Melbourne Victory were left frustrated heading into their Elimination Final after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Newcastle Jets in the final game of the 2024-25 Isuzu UTE A-League season. The match took place at AAMI Park, where Melbourne Victory dominated the first half and had a goal chalked off due to offside, as well as a penalty decision overturned via the VAR, but the deadlock remained intact at the break.
However, it took them just 90 seconds to find the back of the net after the break as defender Kasey Bos raced onto a brilliant pass from Zinedine Machach before finding the bottom corner with a crisp strike. Victory had several good chances to wrap up the result but saw a defensive mistake punished in the 83rd minute as Clayton Taylor lashed home a low, deflected effort after goalkeeper Jack Duncan was pressed when trying to play out from the back. While securing an impressive point for the away side, Taylor’s goal also equaled the record for most goals scored in an Isuzu UTE A-League season, with the Finals Series yet to get underway.
Guaranteed to finish fifth regardless of today’s result, Victory now head to CommBank Stadium on Saturday, May 10, where they’ll face fourth-placed Western Sydney Wanderers in an Elimination Final showdown. As for the Jets, head coach Rob Stanton leaves the Jets after securing a hard-fought point at AAMI Park, which sees them finish the season in ninth place with 30 points to their names.
Victory were close to scoring one of the goals of the season in the 22nd minute as passmaster Ryan Teague picked out Nishan Velupillay on the left edge of the box, and the Socceroo’s first-time, cushioned side-foot volley flew inches wide of the target in a let-off for the Jets. A minute later, the home side then had the ball in the back of the net as Nikos Vergos rounded off a precise team move; however, the goal was chalked off due to the Greek striker being offside.
Ratcheting up the pressure, Victory were awarded a penalty on the approach to half-time after Daniel Wilmering was adjudged to have fouled Daniel Arzani inside the box. However, the VAR instructed referee Shaun Evans to review the incident, and as such, the official overturned his initial call, stating no foul had been committed by the Jets defender inside the box, and a drop-ball was to be awarded instead. Completely against the run, the away side then almost snatched the most unlikely of leads as forward Lachie Rose raced through on goal but dragged his right-footed shot narrowly wide of the far post.
90 seconds after the restart, though, Melbourne Victory found the breakthrough, and it came from the boot of Bos. Picked out by a stunning cross-field pass by Machach, Bos raced into space and coolly dispatched a low, left-footed shot beyond Scott and into the far corner to make it 1-0 to the home side.
Aiming to bag his eighth goal of this Isuzu UTE A-League season, Vergos looked to catch Scott by surprise in the 53rd minute as he turned and fired a fierce shot towards the near post, but the Newcastle keeper was equal to it. Introduced into the action in the 69th minute, Brazilian Clarismario Santos thought he’d bagged Victory’s second of the afternoon soon after coming on; however, he’d strayed beyond the last defender before converting inside the box, and the goal was correctly flagged offside. Santos then went close again, this time grazing the top of the bar with a vicious effort from the edge of the area which had Scott beaten all ends up.
Looking to wrap up the result, Victory boss Diles brought on veteran striker Bruno Fornaroli in the 75th minute of the game in what could be the 37-year-old’s last regular season appearance for the club. In a rare foray forward, Japanese winger Kota Mizunuma spurned a good chance to bag the equaliser as he lashed an effort high and wide of the target, but from the resulting goal kick, the Jets were gifted an equaliser. Closed down at a short goal kick, Jack Duncan’s attempted pass out was half-blocked by Ben Gibson, enabling the Jets to gain possession inside the box, and Jets winger Clayton Taylor did the rest, drilling the ball beyond Duncan to make it 1-1.
Not only was that the goal that earned Newcastle Jets a point, but it was also the goal that equaled the record for most goals scored in an Isuzu UTE A-League season. The match ended in a draw, leaving Melbourne Victory with plenty to ponder as they head into the finals.
As the regular season draws to a close, the anticipation for the upcoming Elimination Final against Western Sydney Wanderers builds. With Victory already locked into fifth place, the stakes are high, and the team will be looking to capitalize on their home ground advantage. Coach Diles will need to ensure his players remain focused and ready to execute their game plan effectively against a formidable opponent.
Meanwhile, the Jets will be looking to regroup under new management as Mark Milligan is expected to take over after Rob Stanton's departure. The change in leadership could bring a fresh perspective and renewed energy to the squad, which will be necessary as they aim to improve on their ninth-place finish next season.
The A-League finals promise to be exciting, and both teams will be eager to make their mark as they vie for the championship. With records being equaled and the drama of the final match day, fans can expect a thrilling conclusion to the season.
