Both teams were dead on their feet, making the match look like a bout in a Rocky film, particularly with Brisbane’s veteran brigade. Newcastle took the lead with a great early counterpunch and held on from there.

Brisbane were down on confidence coming into this game and it showed in the early stages. Too many of their passes were off target, good runs were ignored and chances were wasted.

The quick turnaround looked like it sucked the life out of Brisbane’s old guard. In the end, the points decision went the way of the favourites. 

Newcastle Jets

Glen Moss 7.5 – Made a couple of great saves to keep his team in the lead and kept a clean sheet.

Ivan Vujica  6 – He made some great contributions in both attack and defence. Nearly got himself on the scoresheet in the second half and he combined well with Rodriguez.  

Nigel Boogard 6 – He was excellent tonight. Nearly got an assist but his main job is to defend, which he did with aplomb tonight. His clearing headers constantly got his team out of trouble.

Nikolai Topor-Stanley 6 – The Hyphen didn’t have as big an impact on the game as he has in previous weeks, but he was still immense.

This is a very strong defensive partnership, when one has a quieter night the other picks up the slack. He said he's going fishing over the break, so he deserves to catch a whole school of fish tomorrow with his nephew. 

Daniel Georgievski 6.5 – Dealt with the dangerous Eric Bautheac and was involved in some really nice Jets build up play.

Wayne Brown 6 – Some great defensive midfield work. He made a couple of tackles that prevented Brisbane from putting his defence under more pressure and he put some good balls forward.

Steven Ugarkovic 6 – He’s having a really good season as the deep lying playmaker but his efforts on goal have let him down.

Dimitri Petratos 7.5 – He constantly played forward passes tonight. He turned his man many times and set up some wonderful attacks. However, he’s still not as dangerous as he was in the first few games of the season.

Jason Hoffman 7.5 – A great goal. Took Nabbout's ball in his stride, beating Papadopoulos and lifted it over the on-rushing Jaimie Young majestically. He didn’t do much else though.

Andrew Nabbout 8 – Provided an amazing assist for Jason Hoffman. Must have been getting into some of his dad’s old weightlifting routines because he was much too strong for the Brisbane defence tonight. He's been superb for the Jets this season.

Devante Clut 5 – Didn’t have his eye in, putting several good chances way off target. That’s understandable from someone who hasn’t had much game time this season, but if he wants more minutes he needs to score from every chance he gets.

Subs

Pato Rodriguez 6 – Entered the game at halftime and looked very dangerous. He featured in every one of Newcastle’s second half highlights.

John Koutroumbis 5 – Didn’t have long to impact the game but his fresh legs up front caused a worry or two.

Angus Thurgate 5 – Was just a few inches off scoring on debut. Only had a couple of minutes on the pitch but it won’t be the last chance he gets. 

Brisbane

Jamie Young 7.5 – Got put under intense pressure again tonight but he must be getting used to it. Brisbane would have been completely out of the game without him.  

Jack Hingert 5.5 – Didn’t contribute to the attack as much as he has in previous seasons. Did his job defensively.

Jacob Pepper 4.5 – Struggled to deal with the strength of Nabbout. He also sent some clearances straight up the park to the waiting Jets.

Avraam Papadopoulos 6 – Was a constant threat at set pieces and nearly had a couple of goals. However, he's a defender and was caught a few steps out of position for Newcastle’s goal. He’ll make a difference for Brisbane now he’s back from suspension.  

Connor O’Toole 5.5 – Prevented a certain goal in the first half but butchered a great chance to head his team back into the game in the second half.

Thomas Kristensen 4 – Off the pace again tonight. Not good enough from a VISA player.

Fahid Ben Khalfallah 4.5 – Not on the same wavelength as most of his team tonight and his quality really decayed throughout the game. His first few minutes were good, but nothing he tried was working by match-end.

Matt McKay 5 – His embarrassing slip early in the second half will make it onto the A League blooper reel. Too many sideways and backwards passes when there were better options. Had a couple of good chances to score but that has never been one of his strengths.

Daniel Leck 6 – Made a few chances for himself in the first half but couldn’t finish them, and his runs were dangerous but his team mates didn’t find him.

Otherwise he was one of Brisbane’s best players in the first half, but didn’t get many touches in the second before Aloisi took him off.

Massimo Maccarone 3 – Looked his age tonight. Or older. His body language was awful too and something like that can have a very bad effect on your teammates.

He looked uninterested and defeated. That said, should someone his age be expected to play this many ninety minute games in a short space of time? Should have been subbed off for a rest.

Eric Bautheac 6 – Gave his all tonight but on numerous occasions that effort was wasted. He was Brisbane’s most creative player after FBK began his decline. He was also subbed off by Aloisi. 

Subs

Ivan Franjic 6 – He was denied a goal by an amazing save from Glen Moss. He made his name as a right back but played much higher tonight and provided some wonderful switches of play.

Shannon Brady 5 – Showed little of what he could do down the left when Brisbane really needed his fresh legs.