Fornaroli, 36, now has 11 goals in seven A-League Men games this season after the Victory brushed a largely underwhelming Wanderers outfit aside in front of 9755 fans at CommBank Stadium on Sunday.
The Uruguayan-born forward hasn't won an Australian cap in over 18 months but his finishing and hold-up play will leave Socceroos boss Graham Arnold with plenty to ponder ahead of selecting his squad for January's Asian Cup in Qatar.
Arnold is certain to be without Brandon Borrello and Fornaroli looks a ready-made replacement after his four-goal haul helped Victory leapfrog their hosts into fourth spot.
Victory striker Bruno Fornaroli is all smiles after one of his four goals against Western Sydney. (Bianca De Marchi/AAP PHOTOS)
Up until Sunday's game, Marko Rudan's side had yet to concede at home but Fornaroli wasted little time in putting paid to that record.
Rudan had warned his side about their sloppy first-half showings and they were way off the pace when Fornaroli rifled in his first goal after just eight minutes.
Goalkeeper Lawrence Thomas did well to deny Zinedine Machach but Fornaroli was able to volley in the rebound.
The Wanderers began to spring into action, but Marcus Antonsson, Lachlan Brook and captain Marcelo could only fire at Victory No.1 Paul Izzo or glance their efforts wide.
Then, just as they were turning up the heat in the hunt for an equaliser before halftime, Western Sydney were caught on the counter.
Machach and Fornaroli combined once more and it was the latter who surged forward with the ball, hoodwinking Wanderers defender Tate Russell and dispatching the ball past Thomas to give Victory a 2-0 lead at halftime.
BRUNO. FORNAROLI.— Melbourne Victory (@gomvfc) El Tuna is ����������� 😮�💨 #WSWvMVC pic.twitter.com/hkqVz70FZTDecember 10, 2023
Rudan hooked Russell and Brook at the break but Western Sydney's woes showed no sign of halting when Jack Clisby conceded a penalty for a handball.
Fornaroli stepped up confidently and had no problem putting it past Thomas to complete his treble in the 51st minute.Â
The Wanderers were given a lifeline soon after when Connor Chapman was penalised for a similar offence, with Antonsson pulling one back from the spot.
Fornaroli resestablished a three-goal buffer when he headed in his fourth goal from a Daniel Arzani free kick with a quarter of an hour to go.
Antonsson and new recruit Valentino Yuel grabbed two back late on but in truth their goals flattered the Wanderers.
The only concern for Tony Popovic's men, who face Sydney FC at home next week, will be the fitness of Jake Brimmer and Adama Traore with both coming from the field in the second half.
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