The final derby with John Aloisi in charge of the Heart took place with both teams desperate for a win. Heart had not won a match since a 3–1 win over Sydney in February 2013, and Victory to try to stay in the top 5. Again Finkler named on the bench. Troisi scored a goal and was subbed for Finkler after just under an hour, and Finkler laid up Mitch Nichols with a sublime pass to put Victory 3–0 up against the 10-man Heart, and gift Nichols his first, and last brace at Melbourne Victory – days later J-League club Cerezo Osaka managed by Australian Ranko Popovic increased its offer for Nichols to $325k from $200k. Victory eventually sold him at the 3rd bid, on 6/1/2014, for AUD$400k – double the initial offer, and with a clause that would benefit Victory financially if Cerezo re-sold him. This and Finkler's improvement after returning from injury led to more time on the pitch and a regular starting XI place.