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.