Five biggest games from Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory’s rivalry

SYDNEY FC and Melbourne Victory are set to add another chapter to their eventful history in the grand final but these are the clashes that gave birth to the great rivalry that is the Big Blue.

Melbourne Victory's Harry Kewell and Sydney FC's Brett Emerton weren’t the headline of that 2011 clash.

THEY call it the Big Blue and it is always one of the most anticipated A-League rivalries on the annual calendar.

Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory are set to add another chapter to their eventful history in the 2017 grand final but before that, let’s take a look back at the clashes that made the rivalry.

The big kick-off

August 28, 2005 │ Sydney FC 1-1 Melbourne Victory

The Sky Blues’ debut in the A-League kicked off in the best possible way, with 23,000-odd pouring the gates and Dwight Yorke delighting the home crowd with a diving header to open the scoring. Archie Thompson’s equaliser put a slight dampener on things and kick started the rivalry.

Dwight Yorke after scoring his first goal in Sydney FC’s debut A-League match.

Rudan and Fred get physical

October 21, 2006│ Sydney FC 1-2 Melbourne Victory

It’s not for nothing that the Big Blue became so named, and this was the first taste of some serious aggro. Mark Rudan was sent off after just 14 minutes, and Fred should have been after elbowing Mark Milligan so badly the Sydney defender could hardly breathe.

Bridge sees red

October 8, 2011 │ Melbourne Victory 0-0 Sydney FC

The headlines beforehand were all about Harry Kewell and Brett Emerton facing off in their return to the A-League, but after Emerton missed a penalty it was Bridge who fired up with a forearm to the throat of Roddy Vargas that earned him an early bath.

Melbourne Victory's Harry Kewell and Sydney FC's Brett Emerton weren’t the headline of that 2011 clash.

Ian Crook’s chair goes flying

November 10, 2012 │ Sydney FC 2-3 Melbourne Victory

Sydney had sailed into a two-nil lead against their old enemies. But a spectacular implosion in the latter stages saw them concede in 13 minutes, and coach Ian Crook kicked his chair over in frustration — before resigning hours later.

Sydney go five-star in Melbourne

January 26, 2014 │ Melbourne Victory 0-5 Sydney FC

Still a day whose mention can make Sydney fans’ eyes glaze over, it was the Sky Blues’ biggest win over Victory. Ahead 3-0 inside 25 minutes, the visitors blew Victory away — even Seb Ryall scored against his old side.

Melbourne Victory's Andrew Nabbout (centre) celebrates with fans after their comeback 2010 win.

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Originally published as Five biggest games from Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory’s rivalry