Up until that point it was a frustrating affair with a mis-firing Newcastle and a profligate Adelaide failing to seize the moment.

New Adelaide captain Paul Agostino was understandably disappointed with his side's inability to take advantage of numerous chances. "We were punished for not taking our chances," the striker told Fox Sports after the game.

Bridge's goal was beautifully taken after Wheelhouse played him through via a Joel Griffiths pass. The Olyroo striker then worked the ball onto his right foot past Richie Alagich and smashed the ball home.

The hero of the moment said after the game: "I've had a bit of a drought, but I scored for the Olyroos midweek and scored a goal here... couldn't ask for a better week.

"It wasn't the prettiest of the games. But credit to the boys and also our defence. It's a good win."

It took 80 minutes for the game to come to life, but once the goal went in, the crowd of 13,627 was treated to an exciting finale. And with Jardel on the park, the home side played fluidly and never looked like coughing up its lead.

And we even saw a glimpse of the Jardel magic when he controlled a ball on his chest then flicked the ball over the defender Ange Costanzo and tore clear before the Reds man brought him down.

Overall, the Reds' super-duo of Kristian Sarkies and Bruce Djite starred for the visitors with a display of industry and skill but they sorely missed the presence of Nathan Burns at the sharp end.

For the Jets, Adam Griffiths at the heart of the home side's defence was a rock in repelling a seemingly endless number of crosses from their right side, particularly in the first half when it seemed only a matter of time before the visitors would find a way through.

As well, Matt Thompson showed plenty of attacking quality while Joel Griffiths was his usual busy presence.

The game began with Mario Jardel on the Jets' bench. And in the opening 45 minutes, desperate defending from the Jets kept them in this contest with the right side of the Newcastle defence exposed by the Reds' attacking pace out wide.

Just before half time, excellent defending from Jade North did enough to put off Paul Agostino who looked to be in for a chance in the six yard box. It was emblematic of the half with chances coming thick and fast for the visitors, who played a four-four-two with Agostino and Djite up front.

Jets' right back Adam D'Apuzzo was under constant pressure. On five minutes Travis Dodd got down the Jets right but his cross was cleared with Djite looming. More chances arrived from a similar supply line with Djite and Agostino being denied by Adam Griffiths and Jade North.

In response to the poor start, Brazilian Denni was subbed after just 35 minutes, with Van Egmond saying at halftime the Brazilian had turned possession over too often.

Tarek Elrich came on in his place and immediately started to work the right side of the midfield, in particular trying to block the forward runs of Cassio and give the overrun D'Appuzo some relief. It worked.

The best chance of the half fell to Kristian Sarkies, whose free kick from just outside the box was easily taken by Ante Covic in the Jets' goal. Shots on goal were 9-1 in favour of the Reds at the break, a stat that told the half's story.

Just after the restart, Djite had a golden opportunity within a minute with Travis Dodd again mining the right side of the Jets' defence. His cross found the big Olyroo but his tame header squirted wide.

And Ange Costanzo should've scored on 50 minutes with a perfect opportunity from right in front of goal. Sarkies' pinpoint cross found the pony-tailed defender who could only scuff his header wide.

Shortly after, Matt Thompson burst down the Reds left and powered inside with a one-two, but his finish wasn't good enough to get past Robbie Bajic. And within 60 seconds, Mark Bridge picked up Thompson's raking long ball and got a 30m shot on target but Bajic held onto the ball.

The Jets had come to life it seemed. The enterprising Joel Griffiths ran at the Reds defence but his raking shot went across the bar on 70 minutes. The Reds hit back when Dodd won a free kick wide a minute later - the same player played it short to Cassio but his shot went over after hitting Thompson's back. From the resulting corner, Agostino's header went wide with the goal in sight. They were to rue these missed opportunities.

Griffiths was starting to impose himself on the game in the final 20 minutes and it was his touch on after good work from Jobe Wheelhouse that presented Bridge with his opportunity to nick the headlines from their Brazilian superstar, whose mere presence seemed to lift the home side.

FourFourTwo Says:
Forget the Brazilian superstars, the younger Aussies stole the show. Mark Bridge saved this frustrating game with a piece of magic on 80 minutes, Adam Griffiths was dominant at the back and Tarek Elrich was effective after coming on for Brazilian Denni.

For the Reds, Djite and Sarkies looked a threat for Adelaide as did Travis Dodd down their left. And if Nathan Burns had been in the visitor's side, it may've been a different result.

But in the end, Super Mario's debut was overshadowed by the highly promising Mark Bridge.