In South Australia we're used to living in hope.

The  mighty Murray creeps into the sea at Goolwa after Victoria and NSW have sucked the best out of it, leaving a dirty trickle to fight its way through the sand hills and into the Coorong and the southern oceans.

Along the riverbank, great river redgums have sunk their roots deep into the soil and clung on for decades, even centuries. Mighty trees that stand as witness to the resilience of life even in the face of deprivation and despair. They create homes for myriad native animals and give shade to the families and fishermen who picnic by the sickened river.

They're deceptive things. You can look up one year and swear they're dead then come back the next season and - while some branches might fall and die - new growth will be shooting like a laugh into the hard, blue sky.

They defy drought, and when the drought breaks they blossom, scattering seeds of hope into the newly wet ground.

The drought has not broken, but the once mighty Reds are not dead. Saturday night saw shoots of hope, dead wood cut and 45 minutes of inspiration.

Viddie, who made the cuts, was man enough to admit it was Phil Stubbins who suggested going to a back three after half-time. It transformed the team. Together they managed a win that we might have hoped for but few expected.

It was a win crafted by a bunch of young guns with the backing of a couple of hardened old 'branches'.

Brisbane were wayward, wasteful and woeful. They had chances to kill us off but they couldn't take them. it was almost as if fortune had decided to favour the brave this week - and we've had precious little luck this season.

In the end, I don't care if it was luck, graft or brilliance. I know that when that final whistle blew I was filled with a sense of satisfaction and joy that I haven't felt for some time. The Reds had come out to play, they'd rolled the dice and they'd won.

The question that faces us now is whether we can back it up with the courage to honour the effort of those players who did the hard work. They've shown they care and - as a fan - I hope Viddie and Phil will roll on with the experiment.

We played attacking, open football designed to score. I want to see that again.

Roots and Shoots

Hugene - We have to be honest and admit that we would have been dead and buried without the big man showing, once again, why he's the best in the country. Cracking saves capped off by that last minute flyer to keep the three points. 10/10

Alemao - Showed in one sublime second-half run just why he's such an enigma. Maybe it's time to give him 90 minutes every week to see if he can deliver. Solid enough. 7/10

Fyfe - Showed why he was worth signing. He'll never be flash but he's not bad at being a stumbling block for opponents. When Henrique robbed Dodd then outstripped him, jinked past Jamo and was on his way to goal up stepped Fyfe. Solid tackle stopped him dead. The ball - and the threat - disappeared. Then, with seconds left he sat back with Hugene and refused to panic when a goal-bound shot headed his way. Calmly blocked it with his body and the points were ours. Cornthwaite and Rudan may have done the same but Fyfe did the job and deserves another game. 8/10

Mullen - Good enough but he'll get better. 6/10

Jamo - Working his way back into form. An essential part of the first XI. 6/10

Marrone - Within minutes he showed why we must do everything in our power to make him change his mind about leaving. An absolutely brilliant performance by a young man destined to go far (and I don't mean North Queensland). When I saw him in pre-season matches he stood out like a beacon. Play him every week while he's still a Red. 10/10

Reid - Not quite back to his best but we know he can be the real deal. Fantastic that Viddie had the guts to sub him off when it wasn't working. He'll be back. 5/10

Barbiero - I love watching this guy play. He's not the finished article but he's well on his way. Speed, skill, courage and creativity. What a run for the goal. What a combination with Leckie. 8/10

Cassio - His days as left-back may be over but Cassio always shows why he needs to be in the team. Passion and that rare ability to make things happen. What a volley from Dodd's cross. Equalled by a great save but fantastic football anyway. 7/10

Dodd - Sorry Travis, but it's time for a rest. The cross to Cassio was sublime but much of the rest was substandard. Take a break. Come back when your head is in the right place again. No-one doubts your skill or your love of the club but something isn't right. 4/10

Leckie - This man is injured!? Another amazing bit of attacking pace, vision and accuracy to provide Barbiero with the assist. The type of player who scares defenders. Will only get better. 8/10

Shin - Has been ripping it up in the Youth League but has yet to show that talent at the top end. Looked lost when he came on. Maybe one for next year. 5/10

Cristiano - This man is a good player proven at a decent level. I'm just not convinced his heart is in it anymore. I want to see Owusu given another chance. I hoped Monterosso would come on at 45 for him.

Monterosso - Not much time and didn't do much but five goals in five games in the youth league means he's in form and putting himself in the right place. Surely he's worth giving at least 45 minutes to in the coming matches. 5/10

New owners? Over to you, Brenton.