The Victory were looking to bounce back after being brushed aside by Adelaide during the week, while the time the Jets were in Melbourne, they went down to Victory’s rivals Melbourne City.

Kevin Muscat’s side did bounce back from their shock midweek defeat, but it was a far from convincing display.

After a goalless first half in which the Jets could have taken the lead early through Roy O’Donovan, Terry Antonis opened the scoring by applying the finishing touch to a delicate team-move involving James Troisi and Kenny Athiu minutes after the restart.

It looked as if the Victory would see the game out at 1–0, although substitute Kaine Sheppard had other ideas as he made an immediate impact off the bench by equalising in the 78th minute.

Troisi would have the last laugh though, as the midfielder created a yard of space in the area to rifle the ball past Italiano at his near post, as Victory bounced back, but more importantly closed the gap to leaders Perth at the top.

Melbourne Victory

Lawrence Thomas – 7

Was very alert in the first few minutes to deny Roy O’Donovan but also looked very alert for the rest of the first period. Just about got his hand on a fierce effort from Daniel Georgievski.

Storm Roux – 6

Not as prevalent an outlet as Corey Brown but still was able to link up with Terry Antonis frequently all night.

Leigh Broxham – 6

Adjusted very well in recent weeks as a makeshift centre-back but Kevin Muscat will still prefer to have his other options available again.

Thomas Deng – 6.5

Looked comfortable yet again, although struggled at times with O’Donovan’s clever movement.

Corey Brown – 6.5

Was the main outlet for Victory in a stagnant first half display. His influence dropped off after halftime but overall the former Brisbane man was much improved from a horror show in Adelaide.

Carl Valeri – 6

As usual nothing special from the veteran in the centre of the park but he always does the job required from a captain by giving a solid display each week.

Josh Hope – 6.5

Showed a few bursts of what he is capable of here and there but struggled to be on the same wavelength as Antonis and Troisi. Subbed.

Terry Antonis – 7.5

Was at the centre of everything good from a Victory perspective in the opening period but couldn’t replace that ruthlessness missing through Keisuke Honda.

Did provide a glimpse of what Victory have been missing with a superb first time finish just minutes into the second half. Subbed.

James Troisi – 6

Was able to get on the ball plenty in the opening half, but from ineffective areas. That continued for most of the second period, except when the 30-year-old put his side back in front with an emphatic finish late on.

Ola Toivonen – 6

Was a passenger in the first half, although that was mostly due to poor service from the midfield. Showed a couple of world class touches in the second half but had an off night overall. Subbed.

Kenny Athiu – 6.5

Looked a little off the pace early on but grew into the game by playing to his strengths - his physicality and hold up play. Provided a magnificent assist for the opener by laying the ball on a plate for Antonis.

Subs

Raul Baena – 6

Showed a nice piece of skill in the lead up to Troisi’s goal as he steps up his return from injury.

Elvis Kamsoba – 6

Was brought on to play alongside Athiu in a front pair but looks as if he is more suited on the right or left of the diamond.

Kosta Barbarouses – N/A

Came on for Antonis right at the end to take some time off the clock.

Newcastle Jets

Lewis Italiano – 6.5

Had one nervy moment in the early stages when he came out when he shouldn’t have, but looked comfortable for the most part. It is arguable that he could’ve done more to stop Antonis’ opener.

Was beaten at his near post for Victory’s second, although he probably wasn’t expecting it.

John Koutroumbis – 6.5

A solid defensive display although he hardly provided any support in an attacking sense.

Nigel Boogaard – 6

Was such a pivotal figure in the title charge last season but his influence has waned this time around as Newcastle once again failed to keep a clean sheet.

Nikolai Topor-Stanley – 6.5

Stopped Toivonen from having any major influence on the match, but another game without a clean sheet will be frustrating.

Daniel Georgievski – 7

Much like Brown for Victory, Georgievski was the major outlet for the Jets in the first half but his final ball was always left wanting. Almost scored an absolute stunner from the edge of the area but Thomas’ fingertips denied him. Subbed.

Steven Ugarkovic – 7

Looked very comfortable and assured in his distribution as Newcastle seized the initiative in the first half. Continued to do well in the second half but once again he ended up on the losing side.

Matt Ridenton – 6.5

Did well with Ugarkovic to close down any space for the likes of Antonis and Troisi to exploit in the first half, but could have more influence in possession.

Jason Hoffman – 6

Hoffman seems as if he is much better playing in advanced attacking roles than as a fullback, although his display didn’t guarantee a starting spot over Ronald Vargas next week.

Dimitri Petratos – 6.5

A similar display to his opposite number 10 in Troisi as there was much endeavour without being brave enough in possession.

Jair – 7

The exciting Brazilian showed that he is at his best when he is given freedom to run at the opposite fullback, although like Georgievski his final ball was lacking.

Was a threat to the Victory defence all night, but he should have scored when he scuffed his effort from point blank range. Subbed.

Roy O’Donovan – 6.5

As usual the Irishman was a nuisance in the early stages but he would have been annoyed that he didn’t bulge the net inside five minutes. Was much more starved of service in the second half as Victory got back on top.

Subs:

Angus Thurgate – 6

Came on for a fifteen minute cameo but couldn’t make a major impact.

Kaine Sheppard – 7

It was surprising that the former Avondale man wasn’t brought on earlier, but when he did come on, he provided just what was asked as he netted the equaliser just moments after.