This Friday night, Melbourne Victory kick off their pre-season in style with a clash against global sensation Wrexham AFC at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne. Here’s everything you need to know.
41 days after a heartbreaking loss in the Isuzu UTE A-League Grand Final, Melbourne Victory are back in action against a blockbuster opponent from abroad.
The world has watched on as Wrexham AFC, owned by Hollywood duo Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, have achieved back-to-back-to-back promotions to rise all the way to the second tier of English football – with documentary cameras following them all the way.
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Arriving in Australia this week, they’ve brought a squad featuring a few big names as they get to work preparing to take on the Championship, widely considered one of the toughest leagues on the planet.
First up, they face Victory, before clashes against Sydney FC and Wellington Phoenix to round out their tour down under.
When and where is the game?
Melbourne Victory take on Wrexham this Friday night, July 11 at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, with kick-off listed at 7:30pm AEST.
How can I watch Melbourne Victory v Wrexham?
Fans in Australia can watch the match live on Paramount+. Sign up now.
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Team News
Wrexham have brought a 30-player squad on this tour, headlined by some high-profile former Premier League stars and some prominent faces in their documentary series.
44-time Wales international and former Liverpool and Leicester City goalkeeper Danny Ward is the club’s most recent big name signing – and he could debut for his hometown club in this fixture.
Captain James McClean will likely be leading Wrexham out; the winger boasts 103 caps for the Republic of Ireland and played 158 times in the Premier League across stints with Sunderland and West Brom.
Aussie and Kiwi football fans will also likely remember striker Jay Rodriguez from his exploits in England’s top-flight with Southampton, West Brom and Burnley, amassing 258 matches and scoring 46 goals.
One of the stars of Wrexham’s world famous documentary Ollie Palmer is also on the tour, with the 33-year-old striker being given a chance to impress manager Phil Parkinson ahead of the Championship season.
Another player to watch will be new £700,000 (A$1.5m) signing Ryan Hardie, who has joined from Plymouth Argyle, where he reached double figures for goals in each of his last four seasons. Hardie played 16 matches alongside Wellington Phoenix product Ben Waine!
Wrexham’s full 30-man squad:
- Arthur Okonkwo
- Callum Burton
- Danny Ward
- Max Cleworth
- Aaron James
- Dan Scarr
- Eoghan O’Connell
- Max Purvis
- Lewis Brunt
- Tom O’Connor
- Ryan Longman
- Ryan Barnett
- Matty James
- George Evans
- George Dobson
- Andy Cannon
- Alex Moore
- Ollie Rathbone
- Elliot Lee
- Harry Ashfield
- James McClean (C)
- Jacob Mendy
- Seb Revan
- Ryan Hardie
- Sam Smith
- Callum Edwards
- Mo Faal
- Ollie Palmer
- Jack Marriott
- Jay Rodriguez
Melbourne Victory have named their squad, which resembles the side who took to the park in last season’s Isuzu UTE A-League Grand Final minus Daniel Arzani (Ferencvaros), Kasey Bos (Mainz) and Ryan Teague (KV Mechelen) who have all left the club for moves to Europe.
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New signings Louis D’Arrigo and Keegan Jelacic could feature as head coach Arthur Diles gets his first look at the squad in competitive action ahead of the 2025-26 campaign.
The Victory boss confirmed that Reno Piscopo, new loanee Franco Lino, Lachlan Jackson and Socceroo Nishan Velupillay are all unavailable to take on the Championship side.
Melbourne Victory’s squad to take on Wrexham
- #3 Adama Traore
- #8 Zinedine Machach
- #9 Nikolaos Vergos
- #11 Clerismario Santos Rodrigues
- #14 Jordi Valadon
- #16 Joshua Inserra
- #19 Jing Reec
- #21 Roderick Miranda
- #22 Joshua Rawlins
- #23 Keegan Jelacic
- #25 Jack Duncan
- #27 Louis D’Arrigo
- #30 Daniel Graskoski
- #31 Daniel Lazarevski
- #33 Jack Mihailidis
- #34 John Radimisis
- #35 Damien Bozinovski
- #36 Parker Williams
- #37 Toby Obani
- #38 Patrick Wall
- #39 Charlie Gorevski
- #40 Oskar Von Schrenk
- #42 Tomasso Minutoli
- #43 Evan Souris
- #44 George Mihailidis
What they said
Arthur Diles, Melbourne Victory head coach: “It’ gives us an opportunity to grow our brand and the football market of Australia internationally
“Wrexham’s a hot ticket at the moment in world football. What they’ve achieved in the last three years with three consecutive promotions … they’re a club doing great things on and off the pitch.
“There are definitely things we can learn from them, and there are also definitely things they can learn from us.
“It’s a great night for us.”
James McClean, Wrexham captain: “When you’re riding the crest of a wave like you are, you just go along with it.
“Where the club has gone in the last few years, it’s been unimaginable. I’m guessing even for the owners and everyone involved, it’s probably exceeded their wildest expectations.
“I’m loving every second of it, and I’m sure the rest of the lads are as well. Long may the success continue.”
Wrexham’s other A-Leagues stops
Sydney FC v Wrexham AFC
Date: Tuesday, 15 July
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Kick-Off: 7:30pm AEST
Broadcast: Paramount+
Wellington Phoenix v Wrexham AFC
Date: Saturday, 19 July
Venue: Sky Stadium, Wellington
Kick-Off: 5pm local, 3pm AEST
Broadcast: Paramount+
