There will be some added spice in next season’s Melbourne Derby following Patrick Kisnorbo’s big move.
An Isuzu UTE A-League Premiership and Championship winner with Melbourne City, Kisnorbo will be in the Melbourne Victory dug out in 2024-25 after replacing Tony Popovic as head coach.
The former Socceroo, who became the first Australian to coach in one of Europe’s top five men’s leagues when he joined Troyes in 2022 before leaving the French club in December last year, is the first coach to cross the Melbourne divide in the Isuzu UTE A-League.
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While he is the first to coach both City and Victory, there have been almost two dozen players to have donned both Citizen Blue and Navy Blue. Here’s a look at those players.
Aziz Behich
Now an established Socceroo, Behich made his A-Leagues debut with Melbourne Victory in 2009-10 before making the move to City – then known as Melbourne Heart, the following season.
The 33-year-old is currently in his second stint with City, who allowed him to join Cristiano Ronaldo at Saudi Pro League giants Al Nassr on loan last season.
Oli Bozanic
After two years in Switzerland, former Central Coast Mariners midfielder Bozanic was lured back to Australia by Victory in 2015.
A marquee signing, he won the 2015 Australia Cup with Victory during his two years in Navy Blue before a short spell with City in 2018.
Josh Brillante
Before wearing the captain’s armband at Victory in 2022-23, Brillante represented City for a single season back in 2019-20.
The ex-Fiorentina midfielder’s time at Victory was much more memorable however, having won the 2021 Australia Cup.
Mate Dugandzic
Dugandzic starred for boyhood club Melbourne Knights before being snapped up by Victory in 2009 and he made over 30 appearances in the Big V.
After two years, he moved across town where he spent four years with City.
Fred
The Brazilian playmaker was a fan favourite at Victory after a breathtaking 2006-07 season which yielded a Premiership and Championship double, capped by the iconic 6-0 rout of Adelaide United.
However, he went from hero to villain after returning to Australia four years later and joining rivals City.
Scott Galloway
Galloway’s first taste of A-Leagues football came via Victory. The full-back amassed more than 50 games and was part of the 2014-15 Premiership-winning side.
Following stints with the Mariners, Wellington Phoenix and Adelaide United, Galloway landed at City in 2019 and he still calls Casey home – three Premierships and a Championship later.
Daniel Georgievski
Victory pulled off a coup when they lured the North Macedonia international to Melbourne from Romanian giants Steaua Bucuresti, where he gained UEFA Champions League experience.
In his three seasons with Victory, he won a Championship, Premiership and Australia Cup. Before retiring, the full-back made three appearances for City in 2021.
Brendan Hamill
Hamill is winning titles in India but before that, the defender made a name for himself at City between 2010-12.
An AFC Champions League winner with Western Sydney Wanderers, Hamill reunited with Tony Popovic at Victory in 2021-22 and got his hands on the Australia Cup.
Harry Kewell
A glamour signing for Victory, the former Leeds United, Liverpool and Galatasaray star called Melbourne home in 2011-12.
After a spell in the Middle East, the Socceroos legend returned to Melbourne in 2013-14 albeit via City.
Anthony Lesiotis
A City youth product, Lesiotis debuted for his boyhood club in 2018-19 but crossed the divide after two appearances.
The defensive midfielder played 31 games for Victory before returning to City for a brief spell in 2020-21.
Andrew Nabbout
Nabbout is well regarded by those at City and he is still part of the club after signing a new contract in the off-season.
The 10-time Australia international has won three Premierships and a Championship since joining from Victory in 2020. He played for Victory over two separate spells.
Kristian Sarkies
Sarkies was part of Victory’s foundation season and the talented midfielder won the 2006-07 double during his time in Melbourne.
After two seasons with Victory and a three years in Adelaide, he joined City in 2010 and was on the books over two campaigns.
Tando Velaphi
Velaphi is the only goalkeeper to play for both Victory and City.
The former Australia youth international played a handful of games for Victory between 2011-13, while he spent three years with City.
Bruno Fornaroli
The evergreen 36-year-old Socceroo is still going strong with Victory since moving to AAMI Park in 2022, leading the club to the 2023-24 Grand Final.
Before joining Victory, Fornaroli first graced Australian shores with City, where he scored goals and won the 2016 Australia Cup.
Bruce Kamau
Kamau recently played for Victory on loan during the second half of the 2022-23 campaign but it is at City where he enjoyed some of his best moments between 2016-18, including an Australia Cup.
Connor Chapman
Chapman was part of the Victory side that reached last season’s Grand Final and he impressed over his two seasons with the club.
He previously spent almost three campaigns as a City player between 2014-17.
Daniel Arzani
Arzani has rediscovered his best form since joining Victory at the start of 2023-24, having burst onto the scene with City in 2016.
His form between 2016-18 earned a move to Manchester City and a spot at the 2018 FIFA Men’s World Cup.
