# 2012–13 Melbourne Victory FC season

The Melbourne Victory 2012–13 season is Melbourne Victory's eighth A-League season.

## Season summary

At the start of the 2012–13 season Ubay Luzardo and Jean Carlos Solórzano returned to their respective clubs after their loan deals had expired.
In April 2012 Ange Postecoglou was appointed as Melbourne Victory manager. Veterans Grant Brebner and Ante Covic were released from Melbourne Victory. Fabio was then released and signed a two-year contract with archrival Sydney FC.
In May 2012, it was announced that Carlos Hernandez had exited Melbourne Victory after the club couldn't come to agree a new deal with him as they attempted to slash costs to fit him into the salary cap. On 26 May, Matthew Kemp retired from the A-League.
In June 2012 Harry Kewell quit Melbourne Victory to return to England to be with his family due to problems with his mother-in-law's health.
Several signings took place during pre-season period. Ivorian defender Adama Traoré was signed from the defunct Gold Coast United, Sam Gallagher was signed from Central Coast Mariners, Brazilian attacking midfielder Guilherme Finkler was signed from Criciúma Esporte Clube, Mauritian defensive midfield Jonathan Bru was signed from Moreirense F.C., Spase Dilevski was signed from Adelaide United, Theo Markelis was signed from Vicenza Calcio, former Johnny Warren Medal winner Marco Flores was signed from Henan Jianye and Mark Milligan was signed from JEF United Ichihara Chiba after an impressive loan spell with Melbourne Victory under former coach Jim Magilton.
In July 2012 it was announced that the club had agreed to a sponsorship deal for naming rights of the newly formed statewide Victory League based in Tasmania.
On 18 October 2012 Daniel Allsopp announced his retirement from professional football after four games from the new season. while Nathan Coe returned to Australia to sign with Melbourne Victory on a three-year deal. on 24 October 2012.
During January transfer window, Petar Franjic, Isaka Cernak & Julius Davies were released and replaced by Francesco Stella, Jesse Makarounas, Jason Geria & Scott Galloway. Former Adelaide United defender Daniel Mullen was loaned from Dalian Aerbin to replace injured Nicolas Ansell for the rest of the season.
Melbourne Victory finished the season in third place in the ladder and lost to Central Coast Mariners in final series semi-final but they are qualified for 2014 Asian Champions League if Australia is given 2.5 slots based on the 2013 AFC Champions League evaluation.
On 18 April 2013, a few days before the previous season ended, Marco Rojas quit Melbourne Victory to pursue his career in Europe after Melbourne Victory was defeated in the final series semi-final. On the following day, Tando Velaphi, Diogo Ferreira, Sam Gallagher and Spase Dilevski were released from the club.

## Players
### Squad

As of 28 January 2013.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| 1 | GK | AUS | Tando Velaphi |
| 2 | DF | AUS | Matthew Foschini |
| 3 | DF | CIV | Adama Traoré |
| 5 | DF | AUS | Mark Milligan |
| 6 | MF | AUS | Leigh Broxham |
| 7 | MF | BRA | Guilherme Finkler |
| 8 | MF | MRI | Jonathan Bru |
| 9 | MF | ARG | Marcos Flores |
| 10 | FW | AUS | Archie Thompson (Vice-captain) |
| 11 | MF | NZL | Marco Rojas |
| 13 | MF | AUS | Diogo Ferreira |
| 14 | MF | AUS | Billy Celeski |
| 15 | DF | AUS | Sam Gallagher |
| 16 | FW | AUS | Theo Markelis (Youth) |
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| 17 | MF | AUS | James Jeggo (Youth) |
| 18 | MF | AUS | Francesco Stella |
| 20 | GK | AUS | Lawrence Thomas (Youth) |
| 21 | DF | AUS | Spase Dilevski |
| 22 | FW | AUS | Jesse Makarounas (Youth) |
| 23 | DF | AUS | Adrian Leijer (Captain) |
| 24 | DF | AUS | Nicolas Ansell (Youth) |
| 25 | FW | AUS | Luke O'Dea (Youth) |
| 26 | FW | AUS | Andrew Nabbout (Youth) |
| 27 | MF | AUS | Christopher Cristaldo (Youth) |
| 30 | DF | AUS | Jason Geria (Youth) |
| 31 | DF | AUS | Scott Galloway (Youth) |
| 32 | FW | AUS | Connor Pain (Youth) |
| 39 | GK | AUS | Nathan Coe |

