The action was all about Brisbane Roar and Melbourne Victory, but match officials were still fuming about comments Wellington Phoenix coach Mark Rudan said a couple of weeks ago.

Rudan gave a post-game spray to VAR and referee Adam Kersey for sending off Ryan Lowry which opened the door for Perth Glory to equalise.

“It couldn’t of been more one-sided,” Rudan said afterwards.

“I’ve never seen anything like it. It got to the point where I had to laugh. I turned around to my coaching staff. It was hilarious, a joke, an absolute joke.

“If he can sleep well at night, good on him. He’s cost us, he certainly has. My biggest disappointment is for my players right now because we deserved three points against the league leaders. We put on a display tonight and we deserved more>

FFA declined the sanction the Nix boss for his outburst and the refs carried through with their threat to cover the respect badges.

But if the whistle blowers were hoping for some reflection from clubs at Suncorp Stadium on Friday they were sorely mistaken.

In a volatile match that saw Brisbane reduced to 10 early in the game, the Roar and Victory benches were in the ear of the 4th official constantly during the first 45', before coach John Aloisi took up his case with officials as they left the pitch at half time.