The Vikings scored the only goal of the second-half to etch out a 3-3 draw at St Georges Reserve on Saturday.

A blockbuster first half gave way to five goals as both sides started their campaigns with guns blazing.

Melbourne scored an early opener after passing Sebastopol keeper Nick Henry one-on-one, only for the Vikings to reply through two stellar strikes from outside the box from Kyran Taylor and Will Georgiou – both of whom beat two opponents to find the back of the net.

The home side looked in control late in the opening stanza, before Melbourne scored twice in the final few minutes to enter the break with a 3-2 lead.

Vikings coach Michael Busija tinkered with his side during the break, changing the set-up to two strikers in an effort to cut City’s supply forward.

A lacklustre second half was brought to light when recruit Luke Swards scored a header off the bench from a long throw at the 83-minute mark.

Sebastopol had several chances in the final 10 minutes to score a winner, but could not break through Melbourne’s stringent defence.

Busija was pleased with the performance of his men, and said new recruits Nick Dean and Jai Sharp, alongside Swards, had all impressed since coming off the bench.

“We spoke (at half-time) about the importance to score, and not concede in the next period,” Busija said.

“We looked like the team most likely to score late.

“These were the kind of games we lost last year. 

The result was soured slightly by a potential injury to Alex Antonelli, who was subbed off as a precaution shortly before half-time because of hamstring tightness.