The Jets’ attacking midfielder had two assists and went close to scoring a goal of his own as Newcastle commanded the game when Victory’s team suffered two hammer blows in the first half.

Rhys Williams saw only 22 minutes of game time before exiting the game with an injury, before Mark Milligan – who’d stepped in for Williams at centre-back – was red carded minutes later for headbutting and grabbing at the throat of former teammate Daniel Georgievski.

Despite the Victory’s strong start which included a spectacular Kosta Barbarouses volley in the first six minutes, the river flowed in the favour of the home side with two goals to Andrew Nabbout and a one each for Daniel Georgievski and Joey Champness.

NEWCASTLE JETS

Glen Moss (GK) – 6

The Kiwi custodian would’ve felt a sickening drop in his stomach on his Newcastle debut when he conceded to countryman Kosta Barbarouses’ cracker but then had little to do thereafter.

Daniel Georgievski – 7.5

Replied to Barbarouses’ cracker with one of his own, teeing it up perfectly and arcing it to the top corner. Did his job defensively and was relentlessly attacking the Victory wide areas when they were down to ten. Came off with an injury later in the game.

Nigel Boogaard (C) – 7

As always, the skipper is a comforting presence in defence and covers every inch of the back third comprehensively. He gets his frame in the way and rarely made a mistake.

Nikolai Topor-Stanley – 7

Was solid in defence in a game where he wasn’t tested too often. He’ll be filthy about that opening Barbarouses goal but, like his partner in defence, did little wrong otherwise.

Ivan Vujica – 7.5

Always a class above at left-back and tempers his game beautifully. Doesn’t overcommit, reads the play well and is delightful cross of the ball.

 

Ben Kantarovski – 7.5

The holding midfielder was very diligent in getting back to screen his defence and fulfils these duties well. He thrives in the standing tackle, battling one-on-one for the ball.

Steven Ugarkovic – 7

A busy bee in midfield, he was vital in moving the ball up the field and into the open space a ten-man Melbourne were leaving. Ugarkovic is an impressively positive player.

Dimitri Petratos – 9

Set up two goals and almost scored from a scorching long-ranged effort which cannoned onto the crossbar. Unrelenting in his string-pulling from behind the striker and relished penetrating the Victory’s open corrido. Every little pass he played could’ve had a meaningful shot on the end of it and every shot he took of his own could’ve scored.

Jason Hoffman – 7

Initially looked a little lost on the right wing, making third-man runs into strange areas, but grew quickly as Newcastle rapidly took hold of the match. His runs improved and set up the Jet’s second goal with a pin-point cross into a tight space.

Joey Champness – 8

His game was rewarded with a goal at the end, courtesy of quick thinking from the ballboy. A lively player and uses his pace and striding gait to cause havoc out wide and isn’t afraid to take a few chances or create for teammates. Moves all about the final third and, at just 20-years-old, is learning quickly how to beat players in a contest.

Andrew Nabbout – 8

Filled in for Roy O’Donovan as Newcastle’s striker and played creatively by dropping in and using his fleet-footedness to create an extra link and be an extra passing option. Scored two goals from tap-ins.

SUBS

Mario Shabow – 6

Replaced an injured Hoffman after the 62nd minute and was given significant minutes for a developing player.

Nick Cowburn – 5

Another forced change for the Jets when Georgievski was taken off in the 65th minute.

Kosta Petratos – N/A

Came on for the final six minutes.

 

MELBOURNE VICTORY

Lawrence Thomas (GK) – 7

Despite conceding four goals, he pulled out several top-drawer saves throughout the game from the driving shots of Ivan Vujica and Dimitri Petratos.

Jason Geria – 5.5

Probably pushed up a little too high for Victory’s own good at times, leaving plenty of space in behind for Vujica and Champness to expose and giving Deng extra work to do.

Thomas Deng – 7

Played a confident game. His anticipation in defence is impressive and would’ve looked better had the players around him played at his standard.

Rhys Williams – 5

Didn’t too much wrong in his little time on the park. Taken off with an injury in the 22nd minute.

Leigh Broxham – 5

Like Valeri, he looks like a midfielder stuffed into a defender’s role. Daniel Georgievski played him like a fiddle for the second Newcastle goal by teasing him out of his left-back position, opening a pocket for Hoffman to lay on the assist.

 

Carl Valeri (C) – 5

Not half an hour had been played and the captain was already the third player to be cycled through centre-back after Williams’ injury and Milligan’s red card. He looked solid at best but was partially to blame for the second goal, being drawn out of his line and leaving Deng exposed at the back to defend Hoffman’s cross alone.

Mark Milligan – 3

Had to move to centre-half midway through the first half after Williams’ injury and then found himself taken off a few minutes later for an idiotic red card. A head-butt on Daniel Georgievski and then a hand to his throat, there’s nothing to argue for Milligan.

James Troisi – 6.5

His ball for Barbarouses’ opener was delightful; heavy enough that it was beyond Topor-Stanley but light enough that it sat perfectly for his teammate. His influence was hindered when he was required to play deeper to fill a gap.

Kosta Barbarouses – 6.5

Scored a pearler in the 6th minute with a perfect volley; it sat well for him. Moved from the right to the left flank in the 25th minute and was barely seen thereafter. He was taken off in the second half after heavy travel with New Zealand.

Leroy George – 6

Despite getting ball to feet, he found it a bit difficult in the first quarter of the game to get into space down the flank and was moved to the right side.

Besart Berisha – 5.5

The Kosovan essentially had to play two roles after the red card, coming into the play the no.10 role and move forward as best as he could to the no.9.

SUBS

Matias Sanchez – 4.5

Sanchez was very underwhelming in the centre of midfield for the Victory. He had to fill in as a defensive midfielder after the injury and red card, but unfortunately his defensive capabilities are far below what was required. Player breezed past him, he hardly put in a solid tackle and didn’t have the speed to match Petratos.

Jai Ingham – 5.5

Came on in the 71st minute for Barbarouses and was perfectly average.