### From the youth system

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| 24 | DF | AUS | Nicolas Ansell |
| 25 | FW | AUS | Luke O'Dea |
| 26 | FW | AUS | Andrew Nabbout |
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| 27 | MF | AUS | Christopher Cristaldo |
| 30 | DF | AUS | Jason Geria |

## Transfers
### Winter
#### In

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| 3 | DF | CIV | Adama Traoré (Free Transfer from Gold Coast United) |
| 5 | DF | AUS | Mark Milligan (Free Transfer from JEF United Ichihara Chiba) |
| 7 | MF | BRA | Guilherme Finkler (Free Transfer from Criciúma) |
| 8 | MF | MRI | Jonathan Bru (Free Transfer from Moreirense) |
| 9 | MF | ARG | Marcos Flores (Free Transfer from Henan Jianye) |
| 15 | DF | AUS | Sam Gallagher (Free Transfer from Central Coast Mariners) |
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| 16 | FW | AUS | Theo Markelis (Free Transfer from Vicenza) |
| 21 | DF | AUS | Spase Dilevski (Free Transfer from Adelaide United) |
| 22 | FW | AUS | Julius Davies (Free Transfer from TSG 1899 Hoffenheim) |
| 39 | GK | AUS | Nathan Coe (Free Transfer from SønderjyskE) |

#### Out

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| 3 | DF | BRA | Fábio (Free Transfer to Sydney FC) |
| 7 | DF | AUS | Matthew Kemp (Free Transfer to West Adelaide) |
| 8 | MF | SCO | Grant Brebner (Free Transfer to Moreland Zebras) |
| 9 | FW | CRC | Jean Carlos Solórzano (Loan Return to Alajuelense) |
| 12 | DF | AUS | Rodrigo Vargas (Free Transfer to Green Gully) |
| 15 | MF | AUS | Tom Pondeljak (Free Transfer to St Albans Saints) |
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| 16 | MF | CRC | Carlos Hernández (Free Transfer to Prayag United) |
| 18 | FW | AUS | Danny Allsopp (Retired) |
| 21 | GK | AUS | Ante Čović (Free Transfer to Western Sydney Wanderers) |
| 22 | FW | AUS | Harry Kewell (Released) |
| 28 | DF | ESP | Ubay Luzardo (Loan Return to Kitchee) |

### Summer
#### In

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| 18 | MF | AUS | Francesco Stella (Free Transfer from Rangers) |
| 22 | FW | AUS | Jesse Makarounas (Free Transfer from Perth Glory) |
| 30 | DF | AUS | Jason Geria (Free Transfer from Brisbane Roar Youth) |
| 31 | DF | AUS | Scott Galloway (Free Transfer from AIS) |
| 33 | DF | AUS | Daniel Mullen (Loan from Dalian Aerbin) |

#### Out

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| 4 | DF | AUS | Petar Franjic (Released) |
| 19 | MF | AUS | Isaka Cernak (Free Transfer to Wellington Phoenix) |
| 22 | FW | AUS | Julius Davies (Free Transfer to Brisbane Roar) |

### Post-season
#### Out

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| 1 | GK | AUS | Tando Velaphi (Released) |
| 11 | FW | AUS | Marco Rojas (Free transfer to VfB Stuttgart) |
| 13 | DF | AUS | Diogo Ferreira (Released) |
| 15 | DF | AUS | Sam Gallagher (Released) |
| 21 | DF | AUS | Spase Dilevski (Released) |
| 33 | DF | AUS | Daniel Mullen (Loan return to Dalian Aerbin) |

