Brisbane up-and-comer, 18-year-old Zach Duncan scored his debut A-League goal, but there was very little to smile about as Brisbane slump to a dismal end to an exceedingly negative season.

For Roar legend Matt McKay, it's seeming like an end of the era. He was there for the glory days in Brisbane - a series of feats that may never be repeated - but those days seem long gone.

Newcastle, however, can send themselves into the offseason on a high according to Nigel Boogard.

"It was very important, I feel like today we gave some young boys a chance and they took it and I'm very proud of them," Boogard said.

"Joey Champness is excellent, a livewire, I run along with him. He's quick, he's got good skill. 

"We don't play to lose, we can't make the finals but we want to go home in front of our fans and finish on a high note. Consistency, we've had the players to do it but we haven't put runs together - we'll build on that and look forward to next season.

"Matt McKay's been a stalwart of the A-League and Socceroos - he's made Australian football history."

Joe Caletti also praised his team's retiring leader.

"Of course we all owe so much to Matt, being a leader at our club," he said. "When people think of Brisbane Roar they think of Matt McKay. It's disappointing we couldn't do it for him.

"We can look and learn from that. We had a lot of young guys on the pitch tonight."