Brisbane’s Dylan Wenzel-Halls opened the scoring early on with a wonderful curled effort from outside the box after first getting past Wanderers’ out-of-position defender, Bruce Kamau. It didn’t take too long for Western Sydney to equalise as Brisbane goalkeeper Jamie Young couldn’t get a firm hand to stop a long-distance strike from Mitchell Duke.

The travelling side then took the lead after Oriol Riera scored his own stunner, as he took his chance with an excellent first-time volley and then extended the gap with another goal that was given by VAR after the Spaniard was initially deemed offside.

Roly Bonevacia continued his sparkling form as he capped off a strong Wanderers display with a goal to seal the three points.

If finals are perhaps a stretch too far for Western Sydney, the win actually provides some promise for next year. Brisbane, meanwhile, look like they will need a lot of work in pre-season to get back to the top six.

This was referee Jarred Gillett’s final match in the A-League as he now moves to England to continue developing his refereeing skills while also pursuing personal education. The Australian has been in charge for five Hyundai A-League Grand Finals as well as the referee of the year another five times.

Brisbane Roar

Jamie Young – 5.5

Young was tested regularly and initially seemed up for the challenge, but he conceded a regulation save for the first goal. The Brisbane goalkeeper has been known to make these sorts of mistakes and it might be time to consider dropping him for another keeper that might offer something different.

Izaack Powell – 6

Powell had a decent game in his first start for the team but was subbed off in the 66th minute due to an injury. A promising player, hopefully it is nothing too serious that will keep him out of the team for too long.

Jacob Pepper – 5

A poor defensive display over all from Brisbane. Pepper’s header was what played Riera onside for the third goal and he should’ve done a better job in clearing the danger.

Ruon Tongyik – 5.5

Perhaps the best from a poor defence as he did make a few stops from Wanderers attacks, but he could not handle the numerous threats that the opposition possessed.

Daniel Bowles – 5

Bowles was dominated on the right-hand side and could not handle the attacking threats that the Wanderers were testing him with.

Matt McKay – 5.5

McKay was caught napping for the first goal where he clearly didn’t have any idea where Duke was. His poor awareness led to Duke getting a shot on from range that fortunately found the back of the net.

Alex Lopez – 5

Lopez was unable to control the game from midfield and couldn’t win the midfield battle against his opposition.

Tobias Mikkelsen –5.5

Mikkelsen offered little in attacking threat and was understandably hauled off in the second half for someone that might provide a bit more danger going forward.

Henrique – 5.5

On a night when Brisbane needed Henrique to step up and take the game by the scruff of the neck, he did the exact opposite as he became an anonymous figure that contributed little overall to the match.

Eric Bautheac – 6.5

Bautheac was one of the few attacking outlets that looked to cause any threat to the Wanderers defence. He created some half-chances but couldn’t find the final ball to get his team back into the game.

Dylan Wenzel-Halls – 7

Wenzel-Halls continues his ascent in Australian football from the NPL ranks as he scored a brilliant goal from outside the box. He had a few other chances that he should have at least hit the target with, which might have changed the game.

SUBS

Daniel Leck – 5.5

Replaced Daniel Bowles at half-time but didn’t really offer anything different from the man he replaced on the right-hand side.

Charles Lokoli Ngoy – 6

Came off the bench for Mikkelsen. He found enough time to get a yellow card and is yet to score his first A-League goal as he scuffed a shot off-target.

Joe Caletti – 5.5

With rumours that Caletti might be Japan-bound, this wasn’t a performance that will be lining up his supposed Asian suitors.

Western Sydney Wanderers

Vedran Janjetovic – 6

There was nothing Janjetović could do for Wenzel-Halls’ goal, but he was still caught out from a cross in the second half and will be thankful his captain Hamill was there to stop a goal bound shot.

Bruce Kamau – 6.5

Understandably, it took some time for Kamau to get used to a more defensive position as he was easily dribbled past by Wenzel-Halls for the first goal. After that error though, he was a dangerous outlet in attack while tracking back well defensively.

Tass Mourdoukoutas – 6.5

Mourdoukoutas sacrificed himself and took a yellow card to stop a dangerous Brisbane attack and was solid to most of the attacks Brisbane put late in the game.

Brendan Hamill – 7

Hamill saved Janjetović some blushes with his last-ditch defending which is exactly what you want from the captain.

Rashid Mahazi – 6.5

In for the injured Jordan O’Doherty, who is out for the season, Mahazi was booked for taking down McKay in the second half. Generally playing as a defensive midfielder, he didn’t have much work to do with Brisbane having such a low amount of possession.

Keanu Baccus – 7

Baccus has a been a calm and steady presence for the Wanderers this season. Assured on the ball and you can count on him to just continue ticking play along with his confidence when passing.

Roly Bonevacia – 8.5

The Dutch midfielder has transformed from his poor form earlier on in the season and has now contributed to seven of the Wanderers’ last nine goals. Pivotal to the team and another excellent performance tonight with a goal and an assist to his name.

Abraham Majok – 6

Majok was unfortunately wasteful with his chances, once skying a shot that was harder to miss than find the target. He was also dispossessed regularly when going forward that put the already out-of-position Kamau in more trouble because of his inability to retain possession.

Mitchell Duke – 7.5

Duke took his first start for the Wanderers excellently as he scored a somewhat lucky goal, but still carried the danger that he showed from some of the appearances he made off the bench.

Oriol Riera – 9

The Spaniard silenced his critics tonight with a performance reminiscent of those of last season, when he was the second-highest goal scorer in the league, with two classic Riera goals.

SUBS

Kwame Yeboah – 6

Got in behind the Brisbane defence to get a one on one chance against Young but was denied by the cross-post.

Mark Bridge – 5.5

Came off the bench for a short spurt of 10 minutes and the only notable action was his high boot that caught Lopez flush on the chin.

Giancarlo Gallifuoco – 6

Came on too late to have much impact on the match.