A crowd of 16,633 saw Taggart score an early opener before the Jets came from behind to lead 2-1 through goals from Roy O’Donovan and Ben Kantarovski, but it was their former Golden Boot winner who popped up late in stoppage time to level proceedings.

NEWCASTLE JETS

Jack Duncan (GK) – 7

Didn’t have much to do in the first half against his former team but was beaten at his near post by a well-taken flick from Taggart. Claimed aerial balls well and produced two big second half saves; a one-on-one against Chris Harold to maintain Newcastle’s lead and again on a Taggart header.

Daniel Georgievski – 6

He brings mongrel to the Newcastle side. Georgievski played on the lookout for an attacking move or pass and was aggressive against Mills down the flanks, receiving a yellow card for a tough challenge on the Englishman. Could’ve easily scored on half-time when he skied a shot close to goal.

Nigel Boogaard – 7

A calming influence in defence, all attacks which started from the back came through the skipper. He made a crucial tackle on Diego Castro when the Spaniard broke through a gap en route to the box and he could’ve set up a late winner but for Lachie Jackson getting in the way of his header.

Nikolai Topor-Stanley – 5

He was second-best in comparison to his fellow centre-half. Topor-Stanley had his golden moment in providing the assist for Kantarovski’s goal (and will be quietly filthy he didn’t score it himself as it bounced off the post).

Ivan Vujica – 7.5

The Croatian didn’t see much of the ball in the first half but set up Georgievski with a beautiful cross to end the period. An accumulation of positive touches, runs and well-timed defensive challenges in the second half put him at front of mind for all watching. Played 82 minutes.

Ben Kantarovski – 6

Did well enough to anchor the centre of the field as Perth opted to go wide. He scored his first goal in nearly two years when he was given a gift to bundle in from the teeth of goal.

Steven Ugarkovic – 5

Struggled to hit his passes at times and most of his job was done by Vargas when the Venezuelan dropped in. He gave possession away occasionally but had his best moments right before the break and in the middle of the second half with some handy passes.

Dimi Petratos – 7.5

The winger was deprived of the ball in wide areas in the first half and drifted inside to get involved, but took the reins after half time when Vargas tired and was taken off. He looked to link and be creative, was good on the set pieces – he set up the Kantarovski goal – and made Liam Reddy work with some ferocious shots.

Ronny Vargas – 8

Newcastle’s most impactful player going forward, he set the tone with a snap-shot early in the game. The playmaker created a lot centrally, covering plenty of ground to pass and move and set up those ahead of him. He was the architect for the Jets’ opener, spreading the play to level the match. Came off in the 72nd minute.

Andrew Nabbout – 7

Nabbout took some time to get into a groove. The winger sent in a trademark cross for O’Donovan’s goal which gave him the confidence to find space in his wide runs thereafter. He gave Walker a handful to deal with in the second half in one of the game’s most intriguing battles. Still needs to work on power and his right foot.

Roy O’Donovan – 7

O’Donovan certainly won the battle of the Irish strikers. He was active in the final third, making creative runs into space and working the makeshift Perth defence over. Caught offside a few times but scored his fourth goal for the season.

SUBS

Wayne Brown – 5

Replaced Vargas in the second half but didn’t have too much of in impact in the half hour he played. He only had nine touches.

Joey Champness – 6

Introduced in the 76th minute and got himself involved; the young forward is a very positive player. He was given a yellow card.

Lachlan Jackson – 5

Came on the 82nd minute and didn’t see too much of it, bar for one or two clearances. Got in the way of a Boogaard header which could’ve set up a late winner.

 

 

PERTH GLORY

Liam Reddy (GK) – 6

A smart save on Vargas in the opening minutes of the match had Reddy on alert from the off and had to deny a Dimi Petratos strike in the second half. He’d be frustrated at how both goals were conceded at his far post.

Jeremy Walker – 7

For his first A-League game in nearly four years, Walker settled quickly and showed good intentions to get up and down his flank to beat the opposition. Drafted into the Perth team during the week the right-back was a ball of energy and did very well defensively, winning eight of his ten duels.

Jacob Poscoliero – 4.5

All of Newcastle’s early chances went through his portion of the field in the first half. The centre-back could’ve possibly done better to prevent the O’Donovan goal but would’ve also been at risk of scoring an own goal, such was the quality of the cross. Came off after 66 minutes.

Scott Neville – 5

Neville did his job in defence without making any big mistakes but still copped two goals. Put himself in the way of a few good balls into the box.

Joseph Mills – 5.5

Mills got himself a lot of it down the left but was unable to use it or be creative, and was pressed well by Petratos and Georgievski who battered him with some hard challenges. Worked into the game and had to grind hard.

 

Brandon Wilson – 6

Looked comfortable on the ball in the first half and was a good foil in midfield alongside Torres. The young midfielder looks calm in tight spaces and can play a smart one-touch pass but also lost concentration in the second half and gave away the ball too easily.

Xavi Torres – 5.5

The new signing was there to aid the back four and was moved into defence for the last half hour when Poscoliero was taken off. He was good without being great.

Mitch Mallia – 6

Mallia only saw a half and was outshone by Walker in wide situations on the right flank. Walker overlapped and played early crosses, so Mallia had to become an inside influence, cutting in and getting balls into the box.

Diego Castro – 8

Castro was at his creative best in the first half and pinged long balls all over the field, including the one to set up a corner – which he also took – for Taggart’s opening goal. He faded out of the game slightly in the second half but was comfortably Perth’s best over the whole game.

Adam Taggart – 7

Returning to his old stomping grounds, Taggart bookended the game with two sharp goals. His first was a smartly worked flick at the front post from a cross and the second from a laser header to draw the game level. Could’ve had a third but for a diving save from Duncan. Did very little in between these involvements.

Andy Keogh – 4

The Perth captain was barely sighted in the first half and the case was similar in the second. He tried to link up and play the hold-up centre forward role but uncharacteristically had close to no impact on the game.

SUBS

Chris Harold – 5.5

Coming on at half-time for Mallia, Harold had his first big chance in the 66th minute when he had a shot in the box but fired it at Duncan as Vujica clung onto his shoulder. He put in the short cross for Taggart’s equaliser in second half stoppage time.

Jake Brimmer – 5.5

Brimmer came on just after the hour mark for Poscoliero. He helped set up the late Taggart equaliser, keeping his cool in a crowded area in stoppage time to lay it off for Harold who sent in the cross. The former Liverpool youth player looks good on the ball and should be fun to watch as the season goes on.