KEY POINTS:
It was a good news, bad news story for the Wellington Phoenix as the Newcastle Jets beat Melbourne Victory 3-1 away in the last of the round 17 matches.
The bad news was Joel Griffiths' two-goal haul, which put him back in front in the golden boot race,
pushing Phoenix sharpshooter Shane Smeltz back to second after Smeltz had taken the lead with his 25th minute equaliser in the 1-1 draw with Queensland Roar.
The good news is that Griffiths will be missing when the Jets host the Phoenix on December 30, after copping his fourth booking of the season at the Telstra Dome on Sunday. Key defender Andrew Durante will also miss the game at EnergyAustralia Stadium, as he too picked up his fourth yellow card.
The loss was bad news for struggling Melbourne, who have slipped to seventh on the points table - a place below the Phoenix.
Carlos Hernandez gave Melbourne the early lead at Telstra Stadium, but Denni had the visitors back to 1-1 before the break. Goals for Griffiths in the 54th and 76th minutes ensured the Jets would return home triumphant and firmly in third place in the playoff race.
The other disappointment for the home side was the crowd of 22,626 - well down on their season best 31,884 and their 26,128 average. Yet, allowing for their record - just three wins in 17 outings - there does not appear to be the same indecent haste to sack coach Ernie Merrick as was the case at Sydney FC and Perth Glory, who were quick to pull the trigger when results did not match expectations.
In the battle of the new coaches in Sydney, Perth's David Mitchell took the points decision from John Kosmina, who watched his side capitulate 4-2 in front of 12,402 fans - again well down on their season-high of 18,457. It was Sydney's first loss under Kosmina.
A rare Hyundai A-League hat-trick, scored between the 35th and 78th minutes by Perth's Billy Celeski, paved the way for Perth's win against the odds.
Sydney now face three testing away games, against leaders Central Coast in Saturday's catch-up, Adelaide United and the Phoenix as they attempt to keep flagging hopes alive.