Football: Central Coast Mariners beat Melbourne Victory in extra time to claim back-to-back A-League titles

Central Coast Mariners have stormed back to beat Melbourne Victory 3-1 in a dramatic A-League Grand Final to claim back-to-back titles and become the first Australian team to seal a historic treble.  

The club added the A-League championship to the premiership title and AFC Cup.  

Melbourne Victory looked to be on their way to their first A-League Championship since 2018, after Jason Geria gave them a 50th-minute lead, with a stunning effort from just outside the box. 

With the Mariners struggling to register shots on goal, their bid for a second consecutive title seemed to be over.  

As the game ticked into added time, English striker Edmondson suddenly scored a 91st-minute equaliser to send the game to extra time and the home crowd of over 21,000 into a frenzy.  

Over the extra 30 minutes, the Mariners were far more ruthless, with teenager Miguel Di Pizio hitting home seven minutes into overtime, before a late Edmondson finish polished off the comeback win.  

Di Pizio, 18, became the youngest Grand Final goalscorer in A-League history while Edmondson was awarded the Joe Marston Medal as the Player of the Match.   

"I still think I'm dreaming," said Edmondson. "Someone needs to wake me up, because what's just gone on in the past 120 minutes, I can't comprehend."   

Miguel Di Pizio celebrates scoring a goal.
Miguel Di Pizio celebrates scoring a goal. Photo credit: Getty Images

"All season, these boys have had a never-say-die attitude. It's gone from losing the first four games of the season to this.

"It goes to show the character of each and every one of us."  

Victory coach Tony Popovic has now lost five times in the Grand Final with three different clubs.

Meanwhile, Central Coast Mariners coach Mark Jackson has now won his fourth major trophy in just two seasons with the side.

"A lot of it is the mindset, that's what it is," he said. "We've got a fantastic group of players.

"Never write us off... once we scored, I knew we'd get another one."