So at the risk of being the unpopular judge, I'm not going to read too much into any A-League results from this weekend, nor last.

Perth have first sewn up, Sydney second.

Melbourne Victory are finishing third.

Adelaide United travel to Brisbane on Anzac Day needing to win to confirm fourth spot and a home final, and they should do that comfortably.

That would leave Melbourne City in the position of choosing whether they fancy going flat out against the Central Coast Mariners to try and leapfrog Wellington Phoenix for the privilege of an away semi-final in Adelaide, or rest a few, play within themselves and accept the punishment of staying put to play Victory in a derby on what is essentially a shared home ground.

I know what I would do.

Wellington in turn then have two days to determine what sort of side they put out at Perth, who can approach the game with complete freedom.

It may well be that the status quo is maintained but, as I remind you every season, the staggered last round invites if not manipulation, then certainly the massaging of results.

The two games that really mattered last weekend - Adelaide versus Melbourne Victory and Wellington against Melbourne City - were standouts for intensity because there were possibilities and a fair bit at stake, and that's why I'm not going to get carried away with other results in round 26.

And, yes dear reader, I'm referring specifically to the Newcastle Jets' 6-1 rout of a hapless, helpless Brisbane Roar.

Excellent result, some very creditable performances from younger players, but surely we have to add a healthy dash of perspective?

Their opponents on Saturday night at Suncorp Stadium were essentially an injury and suspension-riddled shell of the worst Brisbane side in A-League history.

Unlike the Jets, who gave their younger players a start within a framework of senior players, Brisbane fielded almost a youth team with the permitted quota of over-age players.

Lambs to the slaughter? Pretty much, although there was a moment at 2-1 when you thought maybe they would give Newcastle a game.

In an end-to-end game with abundant space in midfield, there was an air of inevitability about what unfolded.

Matt McKay, Brisbane's champion, deserves a better send-off, but when one of the game's great competitors wears an air of resignation and acceptance, you know there is no sign of life.

Credit where credit is due.

Angus Thurgate, operating in central midfield rather than as a winger, showed us another string to his bow with a confident, creative performance.

And young Jack Simmons showed the composure and game sense that demanded selection in primary school representative teams when he was a bright-eyed Year 4 student.

Good signs from both, with tougher tests ahead no doubt.

Pat Langlois wasn't on the pitch for long but looked tidy enough, and in my mind Joey Champness and Ivan Vujica have played enough first-team football to shed the promising youngster tag.

My concern is that too much importance is placed on one result and cracks are thus papered over.

No solution has been miraculously discovered.

Surely nobody believes that a midfield including Ben Kantarovski, Nick Cowburn, Matt Ridenton and Ronny Vargas wouldn't have swamped that Brisbane line-up just as comprehensively? And possibly tightened up the number of chances the Roar did create at the other end?

And realistically, Nigel Boogaard, Daniel Georgievski and a fit Jason Hoffman play alongside Nikolai Topor-Stanley in your best back four, surely?

Ernie Merrick is no mug, and he chose the right game and the right moments to introduce his younger players, and quite rightly will consider whether or not a back-up game against Sydney FC is appropriate.

Sydney FC play in China on Tuesday night and may rotate a couple of players on Saturday.

They don't really need to get a result, but with finals looming they have competition for places.

Suffice to say, Sydney provides a much sterner and more realistic contest.

Their back four, with a clean sheet against Newcastle, will have conceded one goal per game over 27 rounds, and they have a flexible midfield of potentially Josh Brillante, Brandon O'Neill, Milos Ninkovic and Alex Brosque.

It's old boys' day at McDonald Jones Stadium, and hopefully a lot of familiar faces who have represented the city will be in attendance.

I'm expecting a very spirited and entertaining game against a favourite enemy.

Which brings me nicely to one, Alex Brosque, who if fit will play his final regular-season game in the A-League.

He has often been a thorn in Newcastle's side, and for me stands out as one of the best players in the A-League era.

Skilful, quick, more importantly very intelligent, and most importantly the ultimate team man.

Well played sir.