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Not much went right for the Perth Glory at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday – but their captain Jacob Burns would have been forgiven for feeling truly jinxed.
In an embarrassing gaffe, Burns was handed the Joe Marston Medal as the A-League grand final’s best player 90 minutes after it was initially given to Roar playmaker Thomas Broich following the Glory’s controversial 2-1 loss to defending champions Brisbane.
Broich did set up Besart Berisha’s 84th-minute goal that locked up the scores at 1-1 before the Roar scored the stoppage-time match-winner off a dubious foul to ensure they became the first A-League team to win back-to-back titles.
However, eyebrows were raised when Broich and not the workaholic Burns was called to receive the best-on-ground award at the post-match ceremony.
Suspicions were confirmed when red faced A-League boss Lyall Gorman admitted an “administrative error” had led to Broich and not Burns being handed the medal.
Quite simply, ground announcer Simon Hill heard the winner’s name incorrectly and handed the medal to Broich during the post-match ceremony.
“It was just a breakdown in communication between the judging panel and the announcer – it was one of those unfortunate incidents,” Gorman said.
Instead of receiving the medal in front of the packed grand final crowd, Burns was forced to accept the honour at the post-match press conference in the bowels of Suncorp Stadium.
“Unfortunately there has been an administrative error with the awarding of the Joe Marston Medal,” Gorman said.
“We apologise to the Roar, Thomas Broich and Perth Glory but most of all to Jacob Burns.
“At least we tried to rectify it.”
Burns and Glory coach Ian Ferguson tried to be diplomatic about the howler but triumphant mentor Ange Postecoglou didn’t hold back.
“Seriously you just have to count the votes and come to a conclusion,” he said,
“It’s disappointing. It’s not fair on anyone. You shouldn’t get that wrong as far as I am concerned.”
Broich appeared to take offence when asked if he was surprised to initially receive the award.
“Seriously? Why are you asking me this question?” the German playmaker said.
While appreciative of the belated honour, former Socceroo Burns had been confident that his evening would have ended on a much more brighter note.
Despite not registering a shot on goal all game, Perth looked set to upset Brisbane when they led in the dying minutes thanks to a 51st minute Ivan Franjic own goal.
“I kept looking at the clock thinking we’ve got this. I thought we had done enough,” Burns said.
“Then there was Berisha’s header (to equalise) and the final penalty – well I think that was the hardest thing to take.
“But you have to be humble, you’ve got to roll with the punches – however, I think we can all hold our heads high.”
Indeed the Glory can.
At one stage owner Tony Sage threatened to hand back the Glory licence after Perth freefalled from second to eighth with just one win in 12 games this season.
Ferguson had every reason to feel jittery.
However, on the back of an eight-game unbeaten run the Glory lived up to their name to come within an ace of a maiden A-League title.
“Our fans should be very proud of the way we have conducted ourselves this season,” Burns said.
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