The football on display would have been very familiar to the Barmy Army who had walked over to watch. Some of them might have even recognised the former Middlesbrough captain, Rhys Williams. Kevin Muscat will be hoping they don’t take any tales of the tall centre-half’s commanding performance home with them.

The question keeps being asked, are Victory back to their best? Or was tonight just a case of the Jets not quite having the firepower?

Melbourne Victory

Lawrence Thomas – 6

Nothing he could do better for Jason Hoffman’s goal and he didn’t have much else to do all game.

Jason Geria – 8

Could have, and probably should have, taken on the shot himself but his great run bore a great assist for Kosta Barbarouses to score. Ninja-ed in on Ivan Vujica brilliantly for the Victory penalty. Another commanding display from one of the best performing fullbacks in the league.

Stefan Nigro –  6

Defended with aplomb but his contribution to the build-up play in the first half could have been better. However, he did make some confident overlapping, third man runs.

Thomas Deng – 7

Working beside Williams must be teaching this youngster a lot. In this game he made a couple of forward runs, which we’re more accustomed to seeing from Williams. A good, solid performance from this youngster.

Rhys Williams –  9

His passing was sublime. His defending was sublime. If any of his former admirers from the UK are keeping tabs on him, he could be gone in January.

 

Carl Valeri ­– 6

His lack of pace was a little bit more apparent in this fast paced game.

Mark Milligan – 7.5

The splinters from last week must have been spurring him on today. He read the play like he had a Gray’s Sports Almanac in his back pocket. His speed of thought in turning defence into attack was at the heart of most of Victory’s good play. His penalty was rubbish.

James Troisi – 5.5

Won the ball back in dangerous areas a few times tonight. However, he didn’t contribute as much to the build-up play that someone of his pedigree should. Should have hit the target with the volley that fell to him in the box.

Leroy George – 8

He was really unlucky not to score in the first half. Rattled the post instead. His ability to turn his man is outstanding. He did that many times tonight against poor Koutroumbis.

Kosta Barbarouses  –  6.5

A great finish for Victory’s first goal. He wasn’t really in the game until then. Afterwards he made some great runs and got into good crossing positions. However, his crosses missed their mark too often.

Besart Berisha – 7

A wonderful run and finish for his goal. His trick to linger offside and rely on his wingers to get beyond him, is a good one but he needs to change it up more. He used to try this trick a couple of times in games now he could make offside his Amazon delivery address.

SUBS

Muscat left it so late to make any changes that it’d be unfair to grade them. They were made to time-waste and break up play.

 

Newcastle Jets

Glen Moss – 6

Should have protected his front post better to deny Berisha. Saved his 8th penalty, which would normally give a goalkeeper a good score but it was his 8th so we almost expect it now and not protecting your front post is criminal. Nothing he could do to stop Barbarouses.  

Johnny Koutroumbis – 5

Had the misfortune to come up against an almost unplayable Leroy George. Not sure if anyone could have contained the tricky Dutchman tonight. Hopefully he recovers from whatever it was that forced him off.

Nigel Boogaard – 5.5

When one centre half stands out as much as Topor-Stanley did it’s often because he’s picking up the slack from his partner.

Nikolai Topor-Stanley – 7.5

He leads the league in pass intercepts and aerial duels won. His performance tonight stayed true to form. His sharp new hairdo has corresponded with these polished performances. A few other players in the league should make appointments to see the big man’s barber.

Ivan Vujica – 6

He owes Glen Moss a beer or two after the stopper saved the penalty Vujica gave away. He had put in a good defensive performance before then.

 

Ben Kantarovski  –  4

Was a little bit off the pace and had to be withdrawn at halftime. Hopefully, he can recover quickly.

Steven Ugarkovic – 7

He was very composed in the midfield and worked brilliantly to set up Hoffman for his goal. The only thing his game really lacks is any genuine threat on goal.

Dimitri Petratos – 5.5

Victory worked hard to nullify Newcastle’s dangerman. He’ll need to lift his game again to deal with this uptick in attention.

Jason Hoffman – 6.5

Did well to finish his goal but he’ll be the first to tell you he could have and should have had a hat trick tonight. He’ll be working on his heading all week.

Andrew Nabbout – 5.5

He would have loved to have made an impact against his old club but he was rather anonymous tonight. Pushed himself hard early on but he was soon reined in by the strong Victory defence.

Joe Champness – 5.5

Another attacker who struggled against the in-form Victory defence. That said, he did present well and hold the ball up a few times under pressure. A few more goals are all he needs to take his game to the next level.

SUBS

Wayne Brown – 5.5

Replaced Kantarovski at halftime and did well to keep Troisi under wraps.

Lachlan Jackson –  5

The Newcastle Jets coaching staff threw Jackson in to be the next sacrificial victim on the altar of Leroy George. Apparently, they chose Jackson for his speed, which isn’t what makes George dangerous.

Mario Shabow  –  4

His team needed someone to come on, make an impact and change the game. He didn’t.