Former City and Denmark goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen labelled the decision to omit the 31-year-old a "huge gamble".

"He's [Joyce] trying to send a message out to the squad but it could backfire," Sorensen told Fox Sports.

Leading player agent John Grimaud however praised the decision.

"Younger players are hopefully watching and learning that no matter how talented you are if you don't present physically in the right shape you won't play," Grimaud tweeted.

City made a solid start but were undone in the 27th minute when a failure to react to a short corner by the Roar led to French winger Eric Bautheac whipping in a ball which Taggart nodded home from the near post.

The strike put the Roar into a lead for the first time this season.

Down at the break, City huffed and puffed in search of an equaliser with Kearyn Baccus and Lachlan Wales both performing well.

Wales came closest to restoring parity for the visitors when his run and shot in the 47th minute was deflected on to the post.

The absence of Fornaroli was often felt with many of City's moves breaking down due to a lack of presence up front.

City's frustrations were evident when captain Scott Jamieson was booked early in the second half following a physical altercation with Bautheac, who was also yellow-carded for the incident.

Some good build-up work involving Spanish import Alex Lopez and ex-Danish international Tobias Mikkelsen led to Taggart scoring to seal the game in the 66th minute.

Taggart's powerful right foot finish inside the box was his fifth strike in as many A-League matches for the Roar following his off-season move from Perth.

The Roar will be sweating on the fitness of Bautheac after he was substituted midway through the second half, still hobbling from a challenge in the first half which hurt his lower right leg.

Australian under-23 international Stefan Mauk was also overlooked for the match after failing to pull up fit from training on his injured groin.

The Roar travel to in-form Adelaide next weekend while City host Newcastle.

AAP