As if either club needed any extra motivation for this weekend’s Melbourne Derby double-header; now presents the opportunity for one side of the divide to prevent the other from creating a dynasty.
Since the establishment of the A-Leagues Club Championship in 2021-22, Melbourne City have been the standard-setter – but as two derby battles present against Melbourne Victory in the Isuzu UTE A-League Men and Liberty A-League Women this weekend, City’s bitter rivals have the chance to extend their lead at the summit of the Club Championship table, asserting themselves as the A-Leagues’ best-performing club in 2023-24 to date.
Buy tickets to the Melbourne Derby in the Isuzu UTE A-League Men HERE
Buy tickets to the Melbourne Derby in the Liberty A-League HERE
What is the Club Championship?
If you’re in need of a refresher, the Club Championship was launched in 2021; it’s a ladder combining the results from clubs who are in both the Isuzu UTE A-League and the Liberty A-League.
Melbourne City were crowned inaugural champions and defended their crown in 2022-23, but the lay of the land is rapidly changing in the new campaign, thanks in large part to Victory’s resurgence in the A-League Men.
After eight rounds in both leagues, here’s how the Club Championship table is shaping up:
Victory lead the way this season, bolstered by the return to form of the club’s men’s outfit. Victory’s Liberty A-League side finished fourth last season, but the club’s Isuzu UTE A-League side finished 11th, one off the bottom of the table.
Together they accumulated just 57 points – a total the two sides are currently more than halfway toward reaching after just eight rounds this season.
City, meanwhile, finished top of the A-League Men table for a third season running in 2022-23, and their women’s side finished third. As a result, the club scooped up it’s second-consecutive Club Championship trophy.
The establishment of the Club Championship means there’s greater emphasis on double-headers such as the one taking place at AAMI Park on Saturday night.
