Super-substitute Ryan Edmondson shone brightly for the Central Coast Mariners, scoring two crucial late goals in their 3-1 extra-time victory over Melbourne Victory in the 2023/24 A-League Men grand final on Saturday night.
Jason Geria's 50th-minute goal had given Victory the lead, making the Mariners' title hopes seem all but over as the fourth official signaled added time at Gosford’s Industree Group Stadium on Saturday.
However, English striker Edmondson dramatically equalized in the 91st minute, pushing the match into extra time.
In extra time, the Mariners seized control, with teenager Miguel Di Pizio scoring seven minutes in, followed by another late goal from Edmondson to secure the win.
This victory capped a phenomenal season for the Mariners, who became the first Australian team to achieve a treble by adding the championship to their A-League Men premiership and AFC Cup titles won earlier this month.
Edmondson's last-minute heroics earned him the Joe Marston Medal as the player of the match, extending Victory’s six-year wait for the competition’s most-coveted prize.
Victory boss Tony Popovic suffered his fifth defeat in five attempts as a coach in a grand final.
After a tense first half, during which Alou Kuol was substituted for Edmondson following a head clash, Victory took the lead through Geria shortly after the break.
Daniel Arzani maneuvered past a challenge on the edge of the Mariners’ box to find Jordi Valadon. Valadon flicked the ball to Geria, who thumped it beyond Danny Vukovic’s reach into the top corner.
Victory’s supporters erupted, and the Mariners began to open up as they pushed forward for an equalizer. Each time they did, Victory was ready to counter, and they nearly doubled their lead when Arzani broke upfield but overcooked his pass to an onrushing Bruno Fornaroli.
As the 90th minute approached, the Mariners seemed out of ideas—until Edmondson burst into the box. Receiving a pass from Josh Nisbet, the striker fired past Victory goalkeeper Paul Izzo, sending the game into extra time.
The Mariners gained momentum, while Victory faltered, with Fornaroli and Arzani watching from the bench. Nisbet played a crucial role, slipping a ball down the left flank to Ronald Barcellos. The Brazilian drew back from the byline and found 18-year-old Di Pizio, who calmly finished past Izzo.
Victory spent the entire second half of extra time camped in the Mariners’ half but failed to equalize. The Mariners made one final surge upfield, with Edmondson adding his second goal, sending the record home crowd of 21,379 into a frenzy.
