Darcy Anastovski, who scored an impressive 7 goals last season in the NPL including a match winner against the Knights, will also be keen to make an immediate impact against old teenage club. Young signing Marc Petheriotis shed light on the professionalism and preparation skills with Knights TV that he learned during his time at Victory.
“We were encouraged to always be ready for whenever the opportunity comes”.
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The narrative will also see Luka Kolic, a player with deep roots in the red, white, and blue of the Knights, make his return to Tompsett Stadium—but this time donned in the navy of Melbourne Victory Youth. Kolic, familiar with the Knights’ style of play and the stadium’s atmosphere, will be one to watch as he aims to leave a lasting impression on his old turf.
As a club deeply rooted in the history and tradition of Australian football, the Knights will face a squad bearing the name of modern powerhouse—Melbourne Victory. This hit-out is more than just another NPL fixture. It’s a symbolic confrontation of two opposing eras in Australian football. On one side, the Knights represent the legacy of the Australian soccer, a time when football was community-driven and clubs were built their grass roots. On the other, Melbourne Victory Youth embodies the corporate nature of the A-League football era, a time when top-tier teams serve as large commercial entities. For the Knights, this match acts as a chance to show that history and tradition still have a place in the modern game.