## Coaching staff

| Position | Staff |
| Manager | Ange Postecoglou |
| Assistant manager | Kevin Muscat |
| Coach | Chris O'Loughlin |
| Goalkeeping Coach | Steve Mautone |
| Fitness Coach | Adam Basil |
| Sports Scientist | Anita Pedrana |
| Physiotherapist | Sam Bugeja |
| Physiotherapist | Daniel Jones |
| Physiotherapist | Sharbil Wehbe |
| Personal Trainer | Andrew Brown |
| Club Doctor | Dr. Anik Shawdon |
Source:

## Competitions
### Overall

| Competition | Started Round | Current position / round | Final position / round | First match | Last match |
| A-League | — | — | 3rd | 5 October 2012 | 31 March 2013 |
| A-League final series | Elimination final | Semi-finals | 3rd | 5 April 2013 | 14 April 2013 |
| National Youth League | — | — | Premiers | 20 October 2012 | 3 March 2013 |
| W-League | — | — | 3rd | 20 October 2012 | 13 January 2013 |
| W-League final series | Semi-finals | Grand final | Runners-up | 20 January 2013 | 27 January 2013 |

### A-League
#### Results summary

| Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Home | Home | Home | Home | Home | Home | Away | Away | Away | Away | Away | Away |
Last updated: 27 August 2013. Source:

#### League table

| Pos | Teamvte | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
| 1 | Western Sydney Wanderers | 27 | 18 | 3 | 6 | 41 | 21 | +20 | 57 | Qualification for 2014 AFC Champions League group stage and finals series |
| 2 | Central Coast Mariners (C) | 27 | 16 | 6 | 5 | 48 | 22 | +26 | 54 | Qualification for 2014 AFC Champions League group stage and finals series |
| 3 | Melbourne Victory | 27 | 13 | 5 | 9 | 48 | 45 | +3 | 44 | Qualification for 2014 AFC Champions League qualifying play-off and finals series |
| 4 | Adelaide United | 27 | 12 | 5 | 10 | 38 | 37 | +1 | 41 | Qualification for Finals series |
| 5 | Brisbane Roar | 27 | 10 | 5 | 12 | 33 | 29 | +4 | 35 | Qualification for Finals series |
| 6 | Perth Glory | 27 | 9 | 5 | 13 | 29 | 31 | −2 | 32 | Qualification for Finals series |
| 7 | Sydney FC | 27 | 9 | 5 | 13 | 41 | 51 | −10 | 32 | |
| 8 | Newcastle Jets | 27 | 8 | 7 | 12 | 30 | 45 | −15 | 31 | |
| 9 | Melbourne Heart | 27 | 8 | 3 | 16 | 31 | 40 | −9 | 27 | |
| 10 | Wellington Phoenix | 27 | 7 | 6 | 14 | 31 | 49 | −18 | 27 | |
* ↑ Since the winner of 2013 A-League Grand Final (Central Coast Mariners) qualified for the 2014 AFC Champions League group stage, the 3rd placed team qualified for the qualifying play-off of 2014 AFC Champions League.
* ↑ Wellington Phoenix cannot qualify for the AFC Champions League as they are not recognised as an AFC club.

### National Youth League
#### League table

| Pos | Teamvte | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
| 1 | Melbourne Victory Youth (C) | 18 | 12 | 1 | 5 | 57 | 20 | +37 | 37 |
| 2 | Central Coast Mariners Academy | 18 | 12 | 1 | 5 | 38 | 28 | +10 | 37 |
| 3 | Newcastle Jets Youth | 18 | 10 | 1 | 7 | 54 | 36 | +18 | 31 |
| 4 | Brisbane Roar Youth | 18 | 9 | 3 | 6 | 39 | 34 | +5 | 30 |
| 5 | Perth Glory Youth | 18 | 8 | 1 | 9 | 45 | 45 | 0 | 25 |
| 6 | Melbourne Heart Youth | 18 | 8 | 1 | 9 | 32 | 34 | −2 | 25 |
| 7 | Western Sydney Wanderers Youth | 18 | 7 | 4 | 7 | 29 | 41 | −12 | 25 |
| 8 | Adelaide United Youth | 18 | 6 | 4 | 8 | 35 | 42 | −7 | 22 |
| 9 | Sydney FC Youth | 18 | 6 | 3 | 9 | 41 | 46 | −5 | 21 |
| 10 | AIS Football Program | 18 | 2 | 1 | 15 | 23 | 58 | −35 | 7 |

