Sydney FC's A-League winning streak has come to an end after a heated, dramatic and - at times - downright confusing 1-1 draw with Brisbane Roar at Suncorp Stadium.
The home side played in the novelty strip to channel rugby league's famous interstate rivalry and the controversy it generated did well to rival the 13-man code in a contest Sydney should have put to bed after a slew of first-half chances
Roar defender Jade North was lucky to remain on the field after a last-man challenge on Alex Brosque with the goal, while Sydney's Rhyan Grant was at the centre of two bouts of calamity, including a 'phantom' yellow card that most thought resulted in a booking.
When he was carded in the second half for a challenge on Jamie McClaren, most expected referee Alan Milliner to produce the red, but Grant stayed on the field, despite the protests of Brisbane players and their coach John Aloisi.
Graham Arnold may have played down the Origin overtones around the promotion of the match but Josh Brillante came to the party. Queenslanders tend to go particularly well at Suncorp Stadium in the league version and Brillante was no different, even clad in Sky Blue.
With Sydney over-running a messy Roar defence, Brillante was on hand to pounce from one of the frequent mix-ups that had the home team on the back foot for almost the entirety of the first half.
Jack Hingert's error, compounded by the ricochet from Luke De Vere's sliding tackle, put it on a plate for the Bundaberg boy, who smashed home a superb strike from 20m to give Sydney the 1-0 lead on 13 minutes. The Roar were too cute by half and paid dearly.
It should really have been the start of a massacre. Seven minutes later, Sydney's relentless press was creating more chances. Filip Holosko had open space inside the box and should have doubled the lead, while Bobo's shot 17 minutes later beat Michael Theo but sailed just wide of the far post.
Brisbane's backline was firmly in the midst of an excellent Mannequin Challenge and they almost conceded again when North put it on a plate for Brosque with another sloppy error. The Sydney veteran had all the time in the world with only the keeper to beat but pulled the trigger early, with Theo again doing enough to avert disaster.
Somehow, the Roar ended the half right back in contention. They could have easily trailed 4-0 if Sydney's finishes had more finesse, but a brilliant goal on the tight angle from Thomas Kristensen on 40 minutes levelled the scores at 1-1.
Arnold no doubt had some choice words for his men at halftime and certainly muttered a few after North's foul on Brosque in the 52nd minute. With just the keeper to beat, North dragged his man down from behind and could count himself fortunate to see yellow, not red.
The deadlock stood firm as both sides traded chances. Theo was standing tall in the Roar box as Sydney tried to regain the ascendancy, before Matt McKay found himself roaming on the break before sending his shot soaring safely over the bar.
Socceroo Jamie McClaren entered the fray after the break and was set free before being taken down by Grant in an incident that sent the match into a whirl of confusion. Roar players, as well as both coaches and TV commentators, were convinced it was his second offence after the earlier tackle on Broich.
But while Milliner took the card out of his pocket the first time around, Grant was never booked, with the official appearing to change his mind - probably correctly - after seeing a replay of the challenge on the big screen. Already near boiling point, the contest was now a powder keg.
Even at the death, Sydney had the chance to steal the match. Bernie Ibini had a one-on-one with Theo in stoppage time but the Roar stopper was good enough to deny the visitors, ensuring shared points in another memorable clash between these two sides.
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