- Riley McGree scores Puskas contender
Finals football returned to Newcastle in 2017/18 after ten years in the wilderness.
A packed Hunter Stadium did not expect to leave the stadium having witnessed one of the best goals ever seen in the A-League.
With a chance to host a Grand Final for the first time in their history up for grabs, Riley McGree did the spectacular in scoring a scorpion goal which was admired all over the world.
The goal gave the Jets the edge in the game against Melbourne City: the side McGree would then go on to sign for.
McGree’s goal was shortlisted for the FIFA Puskas award and should have won according to some, but nonetheless gave A-League fans and Brenton Speed a moment to remember.
2. Danny Vukovic high five
A record 36,354 packed into the Sydney Football Stadium for the 2008 A-League Grand Final.
It remains the only time both the Central Coast Mariners and the Newcastle Jets have met in an A-League Grand Final.
Mark Bridge’s 64th minute goal won the match for Newcastle but this Grand Final is remembered for different reasons.
With only minutes remaining the Central Coast Mariners won a corner.
The in-swinging delivery struck the arm of Jets midfielder James Holland – which was obvious to everyone but referee Mark Shield.
The non-call caused outrage and led to the sending off of Mariners goalkeeper Danny Vukovic – ending the F3 derby Grand Final on a controversial note.
- James Robinson header vs Adelaide
With the score tied at one-all deep into stoppage time, Melbourne Victory needed a hero.
A win would have seen them earn the right to host the 2006/07 Grand Final (which they would go on to win) but in their way stood a gallant Adelaide United coached by John Kosmina.
The clock ticked over into stoppage time and Victory won a free kick just outside the box – which Kristian Sarkies whipped in.
At the back post stood substitute James Robinson whose looping header found the back of the net – sending Melbourne Victory to the Grand Final and creating one of the loudest roar’s heard in the A-League.
- Brisbane’s historic comeback
Believe it or not – there was a time when the Mariners were making Grand Finals for fun.
They just couldn’t win them.
The curse continued one fateful night at Suncorp Stadium when they met the Brisbane Roar.
After a goalless 90 minutes the match headed for extra time where the Mariners got going on the scoreboard.
Goals from Adam Kwasnik and Oliver Bozanic put the Mariners 2-0 in the 103rd minute and had Mariners fans on the verge of celebrations.
Little did they know the Brisbane Roar would hit back with goals from Henrique (117’) and Erik Paartalu (120’) which sent shockwaves around Australia and took the game to penalties.
Brisbane’s comeback clearly impacting the Mariners mentally – missing two penalties before the ‘slippery fish’ Henrique stepped up to win the Championship for Brisbane Roar.
5. Yorke and Corica combine in the inaugural Grand Final
To this day Dwight Yorke remains one of the league’s best foreign imports.
He was so good he was recalled back to the Premier League after an impressive season in the A-League which got the competition and Sydney FC off to a flyer.
The former Manchester United forward did what he did best and tee up Sydney FC captain Steve Corica whose side footed attempt rolled into the back of the net.
Corica’s goal the only one separating Sydney FC and the Central Coast Mariners in the Grand Final which saw the Sky Blues crowned as the A-League’s first champions.
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