Newcastle notes: Toon crash Oz 'party', classy moment cameras missed and pic Sunderland won't like
Newcastle United fans took over Melbourne ahead of their friendly against Tottenham Hotspur then roared them off at the MCG.
For all the criticism and negativity surrounding this trip, the questions asked of the Magpies were answered emphatically. Toon players should be on their holidays now but they did not moan about travelling 10,000 miles and proved that they can filter out any noise around them.
In a season that has contained ups and downs in almost equal measure, when the chips have been down, Eddie Howe has asked them to go out and answer critics in the best way possible - by winning. And while it may have been a penalty shoot out win with the club's fourth choice keeper Mark Gillespie pulling off the key save, they demonstrated a key characteristic to move forward.
READ MORE: Tottenham 1-1 Newcastle United: Unlikely heroes emerge as Magpies beat Spurs on penalties
READ MORE: Newcastle United player ratings vs Tottenham: Razor sharp youngster impresses and Bruno keeps going
Whatever people say about this game, the disappointment on the faces of the Spurs players said it all. This was meant to be their party and Newcastle's determined stars gatecrashed it.
Ange Postecoglou had been the centre of attention this week and rightly so. But when the call was made to take the penalties at the "Spurs end" you got the feeling the script was meant to be written for Tottenham.
Instead, Newcastle turned the tables and enjoyed a sweet victory. They have a psychological edge already going into next season against Spurs, friendly or not!
Unseen gesture by kitman Ray Thompson sums up love for travelling fans
As the game ended and just before the penalty shoot out Ray Thompson and two of his assistants started to jog over to the Newcastle end.
Armed with handfuls of training kit and shirts, some wondered what was going on as they headed to the Newcastle section. But with fans keen to get their hands on merchandise and queues spiralling out of control before the game, some got a gift they will treasure forever.
Castore and Newcastle will have concluded business after this trip and long serving Thommo helped make it a journey to remember. The clothing was thrown into the fans and some Aussie-based fans now have a piece of kit they may well end up framing!
Jason Tindall strikes again with trademark team picture
The Newcastle United number 2 is as meticulous as Howe himself and has freedom to express his ideas. It's all about the message. And the big message that everybody is on the same page with at Newcastle is togetherness and unity.
That's why Tindall was on the spot to coordinate a Sunderland-style team picture in front of fans. It was a moment Newcastle players wanted to give to the travelling masses to show their appreciation.
Despite the idea originally getting both barrels from Sunderland fans claiming "lack of respect" after the derby win, the intentions were misread. The team picture at the Stadium of Light wasn't a swipe at the Wearsiders, and Tindall underlined that to recreate the team pic in front of fans all over again.