Heart would probably also benefit from a decent crowd of fans anxious to get to a game following the long layoff if it was them who was first up at home.

Victory would pull a huge crowd to Etihad for their first game almost regardless of who they were playing.

The stakes are so high, the tension palpabable, that in many ways it is more important for both clubs not to actually lose the match than win it, given that the result will inevitably be interpreted with more significance than it should.

Perhaps the time has come to rethink playing the Melbourne derby as the first match of the season?

If the first derby was in round four or five both teams would have had a chance to play several matches, gel as a collective and perhaps provide better entertainment value. If one club was struggling a victory in the derby in round five could kick start a recovery, while for one doing well at the top of the table it would be validation of their good form. The stakes would still be high, as they always are, but perhaps the tension less so.

Aloisi would have been pleased with the defensive solidity his team showed in the 0-0 draw with a new look centre back pairing of the vastly experienced Paddy Kisnorbo and Robbie Wielaert, with a new right back in Jason Hoffman learning the position.

For its part Victory would have been happy to see how assured Pablo Contreras, the former Chilean international, was at the back while new signings Mitch Nichols and James Troisi will get better and cause plenty of problems for other teams as the season progresses.

Postecoglou was not so happy about the fact that Mark Milligan, his captain, was forced to fly to France to join up with the Socceroos before being sent home injured without a ball being kicked in anger because of a knee injury he had been carrying.

"He might have to have an arthroscopy just to clean it up if he doesn't look like managing it which we have been doing quite well," Postecoglou said.