BRISBANE Roar sent a warning to their opponents in the Westfield W-League semi-finals with a ruthless 6-0 victory over Newcastle Jets.
Roar forward Tameka Butt picked up a hat-trick with skipper Clare Polkinghorne, Joanne Burgess and Lana Harch also getting on the scoresheet in a dominant display by the Queenslanders.
The win secures third place for Roar and sets up a tantalising clash with Central Coast Mariners in next week's semi-finals, while the Jets end a disappointing campaign finishing in last place without a win all season.
Roar flexed their muscles from the opening whistle with Polkinghorne poking in a corner at the near post in just the second minute of play.
The visitors were showing too much pace with Burgess finding plenty of space down the right wing and it was her inroads that led to the next two goals, almost in identical fashion. She raced down the flank before crossing to Butt in the box who slotted in the 19th and 26th minute to give Roar a commanding 3-0 lead at half-time.
Newcastle made some tactical changes to start the second half with Madeline Searl coming on for Hannah Brewer at left back to counter Burgess' runs while international Stacey Day was pushed into an attacking midfielder role. The switches had some effect as Day and skipper Hayley Crawford sent long-range efforts over the Brisbane goal.
But just as it looked the home side might claw their way back into the match Butt picked up her third goal in the 66th minute after good lead-up work through the midfield.
Newcastle's best chance fell to Caitlin Jarvie in the 70th minute after a lovely through ball from Crawford put her one-on-one with Roar keeper Casey Dumont. But the Roar skipper did well to smother the ball.
Down the other end Newcastle custodian Alison Logue was getting a workout producing a number of fine saves to keep her side in the match. But she was unable to deny Burgess and Harch firing in goals from inside the penalty area as Brisbane confirmed their dominance with an impressive 6-0 drubbing.
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