Brisbane Roar 3 Melbourne City 1: Papadopoulos at the double as hosts finally win
The Roar had only collected three points from their opening six games but instantly doubled that tally with a 3-1 win at Suncorp Stadium, lifting them off the foot of the table.
In a repeat of last season's semi-final – which Melbourne won 1-0 – it was Brisbane who enjoyed the upper hand, Avraam Papadopoulos putting them ahead after five minutes.
The defender beat Eugene Galekovic to a second ball after Iacopo La Rocca had failed to clear a left-wing cross, leaving Papadopoulos to head into the unguarded net.
Melbourne missed a host of chances to level and were duly punished before the break as Eric Bautheac grabbed his first A-League goal from Massimo Maccarone's assist.
That maiden @ALeague goal @BautheacEric #FeelTheRoar pic.twitter.com/8gdVh4ZD0O
— Brisbane Roar (@brisbaneroar) November 17, 2017
Stefan Mauk halved Melbourne's deficit nine minutes after the restart after being given a free run on goal, the forward beating Jamie Young low down at his near post.
With 20 minutes to play Brisbane restored their two-goal advantage as more questionable defending presented Papadopoulos with his second.
Galekovic dropped a deep free-kick in the six-yard box and it eventually fell to Papadopoulos, who pounced to seal all three points.