This week, Melbourne Victory showed they have what it takes to win the big games as they inflicted defeat on the Central Coast Mariners, while the revival of Brisbane Roar continued in Wellington. Sydney FC were another team to bounce back as they ended Perth's unbeaten run, and the rise of the Newcastle Jets is gaining momentum just as Melbourne Heart's fortunes appear to be dipping. Finally, Adelaide claimed victory to all but ensure Gold Coast pick up this season's wooden spoon.

GettyImagesGoals from Besart Berisha are leading Brisbane Roar back into contention

TOP TEAM

Brisbane Roar have now defeated the top two teams in the competition in as many weeks - and both away from Queensland. Brilliant finishes from Besart Berisha and Mitch Nichols gave the Roar a 2-0 win at Wellington's Cake Tin, as Ange Postecoglou's men cut the deficit with the Central Coast Mariners to just five points. It could be too much ground to make up in the race for the Premiers Plate, but Brisbane at the very least sounded a warning to the rest of the competition as the finals near.

FLOP TEAM

Melbourne Heart must get the nod following their rather listless display in Newcastle. The Heart have not won since December 29 and their slump continued with a 3-0 away loss. They do have a string of key players away on national team duties with the Australian Under-23 side, plus a few untimely injuries, but a club with title ambitions only a few months ago will still be disappointed by recent results. John van't Schip's decision to leave the A-League at the end of the season has, evidently, done little to spur the players on.

TOP PLAYER

Harry Kewell scored a superb goal for the Melbourne Victory to seal an important win over the league-leading Mariners. Kewell's impact in attack, alongside the likes of Archie Thompson and Carlos Hernandez, was certainly important in Melbourne's triumph, but the sight of the forward rushing back to defend a goal-kick in second-half injury time will perhaps give fans most cause for hope. The former Liverpool man was scathing in his assessment of team-mates last week, and after this performance one senses Kewell is desperate to make a stong finals push.

FLOP PLAYER

Perhaps harsh to pick out an individual in their team, but Gold Coast are now all but assured of last spot come season's end after their 11th loss of the season. Rookie goalkeeper Chris O'Connor was not helped by a leaky defence but will no doubt learn from the experience. Missing plenty of regular first-team players, the depth of Miron Bleiberg's squad was tested, but the National Youth League players drafted in were no match for Adelaide's attack. Gold Coast branded themselves a glamour club when entering the A-League, making this season's wooden spoon all the more difficult to swallow.

TOP COACH

Gary van Egmond earns back-to-back honours through Newcastle's utter domination of the Heart on Saturday evening. The Jets controlled the match throughout, and leapfrogged the Heart into fifth position with their third consecutive victory. Newcastle appeared sharper in the middle of the pitch than their Melbourne counterparts, while the combinations between Jeremy Brockie, Ryan Griffiths and Francis Jeffers are now taking real shape. Van Egmond's substitutions also made the right impact with former Leeds United front-man Michael Bridges entering the fray to net his first goal of the season.

GettyImagesMiron Bleiberg: Feels he was Robbed of his dignity by Gold Coast United owner

FLOP COACH

John van't Schip's comments after the Heart's thrashing at the hands of the Jets were telling. The Dutchman offering this assessment of his side's performance: "They tried hard but everybody was doing their own thing, especially when it went to 2-0 - running with the ball, playing balls stupidly into the feet of Newcastle, and there wasn't really any structure." Fair play. But surely structure and team focus is as much the responsibility of the coach as it is for the players on the pitch.

GOAL OF THE WEEK

Plenty of great strikes to choose from this week, but Besart Berisha's first-time finish to open the scoring for Brisbane was supreme. The league's top marksman volleyed across his body brilliantly to start the win. Berisha's team-mate Mitch Nichols and the Victory's Carlos Hernandez also deserve a mention.

SAVE OF THE WEEK

Michael Theoklitos capped a superb fortnight for the defending champions with his two reflex saves when up against Wellington striker Paul Ifill to keep Brisbane in front.