A rivalry that extends beyond football, a history that deepens with every match played irrespective of the result.
The incidents, the characters, the trophies, the successes and failures. They call it the Big Blue because that is exactly what it is – the biggest game of the regular season and the bluest of battles. This is Sydney FC versus Melbourne Victory.
One of the centrepiece regular season fixtures, this game consistently produces the best advertisement for the A-League both on-and-off the pitch. With 35 previous meetings behind them, there is rarely a dull moment when these sides meet.
Now in season 11 of the A-League, this rivalry is still one of, if not the biggest in the competition, arguably fiercer and more bitter than these sides’ respective derbies with their city neighbours. With so many great clashes Outside90’s Marissa Lordanic looks at 10 of the very best Big Blues from seasons gone by.
Grand final, 2009-10
This was a historic Big Blue. It was the first time these sides had met in a grand final, it was the first time the title decider had both teams score, go to extra time and then be decided on penalties. At the time it was the greatest finish to an A-League season. There was drama everywhere – the loss of Archie Thompson early on, Rodrigo Vargas’ disallowed goal being immediately countered with a legitimate goal from Sydney, Adrian Leijer’s equaliser and the penalty miss from Kevin Muscat, all are now synonymous with the 2009-10 grand final.
Grand final, 2014-15
One of the most important clashes for Victory fans in particular. This match was about redemption, about reclaiming the title that was lost on home soil five years earlier. Whereas the sides were evenly matched back in 2009-10, Melbourne were dominant on this occasion. Goals to Besart Berisha, Kosta Barbarouses and Leigh Broxham secured the Victory their third title.
Major semi-final leg-two, 2009-10
The host of the grand final was determined via a two-legged playoff between first and second in season 2009-10, meaning there were four Big Blues between mid-February and mid-March. Victory’s highest point in that period was the 2-2 draw at Allianz Stadium. Having taken a 2-1 lead in the first-leg at Etihad Stadium, it was 2-1 to Sydney at the end of the 90 minutes, meaning the ledger was even on aggregate. A quick free-kick variation between Muscat and Thompson in the 114th minute earned the Melbourne side the hosting rights for the final and a week off.
Round 1, 2010-11
Their first meeting since the 2009-10 grand final was a cracking 3-3 draw. Sydney were two goals up thanks to Alex Brosque and Terry McFlynn, before a seven minute burst from the Victory saw them score three times in reply. Leigh Broxham, Mate Dugandzic and Billy Celeski put the visitors ahead, before a last minute Shannon Cole free-kick ensured the points were shared.
Round 8, 2005-06
The very first meeting between these two sides ended in a 1-1 draw in Sydney, yet the first match in Melbourne saw Victory dominate the Sky Blues, recording a 5-0 win. Braces to stalwarts Muscat and Thompson, along with a goal to Austrian import Richard Kitzbichler saw the Victory record the first ever Big Blue win. Of course, in the greater scheme of things, Sydney would go on to win the championship that same season.
Round 16, 2013-14
Sydney’s demolition of the Victory on Australia Day 2014 saw Alessandro Del Piero score a double, Seb Ryall waltz past his old team to score one of his rare goals and the Sky Blues humiliate Victory with their second 5-0 loss in as many weeks. Kevin Muscat’s men, however, would have the last laugh in season 2013-14, knocking Sydney out in the first week of finals.
Round 17, 2008-09
Both sides entered this match desperate for a win, but the Sky Blues got off to the perfect start when Shannon Cole opened the scoring less than 30 seconds into the game with a stunning strike. Brendan Gan doubled their advantage not even five minutes into the game with an equally impressive hit. Victory’s comeback began in the 14th minute though, with Thompson pegging one back for the home side, whule Nick Ward equalised within seconds of being introduced to the game and Ney Fabiano sealed all three points.
Round 10, 2009-10
The 2009-10 season saw Sydney and Victory face-off in three regular season games, as well as three finals clashes. They first met in round 10, with Sydney defeating Melbourne 3-0. The Sky Blues were 2-0 up in the opening 15 minutes through goals from Alex Brosque and Mark Bridge, before the latter secured his brace less than five minutes later. Sydney were able to bookend season five of the A-League with wins at Etihad Stadium against their bitter rivals.
Round 6, 2012-13
Andrew Nabbout will go down in Victory’s history as the catalyst for one the Melbourne side’s greatest ever comebacks. Down 2-0 at Allianz Stadium, Nabbout’s introduction with 22 minutes to go saw the young attacker score a goal either side of Thompson’s toe poke, to record a famous come from behind win for the Victory.
Round 27, 2009-10
The final round of season 2009-10 saw first play second with the Premier’s Plate on the line. It was the first piece of silverware for Sydney that season and their first since the inaugural championship win. Goals to Slovakian Karol Kisel and John Aloisi secured the Sky Blues the plate, in what was just one of the many great Big Blues to come out of season five.
Remember this great Victory moment? Aloisi seals our Premiership win! Get ready for Saturday!! #SydneyIsSkyBluehttps://t.co/qxOdRf6wDP
— Sydney FC (@SydneyFC) November 11, 2015
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