Victory finally turn on style

Strike force ... Marco Rojas (2nd R) is congratulated on his second goal. Source: George Salpigtidis / News Limited

Marco Rojas celebrated his 21st birthday with two gift goals against his former A-League club as Melbourne Victory climbed into the top six with a 3-2 win over Wellington at Etihad Stadium on Monday night.

Marcos Flores scored Melbourne's other, before two late long-range goals from Wellington's Jeremy Brockie gave the home side a scare.

The Victory displaced Sydney FC from sixth spot on goal difference, after the Sky Blues' horror 7-2 loss to Central Coast on Saturday, with Melbourne to meet Sydney on Saturday night.

		P	W	D	L	GD	Pts
1	Adelaide	5	4	0	1	5	12
2	Central Coast	5	3	1	1	6	10
3	Perth	5	3	0	2	2	9
4	Newcastle	5	3	0	2	0	9
5	Western Sydney	5	2	1	2	0	7
6	Victory	5	2	0	3	-5	6
7	Sydney	5	2	0	3	-6	6
8	Wellington	5	1	2	2	-1	5
9	Brisbane	5	1	1	3	2	4
10	Heart	5	1	1	3	-3	4

In front of a 20,683-strong crowd, Melbourne dominated most of the match, continually finding holes in Wellington's defence before breaking through in the 23rd minute with a beautifully-constructed opener.

The architect was Brazilian midfielder Gui Finkler, back from injury and producing form not seen in his previous three A-League matches.

Finkler sent a perfectly-weighted ball from midfield into the path of Thompson on the right, freeing the Socceroos striker to run to the edge of the box, draw Mark Paston, then pass to Rojas for the simplest of finishes.

That was topped in the 38th minute, when Argentine Flores worked his way into the box, exchanged a deft series of passes with Finkler then swerved a shot inside the left post with the outside of his right boot.

The win looked assured three minutes into the second half when Mark Milligan sent Thompson clear in attack and Thompson set up Rojas for another easy goal.

Wellington coach Ricki Herbert tried to spark his team with a double substitution soon after, pulling attacking pair Paul Ifill and Stein Huysegems.

The visitors pressed hard late and were rewarded with a ripping 81st-minute goal from Brockie, whose long-range left-footer struck the underside of the crossbar on the way in.

Brockie scored again two minutes into stoppage time, with a free kick which keeper Nathan Coe knocked back only after it crossed the goal line, forcing Melbourne to face a nervous remaining two minutes.

Melbourne Victory coach Ange Postecoglou said the disappointing finish left a bad taste in his mouth despite dominating for so long.

"The last half-hour was unacceptable, we've got to be better than that,'' he said.

"We're working really hard on a style of play and being disciplined about it and we veered away from it.

"The result was the last thing on my mind. I'm just really disappointed that we chose to veer away from what we've been doing.''

Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert said the score flattered his side.

"We weren't good enough tonight. Let's pay credit to Melbourne - I thought they were very good and we were very disappointing,'' Herbert said.

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Relive the game with all the vital stats and key highlights in our A-League Match Centre.

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Parko, Slater battle for crown

Joel Parkinson ... will battle Kelly Slater for the 2012 ASP world title in Hawaii. Source: AFP

Australia's Joel Parkinson and Kelly Slater are set to duel for this year's ASP world surfing title after two contenders stumbled in the penultimate event in California.

Hawaiian John John Florence's hopes were extinguished when he was upset by NSW surfer Matt Wilkinson in the second round of the O'Neill Coldwater Classic at Steamer Lane in Santa Cruz.

And Mick Fanning's chances of claiming a third world title are hanging by a thread after Brazilian Jadson Andre pipped the Australian, also in round two.

Standings leader Parkinson and 11-time world champion Slater are safely through but no matter who banks the most points in California, the season-ending Billabong Pipe Masters in Oahu, Hawaii in December will decide the title.

Slater survived a hard-fought battle with Dusty Payne in the third round to eliminate the chance of Parkinson sewing up the world crown.

"I just can't seem to figure this wave out, Slater said.

"So I better figure something out quick."

Parkinson was far too good for American Nat Young as the 31-year-old Coolangatta natural footer chases his maiden world title after finishing runner-up in 2002, 2004 and 2009.

"I need a win here," Parkinson said.

"It's what I'm striving for and I can't really control what everyone else does, so I'm just worrying about myself."

Fanning's shock 0.06-point defeat by Andre means he'll be relying on Slater and Parkinson no to make the final and will then need to win the Pipe Masters.

Andre was later beaten by 34-year-old Australian veteran Taj Burrow.

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Watch all the action from the O'Neill Coldwater Classic at Steamer Lane LIVE on FUEL.

