Rojas bears no grudge at Muscat

Smashed by Phoenix enforcer Manny Muscat in a heavy challenge, Melbourne Victory winger Rojas knew little about a hit he admits didn't look great.

Going into a rematch on Monday night at Etihad Stadium on his 21st birthday, Rojas bears no malice.

"I didn't even know where I was - I couldn't be angry," Rojas said of the tackle.

"It didn't look the best, but that's football. It happens sometimes.

"I know he didn't do it on purpose. There's no hard feelings."

It capped off a forgettable debut season at Victory for Rojas, one of New Zealand football's brightest prospects, who struggled to get going as his new club careered from one disaster to another.

Like Victory, the signs are much better for Rojas this year.

Few will benefit more from the Ange Postecoglou style than Rojas, best suited out wide and most dangerous when running at players.

A confidence player, Rojas appears to have regained the swagger he displayed two seasons ago when starring in a late-season run for Phoenix.

He has scored twice in four games for Victory this season.

"We play a good brand of football so everyone's enjoying it - it's a lot better than last year," Rojas said. "For me, it's perfect - all along the ground football. I'm really happy playing under Ange.

"I'm going to keep trying to get better, and our football's getting better as well."

Victory sits bottom of the table in a congested league, in which just six points separate first and last.

Phoenix has started the season well and sits inside the top six.

But it will be without defender Ben Sigmund after his send-off against Adelaide United for a foul that led to the infamous Jeronimo Neumann "dive" incident.