Noah James was awarded player of the match after making several saves which kept the Jets in the game before Kosta, Clayton and Lachie Rose all scored to secure the win.
The Jets came out swinging in the first half, with Thomas Aquilina weaving his way through the Victory defence early on, eventually earning a corner for Newcastle. Ben Gibson also had a chance to open the scoring, as he found himself behind the Victory defence. He was able to get a shot off, but Brendan Hamill was able to get in the way and block his shot. The real story of the first half was Noah James, as he made several brilliant saves to deny Victory.
Noah denied Adama Traore from a tight angle, pushing the full-back’s shot away from goal. James also denied Santos, getting down quickly to his right to push the shot out for a throw-in. Noah James finished the half with five saves.
In the 34th minute, Wilmering swung a cross to the back post aimed towards Thomas Aquilina. Adama Traore jumped in between to head clear, but headed the ball into his own net. Unfortunately, Thomas Aquilina was judged to have influenced play from an offside position, and the goal was rescinded.
In the 42nd minute, Phil Cancar was withdrawn from the game due to injury, with Kota Mizunuma coming on to replace him. Halftime was blown soon after, the score 0-0. During the interval, Ben Gibson was subbed off for Lachie Rose.
Two minutes into the first half, Clayton Taylor was able to get in behind, before dragging his shot just wide of the post. Miranda almost made a massive blunder, with the Victory centre-back heading the ball just narrowly over his own crossbar. Eli Adams and Lachie Rose almost opened the scoring, as Adams got through the Melbourne defence before squaring the ball to Lachie Rose, who lifted the ball over Langerak into the back of the net. As he wheeled off to celebrate, the linesman raised his flag, and the goal was disallowed.
Victory began to pile on the pressure, as the Jets were forced back into their own half for extended periods of time as victory began to stamp their authority on the match. Lachlan Bayliss was brought off for Charles M’Mombwa in the 74th minute. In the 82nd minute, Lachlan Rose was able to latch onto a lofted pass over the top before being clattered by Mitch Langerak. The referee went to the VAR screen, and a penalty was awarded. Kosta stepped up and slotted the ball into the back of the net, sending Mitch Langerak the wrong way. 1-0 to the Jets.
Victory pushed forward seeking an equaliser, but it backfired for them as Charles M’Mombwa was able to win the ball high up the pitch before playing in Clayton Taylor, who lifted the ball over Langerak into the back of the net. 2-0. Again, Victory surged forward in search if a goal, which gave Kota Mizunuma the space to race in behind the defence, before finding Lachie Rose open in the box, who made no mistake from close range as he put the Jets 3-0.
Full-time was blown, and McDonald Jones Stadium erupted as they celebrated a brilliant 3-0 win against the Melbourne Victory. Local legend Noah James was awarded player of the match after a superb performance in just his second ever A-League game.
