2018-05-01
A stunning scorpion strike from Riley McGree has propelled the Jets into their second Grand Final in A-League history, as the home side downed Melbourne City on a dramatic night in Newcastle.
The Jets were down 1 - 0 for much of the night until McGree equalised, before hometown hero Jason Hoffman struck the match winner.
Newcastle charged out of the blocks and had a flurry of early chances. First Dimi Petratos fired wide, before Jason Hoffman headed a golden opportunity from point black range over the bar.
And just before the quarter-hour mark the visitors made them pay.
With their first attacking foray, City found space down the left through Dario Vidosic who curled a ball back to Bruno Fornaroli who scrambled the ball over the line in the midst of pressure from Jack Duncan and Nikolai Topor-Stanley.
Just minutes later it seemed things were about to go from bad to worse for the Jets when Daniel Arzani stumbled on the edge of the box after contact, but after close inspection the VAR penalty appeals were waived away.
There was no luck soon after for the Jets, when Jack Duncan was forced off the ground with injury and Glen Moss headed out onto the park.
However, it didn’t stop the Jets attacking endeavours.
Nigel Boogaard found himself unmarked following a Petratos corner in the 39th minute and headed straight at City keeper, Dean Bouzanis.
Then, late in stoppage time, Petratos went within centimetres of equalising when he thundered a dipping free-kick from 30 metres into the crossbar.
City headed to the break up by a goal, and when the sides returned it was the Jets who continued their attacking barrage.
In the 51st minute, Nigel Boogaard chipped a pass over the top of City’s defence to a charging Roy O’Donovan, but the Irishman could keep his shot down from a tight angle on the right.
However, finally the dam wall burst in the 57th minute as Ronny Vargas flicked the ball up to McGree, who kicked the ball scorpion-style - from behind his body - up and over Bouzanis and into the back of the net for one of the most incredible A-League goals of all time.
The Jets weren’t content with just one goal though, as they smelt blood in the water.
Ronny Vargas made way for Joey Champness as the Jets probed for the go-ahead goal, and the youngster made an immediate impact.
He burst down the left edge and squared inside, and just as it seemed City centre-back Osama Malik had it covered, he took a heavy touch.
The ball fell to Hoffman, who slotted the ball home and McDonald Jones Stadium erupted.
From there, the Jets weren’t going to be stopped in front of an immense crowd of 19,131, as they ground the visitors down to seal a 2-1 victory and march on to their second ever A-League Grand Final.
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