No one knows the rough and tumble of a Big Blue better than Sydney FC legend David Carney.
The two-time Championship winner scored more goals against Melbourne Victory than any other club in his illustrious career with six strikes.
As a World Cup Socceroo, Carney knew how to perform in the big games, coming off the bench in the 2017 Grand Final to set up Rhyan Grant’s equalizer and going on to score a crucial penalty in the shootout.
But one game stands out in particular in terms of tension for ‘Super Dave’ and it was the 2018 Semi-Final where Terry Antonis scored at both ends.
“The year before we won it [the Grand Final] against them and tensions where high, they always have been with them.
“We both had good players, there was a lot of media talk between Arnie and Muscat and we all had a lot of winners and good players.
“Of course we are always looking at bragging rights and the players loved all the paper talk to be honest.
“We were on a streak against them too and they hadn’t beaten us for a while.”
The game didn’t pan out as expected however with Victory’s Stefan Nigro putting through his own net before Kosta Barbarouses and James Troisi gave Melbourne a 2-1 lead.
It looked as though the Sky Blues were heading out until a late Terry Antonis own goal gave them an incredible late equalizer.
“Being 2-1 down, the tension and frustration builds because you want to win in front of a big crowd.
“And the emotion is incredible when you score that late, you think it’s going to be your day.
“We’d dominated the league and we thought it would go to extra time and maybe penalties again.”
The clash did go to extra-time and this time Antonis would score at the right end for Victory to take them into the Grand Final.
It was at that point tensions boiled over and Melbourne Assistant Coach Jean-Paul de Marigny came onto the pitch and approached Carney.
“When they scored their goal JP rubbed it in my face,” he continued.
“That didn’t sit well so there was a lot of things said.
“We had a little bit of a scuffle but I think it was more of a release of frustration for them after we had got the better of them over many years prior.
“It wasn’t anything malicious just heat of the moment stuff I guess but to lose to them was devastating on that night.”
De Marigny and Victory goalkeeper coach Dean Anastasiadis were both sent off after the incident for encroaching on the field.
And much was said on social media about the clash.
“It’s always great for Sydney FC to get one over them and since the A-League started it has been the big Blue.
“I’d love to see the Sydney boys get one over them again this Saturday.”
Sydney FC meet Melbourne Victory in the Big Blue this Saturday night at Allianz Stadium in a 7.45pm kick off.
Match Details
Sydney FC v Melbourne Victory
Isuzu UTE A-League Round 1
Saturday 21st October 2023
Allianz Stadium, Sydney, NSW
Kick Off: 7:45pm AEDT
Gates Open: 6:45pm AEDT
Broadcast Live: Paramount+ & 10Bold
Tickets: Click Here
