HARBOURSPORT |
A-LEAGUE GRAND FINAL - CENTRAL COAST MARINERS v NEWCASTLE JETS Sydney Football Stadium, Sunday 24th February 2008. |
Photos by Michael Shillito |
Newcastle warm up |
Warm up time for the Mariners |
Pot Belly entertain the crowd pre-match |
Don't hold back, Is there anybody out there? |
The A-League trophy, the holy grail |
The giant Newcastle banner |
The players enter the arena |
Mariners' flags and streamers |
The National anthem |
The Squadron hold up their scarves |
Pre-match photo for the Jets |
The Mariners pose for their photo |
Kick off |
Song takes a corner |
Newcastle do the early front-running |
The Squadron in voice with their "Jets" chant |
Vukovic goal kick |
A mellee breaks out |
Durante looks for a lead |
Ante Covic makes a save |
D'Apuzzo throw-in |
A chance for the Mariners |
Joel Griffiths on the counter-attack |
But the shot goes into the wall |
Rolling the barrels at half-time |
Into the second half |
Playing his last game, Tony Vidmar makes a clearance |
Covic goal kick |
A chance for the Mariners goes wide |
A Mariner goes down |
Another corner for Song |
Tarik Elrich makes a throw-in |
The Jets score |
The fans celebrate |
So do the players |
The Mariners go close to an instant equaliser |
Gumprecht checks in for the Mariners |
An impressive crowd of over 36,000 takes in the action |
The Mariners create another chance |
Tempers become frayed during a tight contest |
The Marinators wait and hope for an equaliser |
Another shot goes just wide |
Denni checks in for the Jets |
Gumprecht gets within scoring range |
One last throw of the dice for the Mariners |
The Mariners appeal in vain for a penalty |
Tempers boil over after Vukovic is red-carded |
And it's all over, 1-0 to the Jets |
The Mariners slump to the ground in dispair |
While the joy of victory goes to Newcastle |
The agony and the ecstacy |
The Newcastle supporters celebrate |
The Jets players acknowledge their fans |
It's all too much for the Mariners fans, many of whom have gone |
While the Jets fans stay and celebrate |
Durante wins the Marston Medal |
Mariners' captain Alex Wilkinson speaks |
Tony Vidmar announces his retirement |
The Jets fans anticipate the presentation |
Jade North speaks to the crowd |
Here it is! |
The Jets receive the trophy |
Off on a lap of honour |
Basking in Newcastle football's finest hour |