Murdocca backing bad boy Berisha

Berisha - back in the side against Central Coast Mariners for Saturday's 2-0 win after serving a one-game ban after his post-game meltdown against Sydney FC last month - lost his composure again on the whistle in Gosford when he clashed with his own team-mate, James Meyer.

Berisha, who took his tally to 12 for the season with Brisbane's second goal, had to be restrained by team-mates as he squared up to Meyer in a heated aftermath to the match.

But Murdocca told The World Game: "I'm not too sure what it was all about ... it wasn't anything nasty and we have just let it go.

"Bessie's showing the sort of passion that a lot of the players in our team have to start showing soon also.

"He's leading the way ... he's a great example of how the game should be played and we love having him in our team.

"In truth, we fight all the time at training. There are always disagreements - that's the way it goes when you are competitive but you get over it and get on with it. That's how we operate.

"What happened after the game against the Mariners was very similar to that."

Murdocca believes Berisha is handing out lessons in desire and commitment, adding: "On a personal level, he has shown me maybe how to change a bit and show more passion as player - it's a good thing what’s he doing.

"If we all show that we can go very far. If you're not aggressive and competitive you won't win anything in his league ... you have to show passion and sometimes that's what gets you over the line in games.

"I'm really good friends with Bessie ... sometimes his emotions get heated. That's the way he is. He's an interesting character - really unique in many ways."

A bare-chested Berisha was roundly condemned when he challenged Sydney's Dutch enforcer Pascal Bosschaart to a post-game altercation in the tunnel at Suncorp Stadium, but Murdocca believes he is misunderstood, claiming he's a throw back to a past era of sporting gladiators.

"In many ways, he's one those characters that existed more in the old days. Sport has changed a lot in terms of not stepping out of line and watching what you say.

"That's deterred players like him a little, and they have quietened down a lot. But Bessie likes to show who he is and we love that about him.

"He's one of our most important players and we don't want to be upset and we don't want to sacrifice him … we need him.

"We struggled without him last week in losing at home to Newcastle Jets and the more games he plays the better for us."

Berisha is coming off contract at season's end and Murdocca believes he should be signed up again quickly.

"He's one we need to keep - he's a fantastic player."

Murdocca believes the Roar of old has risen up ahead of next Sunday's trip to Wellington Phoenix with second spot on the line, adding: "No matter what happens we've always believed we're one of the best in the league and the result against the Mariners, even though they were missing a few players, has just underlined that.

"There was a lot riding on the game and psychologically it's done us a lot of good."

Murdocca admits that top spot is likely to be out of reach with third-placed Roar eight points adrift still of Central Coast, having played a game more, with seven rounds left.

"When you want results to go against another team to catch them you shouldn't be in that position," he added.

"Top spot is probably beyond us but second spot and two chances in the finals is what we are certainly aiming for. We've been unfortunate this year with injuries, like the one which robbed us of Thomas Broich.

"But now he's back, we are starting to get back to the way we used to play. Whatever happens we're going to be a very dangerous proposition come finals time.

"It would be immense for us to host the grand final at Suncorp Stadium again."