Hoffman's has a new lease on life under Ernie Merrick, and once again paid back the Scot's faith in him by scoring his third goal of the season, all that separated the sides.

Brisbane fashioned chances - Massimo Maccarone came close, while Ivan Franjic sent Glen Moss sprawling with a perfectly timed header, but Newcastle had greater quality.

The loss leaves Brisbane five hours without a goal, while Newcastle have now scored in all 16 games this season, an ever-growing A-League record. It's a special achievement, not lost on McDonald Jones Stadium.

Daniel Georgievski is another Merrick man who's flourishing in the Hunter, and he's happy that the fans are paying attention.

"Our fatigue definitely showed in the second half, but we've showed our defence is quite strong. In another game we would have scored three or four," he said.

"Everyone's wrecked. Everyone's been tired, so we're looking forward to the next eight days off and then show ourselves next week.

"One thing we said we had to fix (was the crowd). Newcastle's a sports city and we're happy with how it's going."

Thomas Kristensen's remaining positive, focusing on the fact that realistically, it could be a lot worse for the Roar.

"It's the history of our season, an even game that again falls to the opposition. We need more chances and give away stupid goals, but when you're on the bottom, it goes this way," he said.

"Here's a lot different to Europe, in Europe we'd be playing for relegation. We're focusing on sixth spot, the belief is definitely there or else we'd stop playing."