The Phoenix veteran's strike from the centre circle in the second minute set the tone for a hard-fought 2-1 win over Newcastle Jets on Saturday afternoon.
Western Sydney will be without Alen Stajcic for their next fixture against Macarthur Bulls on New Year's Day after the Wanderers coach was sent down the tunnel late in his team's 3-2 win over Adelaide United.
Adelaide led 2-0 at a sold-out Coopers Stadium before the Wanderers mounted a dramatic comeback to win 3-2 and end the Reds' unbeaten start to the 2024-25 season.
The Adelaide United head coach explained why the 19-year-old was left out of his matchday squad ahead of Friday night's clash with Western Sydney Wanderers.