Warning signs were evident at training all week but it seems nothing could have prepared coach Mike Mulvey for Brisbane Roar's shock 2-0 A-League loss to Central Coast Mariners at Suncorp Stadium.
Saving their worst for last, the minor premiers were overrun by a desperate Mariners outfit in the regular-season finale to ensure plenty of food for thought during their break over the first week of the finals.
Mulvey had warned that his side had put in several "sub par" training sessions ahead of the Mariners clash.
However, alarm bells would still have been ringing for Mulvey after a lacklustre Roar had their six-game unbeaten run snapped when ambushed by old foes Central Coast in front of a 14,218 crowd.
Denied second spot by Western Sydney's 3-2 win over Melbourne Heart earlier on Saturday, the Mariners still played with purpose to lock up third on the ladder and a home semi-final through first half goals to Nick Fitzgerald and Anthony Caceres.
In contrast, Brisbane played like they had trained all week, rarely getting out of first gear.
It's not all doom and gloom for two-time premiers the Roar - they finished 10 points clear of the Wanderers in first spot and have a full strength roster for the first time this season ahead of the playoffs.
