Newcastle Jets 0 - 1 Melbourne Victory

While Keisuke Honda has undeniable pulling power, the obvious draw was a chance to see Newcastle attempt to rectify some of their woes about last season’s grand final. More importantly though the clash between the Jets and Victory saw two teams working to kick-start their respective campaigns.

Ernie Merrick’s pre-match comments regarding a need to press harder came to fruition impressively as the Jets consistently forced Victory in to overturning the ball in the first half. By contrast, the second period saw a rejuvenated Melbourne seeking to bring balance to the contest.

Once Victory scored, the result was essentially sealed, as the Jets faced a similar problem to last year’s decider, seeing their good work go to waste.

Newcastle Jets

Glen Moss — 6

Could do little in preventing Antonis’ winner, but was fairly solid in the moments he was called upon.

Daniel Georgievski — 5.5

The former Victory man let his previous side in one too many times down his flank. Fought well as he attempted to spur his side with his aggressive defensive output.

Nigel Boogard — 5

Stood tall, but was outmatched for pace by the wily Barbarouses.

Nikolai Topor-Stanley — 6.5

Cut out Victory’s attempted penetrative passes well. Additionally, he was solely responsible for cleaning up at the back when his side seemed caught out.

Lachlan Jackson — 6

For a defensively minded fullback, Jackson was involved early on in some rare attacking forays, finding Vargas in space only to see the Venezuelan hit the bar, as well as sending a header from a Petratos corner. A relatively good performance.

Steven Ugarkovic — 6

An industrious shift for the defensive midfielder, who had to match it with Victory’s quartet of talents.

Matthew Ridenton — 6.5

A positive all round showing for the New Zealand international, who caught the eye especially with his through balls to his teammates.

Jason Hoffman — 6

Chameleon like in the manner in which he would camouflage himself in and out of the match, only to appear in shifted roles across the pitch, taking the role of striker, winger and midfielder to great effect. A quieter second half.

Ronald Vargas — 7

Nearly shattered the bar with a ferocious strike early on in the first stanza. Conjured a large amount of the Jets’ better moments with some fancy fleeted footwork and flicked passes reminiscent of the build up to Riley McGree’s “oh my goodness” moment of last season.

Dimi Petratos — 6

Under the watchful eye of Graham Arnold’s Socceroos scouting staff Petratos was not as his complete best despite some positive link ups with Vargas.

Jair — 5

Having received little fanfare and media attention coming in to the season as the sole Brazilian in the A-League, the former Jeonnam Dragons goal machine was rather unsighted for much of the match bar from a tame low effort at goal and occasional fancy touch. Despite an impressive goal return in the K-League he is yet to find his feet in the A-League.

SUBS

Mitch Austin — 6

Replaced Jair and was often looked to to provide a moment to shift the tide.

Kaine Sheppard — 6

Some nice passing and positive forward thinking play, contributing more in his cameo than Jair did in an hour of play.

Ben Kantarovski — 6

Tried to rally his side towards an equaliser at the end.

Melbourne Victory

Lawrence Thomas — 7

The grand final hero was kept to tidying up for his team for much of the match except in a comical moment where he shanked a ball nearly beyond him and in to his own net. Comfortable in his saves all night long.

Storm Roux — 6

A willing presence in defence, unafraid to push his team forward.

Georg Niedermeier — 5.5

The imposing giant and graduate of the Bayern Munich youth system was a constant wall impeding the Jets’ efforts from outside the area. Some poor challenges in the second half.

Thomas Deng — 7

Unusually lacked his typical defensive composure as he was forced by Newcastle’s press in to bombarding the ball several times to a strike force devoid of notable height. A different story entirely, like the rest of his team, in the second half, as he was positioned well many times to prevent the Jets breaching the defence.

Corey Brown — 6

The ex-Brisbane Roar man was often utilised as he ventured forward, although such persistence played against his side as Newcastle broke with the likes of Petratos and Vargas.

Carl Valeri — 6

The Victory stalwart deputised for the injured Raul Baena and despite a characteristically physical display was culpable for dawdling on the ball at times.

Terry Antonis — 6

In his 100th A-League appearance Antonis was again shifted in to a left midfield role as a part of Victory’s new diamond formation, struggling for seventy minutes as his teammates sought him on the wing where he was clearly unsuited. As the clock struck the 70th minute, so did Antonis, with a well struck low drive past Glen Moss.

Keisuke Honda — 6.5

A really quiet first half showing for the Japan great as he struggled to make any sort of impact on the game. In contrast, the second period demonstrated a clear desire of Muscat to bring Honda in to the game, with the marquee dictating play and notching an assist for Antonis’ goal.

James Troisi — 7

The Asian Cup final hero played with a purpose unseen last season, seemingly intent on shaking the inconsistency of last season.

Jai Ingham — 5

Despite being important in pressing the Newcastle back four, displaying unparalleled speed in the game especially compared to those around him, he is simply not a striker.

Kosta Barbarouses — 7

Forever a nuisance for the Jets defence to contend with, setting himself in good positions but just lacking the finesse to put away his chances. Caught out correctly for an offside goal in what would have been a gut punch for the impressive Jets had it stood.

SUBS

Leigh Broxham — 6

A solid showing off the bench.

Josh Hope — 6

Fluffed a chance late on to set up a teammate but was kept mainly to defensive work.