Newcastle Jets had everything on the line against the Nix, needing a win to spark any realistic hope of a late surge towards the A-League finals, but David Williams doesn't strike anyone as the merciful type.

A phenomenal hat-trick to the former Melbourne Heart man, who now hits 12 goals for the season, alongside a clincher from Sarpreet Singh after Roy O'Donovan nicked one back, sent Wellington fans into shirtless ecstasy and a few travelling Jets supporters on a very long plane ride back to the Hunter.

BEST

Durante hits 27,000 

Is there a man more deserving of success than Andrew Durante? He's stuck it out so long, through thick and thin in Wellington, it's hardly imaginable that he could have played for Newcastle Jets over a decade ago.

It's a Kiwi career particularly admirable when you get the feeling he could have made it just about anywhere with his inspiring combination of mental and physical attributes. Now reaping the rewards in a successful Mark Rudan outfit, ticking his 27,000th A-League minute on the park throughout his career - over 450 hours, let that sink in for a while - is an incredible feat.

Williams hits double figures (and the top bin) 

He'd probably still be in Europe if it wasn't for the dubious financial management of his former Hungarian club, Haladas. But boy are New Zealand lucky that the former Melbourne Heart striker is back in the A-League, the self-proclaimed Socceroos hopeful is back in his pomp, and he's proving a point. 

Georgievski vs Fenton

This season has uncovered some magnificent fullbacks lurking in the A-League's undiscovered column, with Louis Fenton's performances this season up there alongside Matt Millar among the finest in the league.

While Daniel Georgievski was already a known quantity, in a tough season for Newcastle Jets he's risen to another level. He's now in contention for the outright finest fullback in the competition and easily pocketing Fenton until the Nix man departed injured was yet another sign of the former Macedonian international's outrageous quality.

WORST

Newcastle done and dusted?

In typical, straight-forward Merrick fashion, the coach admitted they could "possibly" cop a loss in their remaining five matches and still scrape into finals. But you get the feeling that Merrick's finals hopes are clutching at straws after a 4-1 thrashing at the hands of a club that, only weeks ago, they were hoping to usurp.

The real question is do the Jets deserve finals? It's hard to argue, distractions about Olyroos and such aside, that they're a more realistic contender than Melbourne City. Their only real hope now is that a Marco Kurz-troubled Adelaide United side self-combust...

Incredible attacking, calamitous defending

Funnily enough this was the exact point made by Nix superstar loanee Michal Kopczysnki prior to the match - the A-League has more attacking threat and beautiful goals than many European leagues, but it lacks a little defensive finesse, to put it lightly.

Not only did the Nix canter to a 4-1 win over the seventh-placed side more-or-less playing the same way they have all season, they could have shot themselves in the foot with Kurto bailing out a certain own-goal from Antony Golec minutes before Roy O'Donovan simply tapped it past Liberato Cacace's backside, with the Nix youngster facing the wrong way.

All this occurred in the midst of more than a few dubious decisions by Jets' defenders, who just didn't seem keen to press all night. 

Fenton's eye-watering injury

If you've ever whacked your shin a beauty on the corner of your bed...let's be honest, you've still got no clue what it feels like to be kicked full pelt by an angry Jet.

While yet to be confirmed, it appears Fenton - who as previously mentioned has been electric this season - may be out for the rest of the campaign with a broken foot. A horrible end to a brilliant campaign, and what it may mean for Wellington's Championship hopes remains to be seen.

Fingers and toes crossed for the Kiwi.