The Roar's A-League Men tips and predictions: Round 26 - the jostle for finals positions is on in earnest
Here is the way the Roar expert panel sees all the action unfolding across the final weekend of play prior to the semi-finals.
Cellar-dwellers Wellington have capitalised on two mix-ups and an undermanned defence to shock second-placed Newcastle 3-2 in their A-League match at McDonald Jones Stadium.
The Jets applied the early pressure on Saturday but were down 2-0 at halftime in the round-17 game after two forgettable moments for returning goalkeeper Jack Duncan.
Duncan, back from a foot injury, was a late replacement in the starting side after Glen Moss hurt his hip in the warm-up.
The 24-year-old was left red-faced in the 28th minute when misreading a ball in from Serbian midfielder Matija Ljujic.
The Phoenix’s Michael McGlinchey made a run into the box and Duncan was left wrong-footed for Ljujic to score.
Former Jet Daniel Mullen scored in the 36th with a header off a Matthew Ridenton corner, while Duncan was blocked by his own defender.
Newcastle pulled one back in the 48th minute when Patricio Rodriguez’s back-heel put Daniel Georgievski into space before he found an unmarked Andrew Nabbout for the finish.
However, with Jets centre-back and skipper Nigel Boogaard off the pitch for treatment to a head gash, the Phoenix were two ahead again in the 58th minute when Roy Krishna scored off a Nathan Burns cutback.
Dimi Petratos scored from the spot in the 86th after substitute Angus Thurgate was fouled to give the hosts hope. Referee Jarred Gillett reviewed the penalty call and Marco Rossi was shown to commit the slightest of shirt tugs.
There was injury-time drama when Thurgate went down in the box after contact with Andrew Durante but Gillett waved away penalty calls before the VAR stuck with the on-field decision.
The Jets, going for a club record fifth-consecutive home win, will retain second on 33 points. The Phoenix move to 14 but remain last.
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Here is the way the Roar expert panel sees all the action unfolding across the final weekend of play prior to the semi-finals.
Even though St.Pauli ultimately lost a high-scoring affair, Jackson Irvine was a standout, as well as scoring a late goal.
Mathew Leckie played a pivotal part in Melbourne City claiming an 8-nil win; playing a role in several of his team's goals.
The loser of the Sydney Derby will be under immense pressure entering the final three matches of the season.
A good performance from Michael Ruhs, scoring twice to beat Macarthur and doubling his season goal tally in the process.
Phillip Cancar’s rather comical and momentarily delayed dive in the 36th minute of Newcastle Jets 3-1 win over Sydney FC on Sunday was a…