Kosmina said: “It was a good performance, and it shows was a difference a player or two can make.

“There’s no substitute for success, but as things worked out you wonder about a couple of opportunities (3-0 up against Central Coast and leading Melbourne 2-0] that would’ve given us five extra points."

Brosque slotted a curling finish past Ante Covic after 12 minutes, latching onto Stuart Musialik’s first-time ball to punish Newcastle for carelessly giving away possession in defence.

A terrific piece of interplay between Brosque and Bridge produced Sydney’s deserved 2-0 half-time advantage.

A Bridge flick-on, Brosque header, and a wall-pass between the pair put the number-14 free onto goal, where he sold Covic with a shimmy before delightfully chipping the ball home for his and his side’s second.

Mark Milligan’s own goal capped off their awful afternoon. Fyfe pinched possession from Antun Kovacic dwelling on the ball, and Milligan flung out his leg to block the centre, only to see it roll past a helplessly stranded Covic.

Sydney’s other rising star Grant, who Kosmina said played like “he’s been out there for 10 years”, floated another great ball into the box for an Aloisi header, which the marquee man saw tipped onto the crossbar by the visiting custodian.

The dominant performance was complete in the 85th minute when Bridge snared a goal in his best game of the year.

The Sky Blue’s two goal hero, Brosque summed it up after the match, saying “it shows what could’ve been” in a season that started and ended with much promise.