When originally scheduled as the showpiece for Round 6 in prime time, you would have been crazier than the Mad Hatter at the Spring Carnival to say that these teams would have a total of 5 points between them this far into the season.

We saw the return of Besart Berisha from his ill-timed two game suspension, and a very unfamiliar looking Brisbane Roar, including an A-League debut for left-back Connor O’Toole, and starts to youngsters Nick D’Agostino, Joe Caletti and Peter Skapetis. So much for Dad’s Army!

Both teams were desperate for a win and it showed in the 2nd half, but it really took until the Victory goal for both teams to be sparked into life. So here’s your player ratings - keep an eye out for Christian Theoharous whose balance and positive play was a highlight.

Brisbane Roar

Jamie Young – 8.5 - Brilliant right handed save in the 19th Minute to deny Victory off a misplaced Maccarone header, and another at his near post from a Leroy George bullet. Had little to do but when needed he stood up. Hard to see Michael Theo displacing him when fit again.

Connor O’Toole – 7 – Handled his starting debut well, with searching balls for Maccarone fired in early. Got back and defended when needed, but John Aloisi would be happy to see the attacking intent from his left back.

Jacob Pepper – 6.5 - In the unfamiliar role of Centre Back; such is the injury toll at Brisbane currently. Didn’t do too much wrong and filled the hole well alongside Avraam Papadopoulos.

Jack Hingert – 7 - Put in some heavy challenges and his overlapping run to set up a tap in for the only Roar goal was a highlight. Didn’t provide any width for the Roar for the majority of the night.

Avraam Papadopoulos - 7 – has begun to stand up this year and was strong in defence for the Roar. Broke up Melbourne Victory attacks most of the night with key interceptions.

Joe Caletti – 6.5 - Good range of passing and linked with McKay but not overly influential.

Matt McKay – 6 – Very busy. Busy almost giving Besart Berisha a gift until Jacob Pepper came to the rescue. Bailed out on more than one occasion by the backline.

Peter Skapetis – 6 - Some good forward runs early but the end product was not quite there.

Nick D’Agostino – 6.5 - A late inclusion for Ben Khalfallah and you always get maximum effort from him. Had a great chance to put the Roar up against the run of play in the 30th minute with a header. Failed to make any further impact and was subbed for Brett Holman 65 minutes into his night.

Eric Bautheac – 7.5 - Poked, prodded and probed all night. Mainly with his wicked left boot into the box, which he always gave plenty of tail. The Ligue 1 veteran is starting to hit his straps for his first team outside his home country and don’t the Roar need it.

Massimo Maccarone – 5.5 – He was given mixed delivery and didn’t fire a shot in anger. Very quiet night for the Italian whose only memorable contribution was almost scoring an own goal from a Victory corner.

Brett Holman – 7 - Came on in the 65th Minute and timed his run to perfection to tap into an open goal on the back of a great run by Jack Hingert. Questions as to his absence from the starting team, but a luxury to bring his experience off the bench.

Rahmat Akbari – N/A - 82nd Minute substitution, had a late chance to cross from the right but couldn’t find a teammate.

Adam Sawyer – N/A - 91st Minute substitution and a debut for the youngster.

Melbourne Victory

Lawrence Thomas – 7 - Did his job when required including denying a Nick D’Agostino header in the first half. Drawn out to his near post to cover, but Jack Hingert was able to angle his cut back past him, leaving an open goal for Brett Holman to tap into.

Jason Geria – 6.5 - Did well to get forward and contribute but got lost in a flock of seagulls in the 2nd half.            

Thomas Deng – 6 - Assured performance on the back of scoring last week. Played second fiddle to Rhys Williams whose presence dominated.

Rhys Williams – 7.5 - Responded to non-selection for the Socceroos with a classy night. Stood up when required, fouled when required, and took on the game to promote positive football from his side.

Stefan Nigro – 6 – Didn’t have much to contribute throughout the night with Leroy George dominating on the opposite flank.

Leigh Broxham – 6 - Mr Fix It. Playing alongside Sanchez and Valeri meant he was left to go forward more often than he probably has in his whole career. It showed, as he failed to contribute too much and got jittery when close to the box.

Carl Valeri – 6.5 - Unfamiliar partnership in the middle without Milligan and was left to plug the holes with new partner Matias Sanchez. Distributed well when on the ball.

Matias Sanchez – 6.5 - A second start in a row for the Argentine. Will warm to the pace and the surfaces but currently in a holding pattern trying to find his groove, not made easy by inconsistent minutes. Substituted in the 77th minute.

Jai Ingham – 6.5 - Some lovely cut-backs on the left deep in Brisbane territory. Needed to look up before taking the next option though.

Leroy George – 8-

He’s been the shining light for Victory so far and his dead ball delivery was exceptional, adding to his already league-leading tally of chances created. Played the last pass to Besart Berisha to finish and the assist next to his name is nothing less than what he deserved.

Besart Berisha – 7 - Held a high line to allow Leroy George and Jai Ingham to occupy the space behind, until a chance fell his way to put Victory in the lead. Finished the goal on pure instinct, as we’ve come to expect from the A-League’s all-time leading goal scorer.

Christian Theoharous –7 - 77th Min sub and 2mins later tore down the left and sent a ball into the box that eventually landed at the feet of Leroy George, who tapped it to an unmarked Berisha, who finished the only way he knows how.

It was shades of Andrew Nabbout’s debut in 2012 against Sydney FC, and something for the fans to look forward to in future games.