Cahill was out injured for the clash along with key players Marcelo Carrusca and Ross McCormack as City put in their worst defensive display of the season.

Post-match Joyce laughed off speculation that the relationship with the veteran Socceroo had "reached breaking point".

“There’s been plenty of stories going around this week," he said. "I don’t know, I don’t know where that’s come from.

“I’m here to talk about the game to be fair and all the tittle tattle that’s gone on this week is tittle tattle.”

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Cahill dropped a bombshell following the Socceroos qualification for the World Cup saying he might have to look elsewhere for regular football.

“I’m not really here to talk about Tim,” Joyce added. “I think there’s been enough conversations this week. I’ve answered every question that’s been thrown at me – I’m here to talk about the (tonight’s) game.“

Significantly, Joyce admitted he didn't know how long Cahill would be out injured.

"I don’t know how long Tim will be, I’ve not spoken to him since he’s come back."

It was a tough night for the City coach as two of his most reliable players contributed to a disheartening loss at Suncorp.

Joyce who has tightened up sides notoriously leaky defence could only watch as the visitors spurned a chance to retake the summit at Suncorp.

Usually reliable defender Iacopo La Rocca and veteran goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic were involved in some comical mix-ups at the back as Roar notched their first win of the season.

“Well they were three horrendous individual mistakes, weren’t they,” Joyce said.

“I don’t think there were many chances created against us but you can’t expect to win any game and give away three goals like that.”

Joyce added: “It’s maybe two of the better players in La Rocca and Eugene have done great for us this year, they’ve earned us points, helped us get points. 

“Tonight they’ve cost us and they know that. But they’re good pros and every human can make mistakes. But if you make mistakes as bad as that it’s difficult to win games.

“In saying that I thought at 2-1 we were doing enough to get back in the game and I thought we had good opportunities to score and I think if we’d got it to 2-2 we’d go on and win the game.”

La Rocca was largely at fault for the opening two goals to Avraam Papadopoulos (5’) and Eric Bautheac (43’) to give Roar a two goal lead at the break.

Galekovic had an uncharacteristically nervy night between the post and fumbled a floated free kick enabling Papadopoulos to pounce on the loose ball for a brace and Roar’s third (70’).

A strong second half, and a goal from Stefan Mauk (54’) was little consolation for visitors who walked away with nothing.

Joyce added: "You can’t fault the effort, desire, drive throughout the game – particularly the second half – there’s the intent there to go and win it.

"There a lot of pluses tonight – it tells you things about the players, the group, what they’re willing to do for oe another and I certainly thought we deserved something out of the game, performance-wise anyway."