Friday night was a different story as Roar clinched their first win of the season, with a 3-1 victory at Sucorp Stadium.

Injuries have hit Brisbane Roar since that game six weeks ago and there were five differences to their starting line-up as a result.

For City it was the first time Ross McCormack was absent and the first start for Marquee man Marcin Budzinski. Amid claims of a growing rift with City boss Warren Joyce, Socceroo Tim Cahill was also absent after picking up a knock in Wednesday night’s World Cup play-off success.

Roar were back in front of their home fans and now desperate to drag themselves off the bottom of the table, and hopefully attract some fans back to the cavernous Suncorp Stadium. So how did it all play out?

BRISBANE ROAR

Jamie Young – 7.5

Was given no protection from his defence for City’s first goal and pulled off a wonderful late save to his right from a Neil Kilkenny thunderbolt. Another good parry late in the game to deny Budzinski.

Connor O’Toole – 7.5

The boy can cross! Second start in a row for the youngster and again he showed he belongs at this level. Seems to take the right option and will be interesting to see what Aloisi does when Corey Brown is available again.

Avraam Papadopoulos – 9.5

What a start for the centre-half! Intercepted in his own half before laying the ball off for Eric Bautheac on the left. He continued his run well after the Frenchmen had advanced down the left. After a shocking attempted clearance from Iacopo La Rocca, he headed past the keeper for the opening goal. Almost doubled his tally off a variation to a corner before it was cleared off the line but never fear! Avraam got on the end of a wonderful delivery to score his second, and his team's third, to put the result beyond doubt. Outstanding performance from the Aussie-born Greek defender.

Jacob Pepper – 7

Anchored the defence as his partner ventured forward and contributed to attacks. Doing a very good job in an unfamiliar position.

Jack Hingert – 6.5

Certainly not back to the form that saw him talked about as a right back option for the National Team but overlapped when the space opened up. He was at the centre of the kafuffle with Marcin Budzinksi.

Fahid Ben Khalfallah – 7

Switched sides with Bautheac until the Frenchmen left the pitch, allowing him to stay on his preferred left. Delivered a lovely set-piece that led to the third Roar goal. Gave City a chance to get back in the game with a tired back-pass heading into injury time.

Matt McKay – 7

Had a job to do in the centre and put in a typical workman like shift from the former Soccerroo. His ball movement and movement off the ball to shut down City forays into the attacking half was quality.

Joe Caletti – 6.5

Doing his apprenticeship alongside Matt McKay and not a bad player to learn from. When Roar held possession he needed to get involved more but, the wide-men were doing most of the damage.

Eric Bautheac – 8.5

Put the ball in the danger zone that led to the first goal of the match for Papadopoulos. Later was given a wonderful chance to open his A-League goal scoring account which he gladly took with a well-placed drive past defenders and goalkeeper. Keeping this man fit will be key to Brisbane if they are to have any continued success this season. Sent a scare to John Aloisi and was subbed in the 65th minute for Peter Skapetis.

Brett Holman – 7

Harassed the Melbourne City defence all night as a second striker alongside Massimo Maccarone and he tired towards the end but did a good job for Aloisi’s side.

Massimo Maccarone – 7.5

Played a decent target man role and laid the ball off for the Roar’s second goal. Tired as the game went on and used his experience to slow the game down and keep Brisbane possession.

SUBS

Peter Skapetis – 6.5

A 65th minute sub replacing Eric Bautheac and added some life to the tiring Roar attack which is exactly what his coach would have wanted.

Mitchell Oxborrow – N/A 

The 82nd minute sub replacing Joe Caletti. Not enough involvement to rate fairly.

Nick D’Agostino – N/A

Came on in the 90th minute for Brett Holman. Not enough involvement to rate fairly.

MELBOURNE CITY

Eugene Galekovic – 4

Misjudged the situation for the first goal when he came out sluggishly, and made it easy for Papadopoulos. Whilst he couldn’t do much for the second, he fumbled Khalfallah’s set-piece delivery and allowed Papadopoulos to get the better of him for the second time. Defence didn’t do him many favors but was off his game himself.

Scott Jamieson – 5.5

Combined with Nick Fitzgerald but not enough. Either ran into trouble or passed to the opposition too many times.

Iacopo La Rocca – 1

Like his compatriots, the error prone Italian did not have a good week. Horrible error leading to Roar’s first goal before almost allowing Brett Holman through shortly after when he completely misjudged a challenge. An errant pass then allowed Massimo Maccarone to set up Eric Bautheac for the Roar’s second. Was going to score a ‘2’, but was dragged at half-time by Warren Joyce who didn’t feel he deserved two halves, let alone points.  One would imagine Tim Cahill isn’t the only inclusion the coach will be considering over the coming week.

Bart Schenkeveld – 7

Reads the game so well and had to mop up for some of his defensive partners at times. (I’m looking at you, Iacopo) Did lose out to Avraam Papadopoulos in a six yard box scramble, allowing the Roar defender to swivel and finish for their third. One thing is certain though and that is without him, Melbourne City would have conceded many more tonight and this season as a whole.

Manny Muscat – 6

Kept busy trying to keep tabs on Eric Bautheac, and Connor O’Toole to a lesser degree. Stayed rather central most of the night considering he was playing right back.

 

Nick Fitzgerald – 6.5

Continued his good form. Great strike early in the second half forcing a parried save from Jamie Young. Full of confidence at the moment and playing with a spring in his step. Went missing for periods of the game though.

Michael Jakobsen – 6.5

Had to drop back into defence when La Rocca was sacrificed at half-time. Gave away a lot of fouls even though he was probably forced into making a few due to City’s turnovers.

Osama Malik – 6

His distribution was quite good all night both short and long. Had a couple of opportunities to get on the scoresheet but just isn’t in his game.

Marcin Budzinksi – 5.5

Floated around up front and interchanged positions with Mauk. Instigated an all-in after a poor tackle on Jack Hingert and was shown a yellow card. Had a good chance late but couldn’t curl it around the outstretched hand of Jamie Young. Melbourne City need more from their Marquee man.

Stefan Mauk – 6.5

Was given a good chance by Nick Fitzgerald from a squared ball but blasted the chance into row Z. Guilty of another wasted opportunity before he saved a certain goal by clearing off the line, making up for one of his previous misses. Finally took advantage of the space he was getting into and finished well for City’s 54th minute goal.

Bruce Kamau – 4

Was largely anonymous in the first half and the Coach agreed, replacing him at half-time to try something different.

SUBS

Luke Brattan – 7 

Came on at half-time and City instantly looked a better side. Chipped through for the assist of Mauk’s goal and put in a few beautiful looking crosses when City were pressing for a second.

Neil Kilkenny – 6.5

One of City’s two half-time substitutions. Another bit part role but Kilkenny did the best with his time, got involved a bit further up the field in a good period of play for the Visitors.

Braedyn Crowley – 6 

Came on in the 76th minute after City went down 3-1 to try and help salvage a result. Not much involvement but the most minutes he has been given all year.