Melbourne City’s Nathaniel Atkinson ready for another taste of derby action

A Melbourne City star hopes to get the better of his former coach in Saturday night’s derby at AAMI Park.

Having not been involved in the Melbourne rivalry for the best part of three years, Nathaniel Atkinson is relishing the prospect of Saturday night’s derby at AAMI Park.

Atkinson has recently returned to Melbourne City after leaving the club in January 2022 to join Scottish outfit Hearts.

And while he loved being part of the Edinburgh derby involving his former club and Hibernian, a clash with Melbourne Victory is just as special.

“My first ever derby experience was playing in the Melbourne derby and it’s always been a fiery occasion but an enjoyable game,” Atkinson said.

“Form goes out the window, and the best team on the day wins it. If you win your individual battle, it’s always a good game.

“Hopefully the fans turn up and enjoy it as well.”

Adding extra spice to this weekend’s derby is that the Victory will be coached by Patrick Kisnorbo, who not only played for City, but guided the club to the A-League title in 2021 with a team that included Atkinson.

🗣️ “He’s even catching the raindrops the Dane!” 🤣

🧤 One of the all-time #MelbDerby performances from @TSorensen1 back in 2015!

🎟️ https://t.co/Iqzyzm4FTGpic.twitter.com/IZVHoKAd8T

— Melbourne City FC (@MelbourneCity) October 21, 2024

“I had ‘PK’ in my previous stint at Melbourne City, so I’m no stranger to the way that they'll want to do it,” the 25-year-old right-back said.

“In this day and age, people move on and people go to different teams. It is a professional environment at the end of the day.

“We have some great memories with ‘PK’, but he’s moved on. I moved on for a bit and came back.

“He’d probably like to get one over us, so we’ll see what happens.”

City bring winning form into the derby, having beaten the Newcastle Jets 1-0 at McDonald Jones Stadium on the opening weekend of the club’s A-League campaign despite being reduced to 10 men in the second-half following the dismissal of former Socceroo Jimmy Jeggo.

“Newcastle is a tough place to go and it’s always good to start the season off with a win,” said Atkinson, who played in the midfield rather than in his usual defensive position.

“When I was younger and coming through the ranks at Melbourne City I was a midfielder, so ir was nothing too new to me – I enjoyed it,” he said.

“It just depends on what the team needs.”

The Victory opened its season with a 0-0 draw in last Friday night’s grand final rematch against the Central Coast Mariners in Gosford, and also finished the game with 10 men after captain Roderick Miranda was sent off in the second-half.

“They (the Victory) are a big club and always want to fight for titles, and that’s what we want to do as well,” Atkinson said.