Parramatta Power defeated Melbourne Knights by a convincing four-goal margin at Knights Stadium on Sunday evening, putting itself very much in Finals contention, and perhaps dealing the Knights' own Finals aspirations a fatal blow in the process.
Power's diminutive striker John Buonavoglio did most of the damage, scoring two, as well as setting up Pablo Cardozo with a single. Brad Maloney got Power's other goal.
Knights had managed to squander a second-minute penalty - Anthony Pelikan finding the outside of the post from the spot after he had been brought down by Brendan Renaud.
Parramatta coach Nick Theodorakopoulos however wasn't totally satisfied despite the comprehensive nature of the victory. "We were looking for the fifth (goal) so we could get above Adelaide City on goal-difference," he said at the after-match media conference.
"I think we've put in better performances," he said. "I wouldn't say we played badly - we certainly played better than (Knights), I just thought that we could have a done a little bit more."
Knights' player-coach Andrew Marth was harsh in his criticism of his players. "I think it's the (worst) performance I've (seen) from the Melbourne Knights in about thirteen years," he said. "It was totally embarassing. It was pathetic."
It could have started so brightly for Knights. Pelikan had been fouled in the penalty-area after a mazy run by Knights' best player Henry Fa'arodo had the Power defence unsettled. Fa'arodo had made his run to the bye-line, then played the ball inside to Pelikan near the penalty-spot. As the Knights' top scorer was in the cat of shooting, Renaud fouled him, and referee Mark Shield pointed to the spot without protest.
Pelikan picked himself up and took the kick, but sent it too far wide of Power goalkeeper Liam Reddy's right. The ball hit the outside of the post and rebounded away.
"When things are going bad (for us), they really go bad," said Marth. "(Pelikan) normally puts them away (and) people start dropping their heads, especially the young inexperienced players, and that's what we showed out there today."
Buonavoglio punished the Knights' miss within the quarter-hour, taking advantage of a defensive error by Marth to speed unchallenged towards Martin John in the Knights' goal and then shoot low under John's body for the opener.
Immediately after the goal, Theodorakopoulos was engaged in an earnest discussion with Power captain Alvin Ceccoli. "I sent out a message to play on the counter - on the break - and it seemed to have worked," he said later.
Just before the interval, Marth and his defensive partner Rodrigo Vargas contrived to show that sometimes two players' defensive attentions provides a less effective reurn than just one. Maloney took advantage of the confusion to wriggle clear and poke home a bobbling ball to double Power's lead.
Power doubled its lead again in a devastating three minute spell in the second half. Buonavoglio once again showed his speed in a solo run where he outfoxed Daniel Rocco and shot home from 15 metres. Cardozo had taken an excellent defence-diverting position to his left, and was always available if Buonavoglio felt the need to pass.
"Buonavoglio is hot and cold when it comes to his finishing - thank God tonight he was hot," said Theodorakopoulos.
Cardozo himself completed the scoring in the very next attack. Buonavoglio had made a run to the bye-line and swept past Vargas before sending a cut-back to Cardozo. Cardozo could hardly fail to score from his unmarked position on the penalty-spot.
Including the penalty that hit the post, Knights had just three on-target shots compared to Power's ten. Knights truly looked second-rate across the park in this game, and it will take an enormous effort to win its way into Finals action this year.
But there were some bright spots - Fa'arodo looked as if he was prepared to take on Power single-handed if needed, and even from his new position wide on the right which he occupied in the first half, he looked confident and capable.
Gustavo Biscayacu also looked lively after his introduction, but there were few other Knights' players willing to follow their lead.
"I think (Fa'arodo) had quite a good game," said Marth. "He worked very hard, tackled, worked back - I've got no complaints about (him). I thought (Vargas) did OK. I thought the rest (of the Knights' players) were below par, and some were atrocious."