#### Results summary

| Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Home | Home | Home | Home | Home | Home | Away | Away | Away | Away | Away | Away |
Source:

#### League Goalscorers by round

| Total | Player | Player | Goals per Game | Goals per Game | Goals per Game | Goals per Game | Goals per Game | Goals per Game | Goals per Game | Goals per Game | Goals per Game | Goals per Game | Goals per Game | Goals per Game | Goals per Game | Goals per Game | Goals per Game | Goals per Game | Goals per Game | Goals per Game |
| Total | Player | Player | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 |
| 9 | | Chris Cristaldo | | | | | 1 | | | 1 | | | | 1 | 1 | | | 3 | 2 | |
| 7 | | Luke O'Dea | | | 1 | | | | | 1 | | 2 | | 2 | | 1 | | | | |
| 6 | | Theo Markelis | 1 | | 1 | 1 | | | | | | | | | 1 | | | 2 | | |
| 5 | | John Buceto | | | | | | 2 | | | | | | 1 | | | 1 | 1 | | |
| 4 | | Connor Pain | | | | | 1 | | | 2 | | | | 1 | | | | | | |
| 3 | | Isaka Cernak | 1 | | 1 | | | | 1 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 3 | | Julius Davies | | | 2 | | | | | | 1 | | | | | | | | | |
| 3 | | Andrew Nabbout | | | 1 | | | | | | | | | 1 | | | 1 | | | |
| 3 | | Francesco Stella | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 3 | | | |
| 2 | | Jake Nakic | 1 | 1 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 2 | | Luc Jeggo | | | 1 | | | 1 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 2 | | James Jeggo | | | | | | | | | | | | 2 | | | | | | |
| 2 | | Sam Gallagher | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2 | | | |
| 1 | | Matthew Foschini | | | | | | | 1 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 1 | | Spase Dilevski | | | | | | | | 1 | | | | | | | | | | |
| 1 | | Hernan Espindola | | | | | | | | | | | | | 1 | | | | | |
| 1 | | Jesse Makarounas | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 1 | | | | |
| 1 | | Dylan Murnane | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 1 | |
| 1 | – | Own goal | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 1 | | | | |
| 57 | Total | Total | 3 | 1 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 2 | | 8 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 6 | 3 | |

### W-League
#### Results summary

| Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Home | Home | Home | Home | Home | Home | Away | Away | Away | Away | Away | Away |
Source:

#### League table

| Pos | Teamvte | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
| 1 | Brisbane Roar | 12 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 28 | 15 | +13 | 26 | Qualification to Finals series |
| 2 | Perth Glory | 12 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 34 | 20 | +14 | 24 | Qualification to Finals series |
| 3 | Melbourne Victory | 12 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 26 | 14 | +12 | 23 | Qualification to Finals series |
| 4 | Sydney FC (C) | 12 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 30 | 24 | +6 | 20 | Qualification to Finals series |
| 5 | Canberra United | 12 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 25 | 20 | +5 | 18 | |
| 6 | Western Sydney Wanderers | 12 | 4 | 1 | 7 | 19 | 23 | −4 | 13 | |
| 7 | Newcastle Jets | 12 | 1 | 3 | 8 | 15 | 33 | −18 | 6 | |
| 8 | Adelaide United | 12 | 2 | 0 | 10 | 12 | 40 | −28 | 6 | |

