The Roar had the bulk of possession but struggled to convert it into opportunities, with Roy O'Donovan's point-blank miss midway through Friday night's second half proving costly.

Nabbout beat his man to a well-weighted Toivonen pass, flirting with a handball as he wrestled it past Roar goalkeeper Maxime Crocombe.

It was his first goal since rejoining the club after a stint in Japan, and also Victory's first this season from open play.

Nabbout's night didn't last much longer, the winger stretching for a pass and immediately grabbing at his hamstring and calling for assistance.

He attempted to play it down in a Fox Sports interview from the sidelines soon after.

But the injury is another concern for coach Marco Kurz given Robbie Kruse (hamstring) and Tim Hoogland (quad) are already out of action.

In front of 12,859 fans, the Roar had 59 per cent of the ball and enjoyed a similar ratio of territory in the first half.

But they were unable to force any great action from keeper Lawrence Thomas until the final few minutes of the stanza.

The loss leaves the new-look Brisbane winless after three rounds, following an opening-round draw in Perth and a second-round bye.

- AAP