A-League: Newcastle Jets pump Brisbane Roar 6-1

Matt McKay’s farewell party has started on a sour note, with Newcastle Jets running riot in disposing of a woeful Brisbane Roar at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night.

Brisbane Roar captain Matt McKay (left) and Newcastle’s Kaine Sheppard compete for the ball on Saturday night. Picture: Getty Images

Matt McKay deserves better in the twilight of his career than the embarrassing performance Brisbane Roar produced on yet another humiliating evening for the three-time A-League champions.

Brisbane skipper McKay’s farewell party started on a shocking note on Saturday night as the Roar crashed to a 6-1 loss to the Newcastle Jets at Suncorp Stadium.

Any hopes that Thursday’s announcement by McKay that he would retire at the end of the season would motivate the Roar were dashed, with the hosts exposed by the rampant Jets.

While the Roar were depleted and fielded a host of youngsters, the manner in which the team crumbled in the second half was unacceptable in front of 7985 loyal fans.

Brisbane Roar captain Matt McKay (left) and Newcastle’s Kaine Sheppard compete for the ball on Saturday night. Picture: Getty Images

The margin of defeat was the equal biggest in the Roar’s A-League history, following the 5-0 thrashing they copped from Melbourne Victory earlier this season.

Former Brisbane youth team player Joey Champness and Irish striker Roy O’Donovan each scored twice for the visitors, with ex-Roar star Dimitri Petratos and substitute Kwabena Appiah also finding the back of the net for the Jets.

Brisbane’s only moment of joy came four minutes after half-time when youngster Zach Duncan scored his first A-League goal to reduce Newcastle’s lead to 2-1.

But it was nothing more false hope, with the Jets quickly regrouping to ruthlessly finish off the job they started in the first half.

McKay still has a chance to end his decorated career on a winning note when Brisbane host finals-bound Adelaide United at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday.

But based on the evidence of his side’s performance against the Jets, McKay’s hopes of a closing victory are forlorn.

Despite his side’s woeful performance, interim Roar coach Darren Davies was reluctant to criticise his players.

Newcastle Jets striker Roy O’Donovan celebrates scoring against the Roar. Picture: Getty Images

“Those young boys out there are giving their all … they’re hurting.” Davies said.

“I’ll stick up for them … and I urge the supporters to do the same. As a club we need to move forward.

“If you’re asking me about Matt McKay in isolation, it doesn’t matter what happened tonight, it doesn’t matter what happens Thursday, he’s a champion.

“What he’s achieved in the game, nobody will ever take away from. He should be remembered for that.”

Jets coach Ernie Merrick sympathised with Davies.

“Darren Davies had a tough job tonight,” Merrick said.

“He’s got a lot of senior players out suspended or injured, so I think the scoreline doesn’t give a true picture of where the two clubs are at.

Roar captain Matt McKay appeals to the referee. Picture: AAP

“They’ve had a tough year, we’ve had a better year, we just haven’t scored goals, but tonight it came together really well.

“We played the sort of football we played regularly last year, and finished really well.”

In trying to find a positive in his side’s performance, Davies praised the performance of 18-year-old midfielder Duncan, who scored in just his third A-League appearance.

“It’s absolutely brilliant, the highlight of the night,” Davies said.

“He’s a young boy … and for him to score is obviously a dream come true.”

NEWCASTLE JETS 6 (Joey Champness 23m, 68m, Roy O’Donovan 27m, 55m, Dimitri Petratos 65m, KwabenaAppiah 90+2m) BRISBANE ROAR 1 (Zachary Duncan 49m) at Suncorp Stadium. Crowd: 7,985. Referee: Alex King.

Originally published as A-League: Newcastle Jets pump Brisbane Roar 6-1