Attacking with pace and more importantly, purpose, the visitors won 2-1 at AAMI Park to take all three points home to Brisbane.

The first half saw Victory launch most of the often toothless attacks only to be hit by two Roar sucker punches. Brisbane drove forward with intent every time they won the ball and they positioned themselves well enough to win the ball high.

The team with the oldest average age (33.4) in Australian football history won the game tonight. Is that a good thing?

Melbourne Victory

Lawrence Thomas – 6

The Victory custodian did well to recover from his awful head injury last week. He didn’t have much to do other than pick the ball up out of the net.

Leigh Broxham – 5

It was his poor clearing header that led to Brisbane’s first goal. He didn’t get forward enough down the left either.

Rhys Williams – 5.5

With a lot of the pre-game talk centred on his Socceroo hopes he might have put a bit too much pressure on himself tonight. Both Victory centre halves were guilty of turning the ball over but their midfielders were at fault here too from bad positioning and presenting.  

James Donachie – 6.5

Took him a while to shrug off an early knock to the hip but he went on to be Victory’s strongest performer in defence. Constantly cut out Brisbane attacks. That said, he was guilty of getting too close to Maccarone for the Italian’s goal.

Jason Geria – 6

Came to life in the second half. He has been excellent for Victory this season but he needs to get the confidence to shoot.