Pantelis scored the decisive second goal in a 2-0 win over Newcastle Jets to help lift the Reds back to the top of the table.

Vidmar said: “It was certainly a great way to bounce back. It was really important that we went out there in a positive frame of mind with the right intentions to get the three points so I’m really pleased."

Vidmar sprung a surprise by injecting Pantelis, who has not played since Round 11, into the starting eleven, with retiring veteran Michael Valkanis starting on the bench in his testimonial match.

The coach said: “There was a bit of a risk but I was really wary about playing him (Pantelis) but after discussions with Phil (Stubbins) he probably made me change my mind because we really missed someone in the middle of the park, that can get behind people and Lucas can do that, so it was a risk but it worked out well.

"He (Pantelis) came up to me last Monday and said that he was ready and I said 'OK, no problems.

"There are some players that will do that and others who don't so that's how he is and that's fine, not a problem. If he didn't tell me I probably would've said 'Go and play youth league'.

"He came up to me at the right time. He probably saw that there might have been a hole somewhere and well done to him.

"I really wanted him to play in the youth league but after discussions with Phil he probably made me change my mind and he said 'We haven't got much to lose."

While Vidmar had concerns about Pantelis' involvement in Friday night's clash, he had no doubts the player would eventually earn a place back in the side.

He said: "When you see someone who hasn't played for two months come out and play 80 minutes like he did tonight tells you that he's put in an enormous amount of work into is rehab.

"We've really missed someone in the middle of the park that can start getting in behind people and Lucas can certainly do that but it worked out well."

It was Adelaide’s third match in six days and skipper Travis Dodd said the squad had shown strong mental toughness during the heavy schedule.

“It has been a tough haul but as we’ve spoken about it all year, the boys have shown great character and a lot of heart to get through the schedule and tonight was no different,” he said.