It’s a rivalry that dates back to 2005 in the opening round of the Isuzu UTE A-League and from that moment, the hatred was born between both Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory – The Big Blue.
A match that is circled by many on the calendar when fixtures are released and on Saturday evening, they will both meet again at Allianz Stadium.
While new teams have come and gone throughout the league, the fans always have and always will have a special place for the Big Blue.
Ahead of the fixture this weekend, we asked a few of you to give your thoughts and explain what The Big Blue means to you.
Adrian Brett – Bay 214
Every year when the fixtures are released, I eagerly pencil in each Big Blue fixture into the diary, and then the countdown begins. The Big Blue represents a clash of two of Australia’s leading football clubs, and never fails to disappoint. The history between the two sides over the years has cemented the Big Blue’s status as one of the premier events on Australia’s annual sporting calendar.
The Big Blue is a fixture that has played such a large role in my interest in the A-League. My best Big Blue memory is probably one of my first Big Blue memories, when Sydney FC defeated Melbourne Victory in the 2010 A-League Grand Final at the then Etihad Stadium on penalties. A week prior, I attended my first A-League game in Sydney FC’s preliminary final win over Wellington Phoenix at a rain-soaked SFS as a 12 year old kid. This experience, which was then followed up with a Grand Final win over Sydney’s biggest rivals at the time, ignited my passion for the club.
To this day, I have vivid memories of watching Mark Bridge’s counter-attacking goal which was scored a mere 10 seconds after Victory had a goal ruled out for offside to send Sydney FC one-nil up. That game, which finished with Byun Sung-Hwan scoring the winning penalty for Sydney FC, was absolute chaos, and lives long in the memory as one of my favourite Big Blue experiences, despite me not actually being at the ground for the match. Nonetheless, I can’t wait for the next chapter of the Big Blue story to be written this Saturday night at Allianz!
Michelle Prassad – Cove Heights
The Big Blue is huge in my eyes, bigger rivalry than the Sydney Derby as it is the original of the A-League.
State vs State, city vs city… who is really the sporting capital?!
It’s always a thriller down to the last minute, edge of your seat stuff, not only on the field but the fans too. Wether you’re in active or watching the from the sidelines, the “banter” between both are next level. Our tifos are a lot better too. My heart skips a beat when I see this, and the emotions are high.
If I had to narrow down some of my favourite Big Blue moments, I would have to say these two. Our first ever meeting in 2005 at home, even thought was a draw, you knew this game and its future games will be big. I believe I fell in love with football even more that day.
My second favourite moment is our 5-0 win away in their home… We truly had the dream team then. The atmosphere was out of this world and thinking back it makes me just want it to be Saturday already.
Bring on this weekend!
James Rayment – The Cove
As the inaugural A-League teams, from the two biggest cities in Australia, the Big Blue is all about bragging rights. The history and previous encounters between the two teams just adds to the rivalry that has been built over the last 18 years.
From Grand Final penalty shoot out victories, both at home and away, to Australia Day traditions and every other encounter in between, I just love this fixture so much.
When the Isuzu UTE A-League draw is released, the Big Blue dates are the first to be reserved in my calendar. The joy from seeing us beat Victory is hard to describe, but it sure outweighs the feelings when we beat our noisy neighbours. Many of my fondest Sydney FC memories are Big Blue matches, from jumping on mates in The Cove during the 2017 Grand Final to making the Away Trips down to Melbourne in the sunshine. All I can say is, bring on this next instalment!
Jordan Warren – Bay 32
From being a Sydney FC fan from day dot, the Big Blue means a great
deal. With the Wanderers coming into the competition, the Sydney Derby has somewhat taken over (and fair enough). However, die-hard Sky Blue fans know that before Western Sydney, the Victory game was the biggest highlight of the season and in my opinion, probably is.
From the early days of Dwight Yorke opening his A-League account against Melbourne, to Kevin Muscat’s missed penalty in the 2010 grand final, this game always delivers. In the context of this season, the match on Saturday is crucial in terms of finals ramifications. A win would go a long way to securing a top six spot, so the boys will certainly be up for it because I’m sure that I will.
Match Details
Sydney FC v Melbourne Victory
Isuzu UTE A-League Round 19
Saturday 4th March 2023
Allianz Stadium, Sydney, NSW
Kick Off: 7:45pm AEDT
Gates Open: 6:45pm AEDT
Broadcast Live: Paramount+ & 10Bold
Tickets: Click Here
