Despite the A-League being just three games in, it felt just like old times for Perth Glory fans as they watched favourite son Bobby Despotovski score twice to take his club to an historic first win of the season, a hard fought 2-1 victory over Queensland Roar.
After seeing numerous chances go begging at either end in the first half, Despotovski showed why he has been at the top of the Australian game for so long with two cool second-half strikes, either side of an uncharacteristic miss from the penalty spot.
A similarly calm finish from Queensland substitute Warren Moon with 15 minutes to go gave Glory fans some nervy moments, but Steve McMahon's men were good enough to repel the increasingly desperate Queensland attacks to secure a much-needed three points.
Fielding an unchanged line-up after their worthy 2-2 draw in Melbourne last week, Perth started tentatively and nearly went behind when Roar striker Alex Brosque struck the post with a fierce left-foot shot after good work from strike partner Michael Baird.
With the Baird/Brosque partnership causing problems for the Glory defence, it was against the run of play that Glory nearly took the lead, defender Jamie Harnwell also striking the woodwork with a faint touch from a Simon Colosimo free kick.
Glory had goalkeeper Jason Petkovic to thank for sending the teams in level at half-time after Blair once again found himself in acres of space only to see his shot parried away.
After an equally fine save by Petkovic denied Baird moments after the break, Despotovski then compounded Queensland's frustration by taking Colosimo's through ball in his stride and planting a curling shot past Roar's debutante keeper Scott Higgins to open the scoring on 54 minutes.
A minute later, Despotovski should have doubled the advantage, when Queensland skipper Chad Gibson was deemed to have handled as he slid in for a tackle inside the area, only for the 34-year-old frontman to blast the resultant spot kick against the post.
With 18 minutes remaining, and with Queensland pressing hard for an equaliser, Despotovski made amends for his earlier penalty error with an expert finish from Jamie Coyne's deep cross from the right.
But as the Glory fans began to believe their side's first win of the season was secure, Moon made an instant impression after coming on, burying a shot at Petkovic's near post after a one-two with Brosque.
However, the goal proved to be a mere a consolation for the visitors, whilst the only real disappointment for Perth on the night was a crowd figure of just 8,509.