To end their decade-long drought, Central Coast Mariners beat Melbourne City 6-1 in Saturday’s grand final to win the 2022/23 A-League Men’s championship thanks to a Jason Cummings hattrick.
A stunning night of football was made even better by Jason Cummings’ opening goal in his final appearance for the Mariners in the 20th minute. Then, Sam Silvera doubled the lead with a stunning goal.
A goal up at half time, the youngest team in the league came out fired up in the second half. Nick Montgomery’s halftime message to his men worked out perfectly.Â
Two penalties were given to the Mariners 20 minutes into the second half. Jacob Farrell heavily influenced both penalties. Cummings became only the second man in the grand final to score a hat trick by taking both penalties.Â
‘Last dance, I don’t know what happened,’ Cummings said after the 6-1 win.Â
‘We have just beat the champions who caked the league. We have won 6-1. I’ve been here a year and a half, and the gaffer changed my life.Â
‘My career was spiraling out of control, but I love the coast; I’m lost for words. I’ve never experienced anything like it in my life. I’ve never had a manager believe in me like he has.” he saidÂ
Indian Super League is reportedly on Cummings’ football horizon as he departs from the A-League.
However, his gratitude to Montgomery and the Mariners for taking a gamble on him was not doubted.
“Everyone knows how much this club means to me,” Cummings said.
“I was at a stage in my career, Dundee let me go, and (Montgomery) gave me an opportunity, and the Mariners in the last year and a half has just been a dream come true.
“I need just to enjoy the moment now, go back with the boys (to Gosford) and enjoy it with my family and the fans, and then see what happens. I don’t know just yet.”
The icing on the cake for the night came from Beni Nkololo and Moresche in front of 26,500 fans at CommBank Stadium to seal the victory.
Feature Image Credit: Central Coast Mariners
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