What defence?
Both teams were very suspect in the defensive third, with the Western Sydney Wanderers’ defence culpable for all three goals. Brendan Hamill looked nervous under pressure, no more so than when his attempted backpass nine minutes into the game fell straight to the grateful Maclaren. These examples of woeful defending were only exemplified from the two corners from which Brisbane scored, with the Wanderes defence at sea on both occasions. Goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne looked to be lacking confidence as well, failing to come and assert himself from crosses, a worrying sign after the dominant days of Ante Covic.
The Roar’s defence improved greatly in the second half. With a bit less luck it may well have been 3-3 at half time, with Wanderers new boy Piovacarri wasting glories opportunities along with Nikolai Topor-Stanely. Midfielder Mitch Nichols managed to score a well taken goal against his former team but it proved to not be enough. Michael Theo was imperious in goals, creating a stark contrast to his opposite number Redmayne.
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