‘This is for you’: Melbourne Victory’s Josh Inserra’s special moment before every match driving his dream

Saturday’s elimination final is going to be tough for Victory’s Josh Inserra in more ways than one as his No.1 supporter won’t be in the stands - but he knows she will still be watching.

Before every match Joshua Inserra reads a simple message which fills him with inspiration. Picture: Olivier Rachon/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Before Josh Inserra walks on the football pitch he stands at the sideline, makes a sign of the cross, lifts his taped wrist to his lips and kisses it – if you look close enough you will see the tape has a very special message written on it.

“This is for you, I love you mum”.

The Melbourne Victory defender has written the same eight words on the tape for the past two years.

Ever since his much loved mum Tania passed away from an illness.

“I dedicate that to her every time I go out on the pitch and just do her proud,” Inserra said.

The 20-year-old defender has certainly done plenty to make his mum proud.

He has battled through the Victory academy, earned himself a contract with the senior squad, had five appearances and three starts this season and is expected to play a part in their elimination final with Western Sydney Wanderers on Saturday.

And he was part of the Young Socceroos side that won the U20 Asian Cup in China earlier this year.

“It was so good to be the first (Australian) team at an U20s level to win the Asian Cup,” Inserra said.

“Was just truly amazing and something that I’ll always remember, it was unbelievable.”

Joshua Inserra at the AFC Under 20s Asian Cup Final. Picture: Qin Zhicheng/VCG via Getty Images

Growing up in Melbourne Inserra has always been a Victory fan.

Inserra fondly remembers the last time Victory won the A-League’s grand final with a 1-0 win over Newcastle Jets. At the time he was in the Melbourne City academy – but that didn’t stop him cheering for his favourite team.

“This season has been a dream, especially to play an original rivalry game in my starting debut. It was beautiful to get the win, to be out there and play with all the boys,” Inserra said.

“I always hoped this is where I’d end.

“Each year as you build up in the academy the goal is to get a first team contract and to play in the first team, so it’s been pretty surreal to be playing at AAMI Park in front of Melbourne Victory fans, it’s always been a dream to do that.

“Dream big and work hard and anything is possible.”

Joshua Inserra tapes his wrist before each match and writes the words “This is for you, I love you mum”. (Photo by Santanu Banik/MB Media/Getty Images)

Inserra hopes to get some decent minutes on the field this weekend in the elimination final.

“They’ll be a very good side, they’re a counter attacking side so we just have to make sure we nullify that and just play our football because we know when we play our football we are the best team in the league,” Inserra said.

“As long as we can control what we can control and put everything on the line we’ll be fine.”

While focus is on this weekend Inserra said he had of course let himself think about what it would be like to be playing in the grand final.

“With the group that we have, the quality and experience we have in the change room, I definitely think we have what it takes to go all the way.”