Some will look at the shots stats 23-7 and think we were hopelessly outplayed, truth be told the real stat to look at is the shot accuracy, 29% -50% the chances the roar created were not as clear and gilt edged as ours, and were restricted to scoring from a penalty and a deflection….. A deflection I might add, made by a defender lunging to cut out a ball destined for a player I reckon was offside.

I’ll be honest and say I had cash on us to win, and the draw, so while I did hedge my bets it was clear Friday’s performance is one that yet again points to a vast improvement in mentality and organization.

We deserved more than they did, to be honest. I thought they were unimaginative in attack, simply lobbing balls into the box and hoping to pick up scraps and they did little to get in behind us. We on the other hand, fought back from a slightly dodgy penalty, scored against the run of play, and conceded the equalizer with a horrendous deflection from some desperate defending.

A proud point if ever there was one, and the hint of disappointment in the squad as they trudged off shows they have truly stepped beyond the “be hard to beat” motto from earlier in the season. The January transfer window seems to have seen us rid ourselves of some negativity and take on board some balls to back ourselves. Long may it continue.

Birraz 8/10 some great saves in the final stages. By his own admission should have done more with the penalty….. Nah, screw that, he was excellent and any striker worth their money shouldn’t have given him any chance anyway, it was a shit penalty…. So yeah, screw him he should have done better. Kept us in the match and in all honesty that point should be chalked up as one he earned for us. Looking better on crosses, and boy did the roar throw some in.

Hoffman solid as always he’s been one of our most consistent this year 7/10 played confidently at the back and move the ball forward well. Annoys the shit out of me that some still hate on him from his time with us years ago. For a bloke who’s now a pretty handy fullback he was playing way too far forward back then. Hope he’s here for a a few more seasons to come.

Mulloongaard 7/10 both these lads should drop a turd in a burning paper bag at the aloisi brothers’ door ring the bell and run. Surely pay back is need after the roars brains trust insulting game plan of chipping balls into the box all day. Boogullen dealt with the monotonous Brisbane attack with relative ease, and if not for a soft penalty and a deflection would have earned another clean sheet.

Cowburn 6/10 did well to keep his head screwed on straight after the penalty, a soft call, but a correct one IMO. Hopefully he learns from it….. Either to not let the quick blokes get a shoulder inside him, or to hit the ground quicker than a striker who gets a shoulder inside him. Bloke should buy Ando a few beers for magically producing spare boots. Ando 10/10 made a pair of boots magically appear. What more can a kit-man do! Cowburn substituted by….

Jackson 6/10 did his job. Executed the game plan, demonstrated a keen understanding of what’s expected of him when representing Newcastle. Played his role within the team and buzzworded well, buzzworded effectively in attack linking well with his buzzword. That’s what Miller said anyway.

Poljak 7/10 workhorse on suncorp, a massive pitch and he had the roar midfield largely contained to hopefull balls into the box or passes pushed to men already tightly marked. Thankless task the DM role, just ask Yaya. I’d buy Mateo a birthday cake anyday. Substituted by….

Kanta 6/10 played 13 minutes got yet another yellow. Like Jackson, came on and buzzworded all over the place.

Stevie uG 8/10 like Nordstrand, Stevie uG is a glimpse of the quality we need. He’s strong on the ball, quick across the turf and plays his teammates into space intelligently. Our best midfield player we’ve had at the club since Vignaroli. Lock him up in fort scratchley till he signs on for 7 years.

Leonardo 5/10 looks slow in the last 25 minutes, many passes left wanting. Looked like he should have been dragged off after 70 minutes, but was left on the pitch to get 90minutes into his legs…. And show him that he’s not fully fit yet. Great on the ball, can dance the electric boogaloo with the pigskin, but passes worse than any of the Auckland Kings did.

Cooper 6/10 I know what I’m about to say may seem contradictory but he deserved his goal, and deserved to be hooked after 45. Present, without being highly effective. Substituted by….

Nordstrand 7/10 not the same impact from last week but that would be hard. Linked well when moving forward and again showed he has that touch of class we have been missing.

Alivodic 5/10 he really is the direct opposite of Andrey Arshavin. He works his backside off for the team, but has no end product. He needs to be tied to a chair and made to watch Nordstrands assist for Triffo’s 2nd vs City on loop for 90minutes so he gets to understand he value of an early ball and not trying to beat a bloke 5 times before crossing. Clearly he spent too much time with Carney. Love the bloke, but was frustrating.

triffo! 8/10 ice cool from the spot, and has really started working well, clearly enjoying playing with the Great Dane as opposed the great albino. I’m enjoying watching him drop a little deeper and hold the ball up and bring the midfield into the game with a close attention from the opposition. Love the fact he looks like he doesn’t give a shit, he’s clearly got the best poker face in the team.