Only in an F3 Derby, only with the Central Coast Mariners. If Alen Stajcic thought coaching one of the best women's football teams in the world was action-packed, he's clearly never sat through a rain-soaked Derby in the Hunter...

In a stuttering first half Newcastle were too strong for the Mariners but failed to capitalise on the scoresheet, Dimitri Petratos and Jair particularly misfiring offenders.

"We were attacking their defensive third regularly but were a bit unlucky," Ernie Merrick said at half-time. "We've got to be ruthless in this game, if we take a backwards step, they're going to hurt us."

Ernie wanted reckless but all hell broke loose. Jordan Murray struck first to send the previously dominant Jets into a tailspin then Jem Karacan and Connor Pain sealed the deal, but not before two identical penalties (and two identical penalty saves), brawls, VAR backfires...or, in other words just another F3 Derby, took place.

WORST 

VAR! What is it good for? (Absolutely nothing!)

If you've ever heard Simon Hill speak, you probably already know the problem with VAR. It's not that the technology is wrong per se, in fact, used in the right way it could be a brilliant addition to the game.

But rulings are subjective and the referee's reputation is inevitably at stake. So if the VAR is either unable, too subjective or merely too scared to overrule a refereeing decision, all it does is slow the match down. 

Whether or not the challenge on Roy O'Donovan should have been a penalty (it looked soft and started outside the box) the resulting debacle from the two resulting penalties is yet another smack on the nose for an already dogged addition to the league. 

If you're a rusted-on VAR convert though, good news. The final frontiers - the Women's World Cup and English Premier League - are set to adopt the technology this year, so there'll be no escaping it soon enough.

Live streaming NPL, anyone?

WORST

Sam Graham 

The Sheffield United loanee looked generally out of his depth at A-League level, which is saying something considering twice he managed to save the Mariners by simply standing or laying in the right position. 

Ultimately, however, he needs time to develop to his confidence. It can't be easy copping 8-2 scorelines in your first top-tier season...

WORST

Central Coast break another (unwanted) record

They may have won a five goal thriller, but first they offered the first-half in seven seasons in which they couldn't register a shot. In truth, they barely came close.

In addition to their few forays near the Jets' defensive area, to make matters worse they practically exhausted Jordan Murray from the get-go by forcing him to launch a one-man offensive press. 

Not that he looked too spent after a few half-time oranges...

BEST

Jordan Maradona Murray

An absolutely phenomenal first-time finish from the formerly prolific NPL marksman opened the second half and, while we're at it, cemented his name among the best NPL recruits of the season. 

It was the flash in the pan a dreary, cavernous McDonald Jones Stadium needed to get rocking and it played a huge part in the Mariners' increased confidence throughout the second half.

On a personal level, however, Murray's shown he not only has a threatening aerial ability, a precocious work rate and a mature, disciplined tactical approach but he can slot one home on the strech from a tight angle as well (against no slouch in Glen Moss, the Kiwi has the second most saves in the league).

Mariners fans will just be hoping he doesn't get too good, or he'll be off to the old enemy like our next feature...

BEST

Mathew Maradona Millar

The single finest moment of a largely rough and tumble encounter came when Millar decided to go solo, feinting and dribbling past his future teammates before cutting back for Jem Karacan to eventually slot home.

Consolation for Ernie though, he'll have all that dynamism at his disposal next season.

BEST

Kennedy chaos in the box

How many times can a side shoot themselves and still survive? First Central Coast ship three equalising goals to give up their ninth lead of the season. If that result had have standed (or worse) surely the vultures would have been circling...

But then VAR takes Newcastle back to the spot, O'Donovan gets a second bite at the cherry, decides on the exact same perfect-goalie-height that was resoundingly rejected the last time and Kennedy pulls off the goods again!

Hard to tell if this one is a 'Best' for Kennedy or a 'Worst' for O'Donovan, but in the spirit of St. Patrick's Day tomorrow, we'll let this one through to the keeper.