A Joey Katebian hat-trick, a George Howard brace, and a goal from winger John MacLean allowed Melbourne Victory to see off Goulburn Valley Suns on Saturday afternoon at McEwan Reserve.

Katebian struck after 30 minutes to give the top of the table Victory the lead, his effort too much for Philip Petrovski to handle in the Suns’ goal before GVS capitulated in the second period with Nikoloas Kalafatis being sent off for two bookable offences.

The home side had the better of the chances throughout the first period, with Sean Ellis almost breaking the deadlock early with his left footed set of free kicks both narrowly missing the goal.

Kieran Dover was looking lively for Victory, and was unlucky not to give his side the lead when his strike sailed just over the bar.

But Katebian would give the visitors the lead, his strike from outside the area beating Petrovski to give his side the lead heading into the break.

That lead was extended soon after the teams entered the field for the second period, when Katebian turned provider, teeing up George Howard who clamly slotted home.

The Suns refused to give up, Englishman Craig Carley neatly sending his left footed drive into the top corner to give the home side a glimmer of hope.

But that hope was dashed soon after when John MacLean broke away down the right hand side before whipping the ball to the advancing Katebian who made no mistake.

Suns’ centre back Kalafatis was booked for his furious protest at the linesman, with many from the home side believing MacLean was offside in the lead up to the goal.

Maclean was becoming influential on the right hand side, his next cross found Howard at the back post who sent his looping header over Petrovski to give the visitors a 4-1 advantage.

The home side's task was made even harder when Kalafatis was shown his marching orders for a second yellow card of the afternoon.

Maclean would round out his man of the match performance late on, as he found Katebian again who scored his third of the match, before MacLean himself got on the score sheet with a fantastic drive from outside the area.

Carley found the net again late on after some neat work by Abel Fesseha but it was too little too late for the hosts.

Match Details:

Goulburn Valley Suns 2 (Carley x2), lost to Melbourne Victory 6 (Katebian x3, Howard x 2, Maclean) at McEwan Reserve, Shepparton

Goulburn Valley Suns: 1. Philip Petrovski, 6. Nikolaos Kalafatis, 4. Naum Sekulovski, 16. Matthew Lelliot, 3. Greg Nash, 8. Jamie England, 11. Shaun Kane, 19. Sean Ellis, 10. Fahed Alghazaly, 7. Abel Fesseha, 9. Craig Carley

Subs: 12. Firaol Likassa, 17. Adrian Corbo, 18. Stuart Vance, 20. Vani Shamoon, 22. Jake Keating

Melbourne Victory: 1. Stephen Hatzikourtis, 18. Christian Cavallo, 3. Milos Ridesic, 5. Damien Miskulin, 19. Nick Glavan, 8. Anthony Duzel, 6. Stefan Nigro, 10 Kieran Dover, 17. George Howard, 9. Joey Katebian, 11. John MacLean

Subs: 20. Wyatt Chant, 2. Reece Caldecourt, 16. Patrick Avice, 16. Jesse Daley, 4. James Xydias