Roar momentarily jumped off the foot of the A-League ladder with a 3-1 victory over Melbourne City at Suncorp.

It was a result that fans had to wait seven rounds to witness.

"I'm just happy for the players because we've done it hard," Aloisi told Fox Sports post-match.

"Off-season hard, pre-season, we've got a lot of players out, players that are still getting to know each other.

"It's not easy when you have four new players up front to get to know each other, to gel."

A little argy bargy

A couple of defensive howlers by the City defence saw Brisbane take a two goal lead into the break courtesy of Avraam Papadopoulos (5') and Eric Bautheac (43').

But an onslaught by the visitors in the opening 20 minutes of the second half threatened to derail Roar's march to their first win of the campaign.

Stefan Mauk reduced the deficit (54') to one before Papadopoulos grabbed his second of the night (70'), against the run of play, to ease the pressure on Aloisi's men.

The coach added: "It was a diffcult  game tonight, by no means were we brilliant, but we deserved the three points and it was a game that we had to win - we knew that before the start of the game.The boys worked ever so hard to get the three points."

Aloisi said it was battle, particularly when so many players were underdone at the season kick-off. 

"I'll take the blame for the first few rounds, because I had to give minutes to players that didn't have minutes in pre-season," he said.

"Papadopoulos didn't even kick a ball in pre-season - and I played him from the start. (Fahid) Ben Khalfallah the same. Connor O'Toole was out in pre--season as well with a foot problem.

"So I'll take the blame for me giving players minutes during the season but I know what they can do once they do get fit and we're going to get stronger and stronger."