Two goals in three minutes guided Melbourne City to victory in the opening game of the new A-League Men season.

The defending champions defeated Brisbane Roar 2-1 in Melbourne, with goals to Curtis Good and Connor Metcalfe.

City were on top for most of the match, with more possession, more shots on target and better passing accuracy.

The home side's efforts were rewarded just before half-time when Curtis Good scored the first goal of the season in the 40th minute.

The goal came from one of City's 10 corners for the match when Jamie Mclaren fired a volley from inside the box at Roar keeper Macklin Freke, who was able to parry away the shot.

But the ball landed at the feet of Good, who had an easy strike into the net to open the scoring.

City doubled its lead just three minutes later when Connor Metcalfe sent the champions into the break with a 2-0 lead.  

Scott Jamieson fired a ball into the box just inside the Roar half which landed with Metcalfe, who took a few touches before firing at goal.

The ball took a fortunate deflection off Roar centre back Anton Mlinaric and into the net.

Brisbane had their own chance in the first half when a good shot from Nikola Mileusnic forced a save from City keeper Tom Glover, before Melbourne's defenders were able to clear the loose ball from the box.

Brisbane were better in the second half and look more threatening when Luke Ivanovic came on.

After missing one shot wide, he scored his side's opening goal in the 71st minute when he put his head on the end of a cross from Jay O'Shea.

Brisbane thought they had levelled when Kai Trewin headed home O'Shea's free kick in the 80th minute.

But the goal was disallowed as Trewin was offside from the free kick.

Brisbane again narrowly missed the opportunity for their second when Jesse Daley put his shot wide of the mark.