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.