Although Western Sydney started promisingly, disruptions on all fronts, playing at ANZ and injuries to arguably two of their best players, Oriol Riera and Jaushua Sotirio, saw the hosts crumble to Brisbane who grew in confidence.

The Italian, Massimo Maccarone was finally rewarded, and against the run of play, hit a half-volley with venom into the back of the net.

An inspired substitution by Aloisi led Ivan Franjic to double Brisbane’s lead, with a beautiful piece of play and finish.

WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS

Vedran Janjetovic (GK) - 6

Wasn’t troubled early, until Bautheac and Skapetis found their feet. Maccarone’s strike was purely unstoppable. Fully stretched out to try and save Franjic’s shot, but couldn’t get a palm onto it.

Josh Risdon - 6

Good defending early, and delivered a super ball into the danger area. Was at fault in conceding the first goal. Recovered well after Bautheac ran rings around him, and needed to do better in the first instance.

Jonathan Aspropotamitis - 5

Allowed Bautheac a lot of space, did make a few crucial clearances. Robbie Cornthwaite was missed at the back.

Michael Thwaite - 5.5

Evasive action to intercept a dangerous ball on the by-line, Captained side well with headed clearances. Poor defending leading up to first goal.

Raul Llorente - 6.5

A beauty of a cross to Riera early in the first, and had great vision and kept possession. Made crosses in but needed to cater the ball for Santalab etc. Had a few chances but they weren’t clear-cut, one of the few who tried to half the deficit.

Alvaro Cejudo - 6

Had a decent long range effort, good passing. With very quick feet, his chance in the 55th minute was sent straight to Young, but it was a good effort.

Kearyn Baccus - 5

Nice release to Sotirio for a chance, did well early linking up with Bonevacia. Overall, couldn’t do much with the ball.

Roly Bonevacia - 4

Hard work with runs, lacked final product. Overall, a quiet evening which could come down to a possible injury early in the game.

Jaushua Sotirio - 6

Was lively and busy early and looked to be the game-changer along with Riera. Was unfortunately subbed of in the 34th minute.

Oriol Riera – N/A

Missed a great opportunity in front of goal, as he headed over the bar after a bread and butter cross in by Llorente. Came off in the 18th minute with a possible hamstring strain. Couldn’t give a fair result.

Jumpei Kusukami - 3

Quiet and couldn’t do much with the ball, wasn’t one of his best games. Combination with Risdon produced very little.

Substitutes

Brendan Santalab - 5

Resorted to shouting out for penalties, and could not make an impact. To his defence, the service wasn’t there in order for Santalab to capitalise.

Jack Clisby - 5.5

Lively, poor decision with pass inside the box and had too much on it for Santalab. Couldn’t execute the final ball into the area.

BRISBANE ROAR

Jamie Young (GK) - 7.5

Did well in a scrappy passage in the box, and made some good saves, putting his body on the line.

Jack Hingert - 5.5

Allowed Llorente plenty of space to run in and cross, did better as the game wore on.

Jacob Pepper - 6

Looked fairly good but at times let Wanderers in. Intercepted a threatening ball by Clisby.

Daniel Bowles - 7

After a long haul on the side, Bowles has looked to come back strong

Connor O’Toole - 6

Couldn’t contain Sotirio in the first half hour, in which it tested his capabilities. Managed to close down on Wanderers in the second half.

Joe Caletti - 6

The youngster didn’t have a bad game, and was able to keep the hosts from pegging a goal back.

Nicholas D’Agostino - 8

Great skill on the ball, and was good at digging the ball back. Bright idea with a headed effort towards goal. Although the pass wasn’t as accurate, it still found Franjic who was able to double Roar’s advantage. Fired a shot from the top of the box in the 88th minute that only just flew over the bar.

Matt McKay - 6.5

Pressed and kept up the momentum for his side.

Peter Skapetis - 7

A good game for Skapetis as he his starting to shine, had a good chance from distance that hit the side-netting. He also delivered a good cross in to spark the build-up to the goal.

Massimo Maccarone - 7.5

Fantastic positioning to finish his half-volley past Janjetovic expertly.

Eric Bautheac - 8.5

Once again, the catalyst for Brisbane, streaming down the flank with ease and made runs into the danger zone. His header found Maccarone for the goal.

Substitutes

Ivan Franjic - 7

Brilliant goal and placement to double the lead, did well as the pass was not put in front of him. Controls, shifts and then dispatches a stunning, curled hit.

Mitchell Oxborrow - 5

Did well when he was subbed on and worked well with teammates to keep Wanderers out of the game.

Corey Gameiro – N/A

Didn’t do enough to warrant a fair rating.