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'The best we've seen Victory'

Goal of the season? ... Marcos Flores finishes off a sublime Victory goal. Source: George Salpigtidis / News Limited

Fox Sports football experts Mark Bosnich and Robbie Slater are joined by Central Coast Mariners defender Patrick Zwaanswijk to review the weekend's A-League action, with Bozza praising Western Sydney Wanderers for getting it right so quickly.

Melbourne Victory 3 defeated Wellington Phoenix 2 at Etihad Stadium

Slater says: That first half was scintillating - the best we've seen the Victory all season. The combination of Guilherme Finkler-Marcos Flores sets up one of the goals of the season. They went in 2-0 and they totally dominated the Wellington Phoenix. It didn't look like the Phoenix were going to be in the game at all in the second half, and it started off that way. They had a bit more possession but in one counter-attack they just never got to grips with the penetration from Archie Thompson and Marco Rojas. Happy 21st birthday for Rojas as Archie's given him two big presents. The travel is a killer for Wellington; I think that may be a factor. They looked very lethargic in the first half. But Jeremy Brockie, wow. That's one of the goal of the season contenders that first one.

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Adelaide United 1 defeated Brisbane Roar 0 at Suncorp Stadium

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Bozza says: It was a very good free kick from Vidosic that separated the two sides, although it was a bit fortunate to take a deflection. I was a little bit startled that Rado Vidosic said at the end of the game that Adelaide's early goal 'pretty much killed us'. In past seasons, that for me would have inspired them. A few problems up there for Vidosic. The Roar aren't playing at the same tempo and the same pace for the whole game, especially in that last third. It's very, very important, especially when you play the ball around like the Roar, that when you're up in that last third you increase the tempo because there's some very good defences in the A-League and they'll be comfortable if the Roar don't play with more pace. The tackle on Berisha wasn't a penalty.

Patrick Zwaanswijk says: Brisbane had plenty of chances. They created a lot but they didn't have that many shots on goal. The Roar copped an early goal and then Adelaide dropped behind the ball and defended in numbers and the Roar need to be prepared for that because that's what sides will try to do once they get a lead.

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Perth Glory 3 defeated Newcastle Jets 2 at NiB Stadium

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Bozza says: Fantastic game. I think it was the game of the round. I think Van Egmond would be disappointed the Jets didn't at least pick up a point out of it. I thought they deserved a point. Both sides really had a go at each other. The Jets had enough chances not only to get a point, but probably to win the game and they came away with nothing. It was another really exciting game. Perth came back really well from last week's disappointment against Sydney. You can understand exactly where Van Egmond was coming from, saying he was pleased with the performance, but I think he wouls have had a quiet word to his players to say he was disappointed they didn't at least get a draw.

Patrick Zwaanswijk says: Perth always give 100 per cent and are a very good team. If you can go with them and match them physically you can pick up the three points but the Glory always give it all in that respect.

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Western Sydney Wanderers 2 defeated Melbourne Heart 1 at Parramatta Stadium

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Bozza says: The Wanderers are going really well and it was great to see them get their first win in front of their home fans. There's a bit of talk about their attack not being good enough but I don't see any need for them to change the way they play. Why fix something that's not broken? They didn't win for their first three games but they only really needed to give it a slight tweak, which they did. Poppa's made it very clear he's going to build his side from the back. And his triumvirate of the goalkeeper and two central defenders have been outstanding. They're starting to really come in to their own. If they could add perhaps a little bit more quality up front - maybe a striker or a wide man - just to help their squad depth, they're going to be a real threat. I believe that. Joey Gibbs has been excellent since he's come in. He can hold the ball up, he's mobile and he adds another dimension to their play.

Patrick Zwaanswijk says: We don't have to keep talking about the Wanderers as a young side because there's a salary cap and there's only a few clubs with a bit of extra money that go outside that. They've got Aaron Mooy and Shinji Ono, who control the team well, they're defensively hard to break down, they've got experienced players at the back and experienced players at the front. So, yeah, they're a young team but the players within the team have got experience.

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Central Coast Mariners 7 defeated Sydney FC 2 at Bluetongue Stadium

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Bozza says: Ian Crook said last night that his players didn't lack heart, well I'm not sure based on that game that he should have said that. It's not good enough. Sydney's one of the truly big clubs in this country, and I mean that judging by support and success, and they can not continue to serve that up to supporters and expect them to keep coming back watching and paying their hard earned money. They've got a massive job this week to show they can come back from this.

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Malthouse gets to work at Blues

Mick Malthouse ... targets big things for young midfielder Bryce Gibbs. Source: Chris Scott / News Limited

New Carlton coach Mick Malthouse has already enjoyed an up-close glimpse of what Bryce Gibbs could deliver in the AFL.

Malthouse has great expectations for the 2006 No.1 draft pick, who was a big disappointment for the Blues as they dropped out of the top eight to 10th this season.

