Jacob Pepper - 6

The much-maligned Pepper was excellent in the first half, albeit copping a booking for repeat fouling. In the second, however, his lack of pace and mobility was sorely exposed amid mounting Perth pressure.

Connor O’Toole – 6.5

The young fullback showed his talent in the first half with several interceptions and some composed play on the ball, but showed his positional inexperience in the second, caught out on multiple occasions by Chianese.

Alex Lopez – 6.5

Did well defensively to screen for his back four, but one feels his talents could be better utilised further up the field. Dropped too deep to receive the ball from his centre halves and seemed to tire as the game went on.

Thomas Kristensen – 6

Positionally sharp but his execution left much to be desired, often giving the ball away unnecessarily. Barely featured in the second as his aging legs got the better of him.

Matt McKay – 7.5

Provided little on the ball but his energy and discipline contributed greatly to the Roar’s high press. Booked for petulantly kicking the ball away, even though his side had been awarded the free kick. Substituted early in the second half after getting through a mountain of work.

Dane Ingham – 7

Showed presence of mind to quickly play in Taggart over the top when the ball dropped to him from a Perth goal kick. Great pace up and down the right flank, but wildly inconsistent with his delivery. Sacrificed for Reardon after the red card.

Adam Taggart – 8

Struggled to stay onside early on, but his off-the-shoulder approach soon paid off, heading the ball over the onrushing Reddy and sidefooting home into the empty net.

Doubled his tally with a thumping near-post header from a Bautheac corner. Blazed his late penalty against the bar and over.

Eric Bautheac – 7.5

Provided some sweet deliveries from set pieces, teeing up Taggart in the 41st minute with a wickedly struck in-swinging corner. Was a bright spot for the Roar in the second half, with one extraordinarily determined run prompting an ovation from the Brisbane faithful.

SUBS

Nick D’Agostino – 6

Had plenty of time on the park but little service as his substitution was quickly followed by Bowles’ red card.

Aaron Reardon – 2

An absolute nightmare of a cameo for the promising youngster, who gave away a penalty for handball before inadvertently turning a Chianese cross into his own net.

Henrique – N/A

Not given enough time to influence the outcome.