But that's exactly what they got in two of the standout fixtures of the opening weekend, leaving coaches, players and fans either staring blankly or reacting angrily at rulings which lacked clarity.

Melbourne Victory were on the receiving end in their high-profile 2-1 derby loss to Melbourne City, when Bruno Fornaroli's innocuous tumble earned a VAR-awarded penalty for the winners.

It was a mirror image in Wellington, where the Phoenix benefited from a late penalty after Mitch Nichols was bundled down well off the ball. The subsequent spot kick sealed his team's 2-1 defeat of the Newcastle Jets.

And it reared its head in Brisbane's 1-1 draw with Central Coast on Sunday, Adam Taggart denied his equaliser after a lengthy review for off-side that went against the Roar striker in another marginal decision.

Jets coach Ernie Merrick supported the VAR's use at the World Cup but said it is apparent officials in Australasia will need to up their game quickly.

The most experienced coach in A-League history reckons the technology could throw up a landslide of unfair rulings and turn fans away.

"I would think the problem's not the VAR, it's the application of the VAR," he said.

"I suppose technically any foul in the box is a penalty but every corner kick there's a lot of pushing and shoving and if you stay on your feet, nothing happens.

"If you fall over like Fornaroli, you get something."

Merrick suggested only the referee, not a VAR official, should decide if an incident is worth referring.

He also said there should be a time limit employed, so referees can't go several minutes back for a review, as happened with Nichols.

"Do we go all the way back to the toss of the coin?" he said.

Roar coach John Aloisi and his Mariners counterpart both agreed that the system needed work, pointing to the inconsistencies in its administration and apparent overuse in a second half littered with referrals.

One heartening aspect to the opening round was the pluck of the underdogs, with both of last year's grand finalists undone.

Perenial strugglers Wellington showcased a much-needed fighting attitude while an injury-hit City have early bragging rights against their vaunted cross-Melbourne rivals.

And Adelaide contained the Sydney FC juggernaut with a tidy display in a 1-1 draw to open the season.

The Tony Popovic era at Perth Glory was denied a winning start after Western Sydney came from behind to secure a 1-1 draw at nib Stadium.

Andy Keogh put Glory ahead in the 26th minute but Wanderers attacker Roly Bonevacia scored the equaliser in the 65th minute.

Australian Associated Press