There is a sense that Gibbs' career has stalled, with the highly-rated player having minimal impact across half-back.

Two years ago, Malthouse coached Gibbs during Australia's International Rules tour of Ireland and came away a big fan of the utility.

"He was simply outstanding over there," Malthouse said.

"Let me say, there wasn't any `good' - he was outstanding.

"So I know his capabilities.

"He has to be thrown the ball and (we) say `right, now you have to run with it'."

Malthouse also made it clear that he sees Gibbs as a midfielder, first and foremost.

"I'd like to think he's going to be playing in the middle, but it's coupled with half-back and half-forward," Malthouse said.

"He certainly has to come up that next level.

"There's 20 minutes there (each quarter) - he has to be able to do eight to 10 minutes and that's quite significant.

"That takes half a quarter away from others, to give them a little bit of relief and also be able to play in other positions, which I'm pretty keen to do."

Malthouse took charge of Carlton training for the first time on Monday, a month after the tumultuous end to this season.

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The Blues sacked Brett Ratten before their last match and soon after appointed Malthouse, the three-time AFL premiership coach.

Carlton were keen to recruit Collingwood key forward Travis Cloke, but once he re-signed with Malthouse's old club they had a minimal role in the trade period.

That reflects Malthouse's confidence that this group has plenty to offer.

"Any club who finishes outside the eight have a fair bit of work to make up,'' he said.

"But you know what's on our side? History.

"No eight has ever stayed the same and I'm a great believer in history.

"That gives any side outside the eight great buoyancy to go forward.''

"The side has the mechanics to be a good football side.

The first impressions have been encouraging for Malthouse in his fourth AFL senior coaching assignment.

"I've been very, very happy with what I've seen," he said.

The Blues will soon have a pre-season training camp in Arizona, where Malthouse and his players will start learning more about each other.

The players also have to elect their leadership group, with Malthouse saying current captain Chris Judd had to decide whether he wants to retain the role.

Meanwhile, Carlton announced on Monday that former Melbourne captain Brad Green had joined them as a midfield development coach.

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Clarke's keys to succes this summer

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Big challenge ... the summer has got tougher for Clarke due to Watson's injury. Source: Andres Leighton / News Limited

Michael Clarke is in his second year as Australia's Test captain and after an excellent last Australian summer against India, his biggest challenge as a leader looms.

The World No.1 South Africa Test side looks to be at the peak of their powers and it will take a monumental effort for the Aussies to stop them, even on home soil.

So what does Clarke see as the keys to success against the Proteas.

In an exclusive one-on-one with Fox Sports cricket expert Mark Waugh for Inside Cricket, Clarke revealed what he sees as the keys to success.

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Click on the video at the top of the page for all Clarke's insights on his biggest challenge as Australia's Test skipper yet.

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On the challenges of South Africa ...

"There's no coincidence they're the number one side in the world. We had a really good summer last summer but I think the most important thing for us is to maintain that consistency. We speak a lot about that. Playing in your own backyard certainly helps ... but as we know, last time South Africa came to Australia they beat us, so we need to keep that consistency we took out of last summer against India and hopefully perform well."

How to become the benchmark? ...

"If we beat South Africa, we're the number one Test team in the world. The hardest thing about beating South Africa in these conditions is that they know them so well, because it's similar to back home. I think it's going to be a real battle in each Test match. The batters will need to play really well because I think the team that bats the best against two very good fast bowling oppositions, I think will have the most success in this series."

What can the Proteas hurt Australia with? ...

"South Africa have got a really good attack. They've got Philander, who with the new ball can swing the ball away, but generally brings the ball back in to the right-hander off the wicket. Dale Steyn has obviously been very successful over a long period of time. He bowls good pace, fast outswing. And then Morne Morkel who's a lot taller, I think he's about 6'7'', and he hits the deck hard and brings it back in to the right hander as well. It's a very good attack, they complement each other because they're all different."

Can success happen with a rotation policy? ...

"It's about each individual. Our goals don't change. We're trying to win every game we play for Australia, whether it's a Test match, T20 or a one-dayer. We're very lucky that we've got good stock so that if one bowler or one batter misses out, we're confident we can fill that role and have success. So I think when we talk about rotation policy, it's about each individual and assessing the right workloads and management for that player, so the team can have the most success. Pat Howard, John Inverarity and Mickey Arthur have got one eye on the future. There's always a lot of talk about the Ashes. But as a playing group we just focus on what's ahead of us."

Have we made our task more difficult without Haddin? ...

"It's going to be tough because he's such a good player but unfortunately we can only have one wicketkeeper. As captain, no decision I make as a selector will ever be personal. It's always about what's in the best interests of the team. I've spoken to Hadds and he understands that and respects that." 

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