Healthy Heart crowd gets Tick

A good crowd of 19,621 showed up at Etihad stadium on Wednesday night to see Everton down a competitive Melbourne Heart side 2-0. Goals to Jack Rodwell and Louis Saha denied the Heart an upset victory.

While the big names from both sides were given a run, the clubs also gave opportunities to younger players, with the Heart fielding six teenagers throughout the contest.

“These kind of games are important as it allows us to integrate and introduce young players to the starting side" Heart coach John van't Schip said.

“When you put in a young player, it is important to line them up alongside more experienced players as it allows them to learn, develop and grow.”

Tim Cahill was introduced after half time, challenging the central pairing of Michael Beauchamp and Simon Colosimo.

“The boys are understanding the system, the philosophy, every time more and more, which was evident today. But we still have three weeks to go and the learning process will continue,” said van't Schip.

Whilst some think the tour promoters might have been better holding the game at new stadium AAMI Park, the crowd of over nineteen thousand gives some indication of the enthusiasm for new team Melbourne Heart. A good proportion of these fans however, were likely only there to see the Toffees play, and are in all probability already Victory fans anyway.