- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Now that folks, is something special. The Newcastle Jets are into the A-League Grand Final after beating Melbourne City two goals to one.
After such an exciting contest it is hard to know where to start. The most obvious place might be just how poor the Jets have been in recent years and how far they have come in terms of improvement under the leadership of Ernie Merrick.
Warren Joyce has also moulded something special in his squad and had Melbourne’s little brother looking like a real threat for the title as the A-League entered the final fortnight of the competition.
This set up the makings of a terrific clash between two teams seeking representation in a Grand Final that many would have thought was beyond them at the beginning of the season.
Melbourne City took the lead in the 14th minute as Bruno Fornaroli applied pressure in the box from a cross and Nikolai Topor-Stanley nudged the ball into his own net.
The remainder of the half was tight, yet City did look in control.
It was obvious soon after the break that Ernie Merrick had made it clear to his team that they hadn’t come all the way to the last four with an attacking philosophy, only to ditch it in the biggest game of the season.
The Jets began to threaten and the goal that followed was astonishing. I don’t have the words. No one does. Riley McGree’s goal in the 57th minute defies logic and belief. Google it. There is no other way.
From that moment on, the Jets looked winners and when Jason Hoffman scored in the 75th minute, the fairytale was complete.
City battled on bravely but the two goals had taken the wind, hope and resolve from them and the Jets held on to claim a famous victory.
City will lament their early lead and the chances they had while the Jets will look to recuperate and prepare for an A-League Grand Final next week.
Who would have thought that would be the case at the start of the season?
Newcastle Jets 2
Melbourne City 1