#### League goalscorers by round

| Total | Player | Player | Goals per Game | Goals per Game | Goals per Game | Goals per Game | Goals per Game | Goals per Game | Goals per Game | Goals per Game | Goals per Game | Goals per Game | Goals per Game | Goals per Game | Goals per Game | Goals per Game |
| Total | Player | Player | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | SF | GF |
| 7 | | Jessica McDonald | | | | | 1 | 1 | 2 | | | 2 | 1 | | | |
| 5 | | Laura Špiranović | | | | 1 | | 1 | 1 | | | | 1 | | 1 | |
| 4 | | Enza Barilla | | | | | 1 | | 1 | | | | | 2 | | |
| 3 | | Petra Larsson | | | | | | | | | | 1 | 1 | | | 1 |
| 2 | | Stephanie Catley | | | | 1 | | | 1 | | | | | | | |
| 2 | | Jessica Fishlock | | | | | 1 | | | | 1 | | | | | |
| 2 | | Amy Jackson | | | | | | | | | 1 | | | 1 | | |
| 1 | | Rebekah Stott | | | 1 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 1 | | Maika Ruyter-Hooley | | | | | | | | 1 | | | | | | |
| 1 | | Danielle Johnson | | | | | | | | | | | 1 | | | |

## Statistics
### Squad stats

| | A-League | Finals | Total Stats |
| Games played | 27 | 2 | 29 |
| Games won | 13 | 1 | 14 |
| Games drawn | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| Games lost | 9 | 1 | 10 |
| Goals scored | 48 | 2 | 50 |
| Goals conceded | 45 | 2 | 47 |
| Goal difference | +3 | 0 | +3 |
| Clean sheets | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| Red cards | 2 | 0 | 2 |
Last updated: 26 August 2013 Source:

### Player stats

| No. | Pos. | Name | A-League | A-League | Finals | Finals | Total | Total | Discipline | Discipline |
| No. | Pos. | Name | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | | |
| 1 | GK | Tando Velaphi | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2 | DF | Matthew Foschini | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 3 | DF | Adama Traoré | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 4 | DF | Petar Franjic | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 5 | DF | Mark Milligan | 9 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| 6 | MF | Leigh Broxham | 1(7) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1(7) | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 7 | MF | Guilherme Finkler | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 8 | MF | Jonathan Bru | 5(6) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5(6) | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 9 | MF | Marcos Flores | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
| 10 | FW | Archie Thompson | 8 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| 11 | MF | Marco Rojas | 11 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| 13 | MF | Diogo Ferreira | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| 14 | MF | Billy Celeski | 10(1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10(1) | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| 15 | DF | Sam Gallagher | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 16 | FW | Theo Markelis | (5) | 0 | 0 | 0 | (5) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 17 | MF | James Jeggo | 1(6) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1(6) | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 19 | MF | Isaka Cernak | 1(2) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1(2) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 20 | GK | Lawrence Thomas | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 21 | MF | Spase Dilevski | 1(1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1(1) | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 22 | MF | Julius Davies | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 23 | DF | Adrian Leijer | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 24 | DF | Nick Ansell | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 25 | FW | Luke O'Dea | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 26 | FW | Andrew Nabbout | 5(4) | 4 | 0 | 0 | 5(4) | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| 27 | MF | Christopher Cristaldo | (1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | (1) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 28 | MF | Kwabena Boahene | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 29 | MF | John Buceto | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 30 | DF | Jason Geria | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 31 | MF | Jake Nakic | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 32 | GK | Phillip Petrovski | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 33 | MF | Dylan Murnane | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 34 | MF | Luc Jeggo | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 35 | DF | Connor Pain | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 36 | GK | Luke Radonich | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 37 | MF | Jordan Brown | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 39 | GK | Nathan Coe | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| — | – | Own goals | – | 0 | – | 0 | – | 0 | – | – |

## Awards
### Goal of the Week

| Week | Goal scorer |
| 6 | Andrew Nabbout |
| 9 | Marco Rojas |
| 11 | Mark Milligan |
| 12 | Archie Thompson |
| 13 | Marco Rojas |

### Save of the Week

| Week | Goalkeeper |
| 9 | Nathan Coe |
| 12 | Nathan Coe |