Roar v CCM - Grand Final

[MrCelery]

From the top eschelons of euphoria, to the most empty gutless state of mind within a period of 10 mins. I dont think i have felt that much excitement at any single point of time when we scored those two goals. However in the back of my mind there was a small seed, like a tumourous growth, that thought as long as there is still time left on the clock we can still lose this.

I watched every second tick by in the second half of extra time, with each gone a sense of more confidence. However with 9 left to play my, and all our supporters worst fears eventuated. The growth in my mind had become larger, "we cant lose this can we?"

We were hanging on definsively, possession wasn't an option. Each player worked their arse off to foil Brisbanes forward movements. It was working.

As that Brisane prepared for the last corner, my negative thoughts provided forsight of a Brisbane goal. That was it, it was all over form there. We were never going to win in a shootout, not with our confidence belted.

I feel sick to imagine what state of mine the team and fans would have been in if we had pulled it off.

But a massive congratualtions must go out to all stakeholders of the club, fans, financiers, staff, sponsors and players. What a season it has been. It is seasons like this that make every bad one worth it.

Graham Arnold is building to something special. In all honesty i had little expectations for the season. I thought we would use this year as a rebuidling year, and really challenge for the title in seasons 7 and 8. I still believe this as true, and it will be our turn to win the double.

The players and club have an enormous year, it's time for us to repay them in years to come. We need to assist in expanding the popularity of the game in the region, build that community support to levels never seen before. I for one will be actively trying to expand the game and club i dearly love to as many people as possible - no matter their preference for sporting code.

It hurts to write and think about yesterday, but as i mentioned earlier the pain will be entirely worth it when we win the double in years to come.

Sums up my feelings exactly. At two - nil I thought: "Could the footballing gods be so cruel as to take it away from us now." The certain knowledge that it was not over until the final whistle, especially against this great Brisbane team, had me counting down each second.

What a cruel, wonderful game football is. That's three grand finals for me. Each one fantastic, but ultimately shattering for different reasons:

. The first ever Grand Final, a local derby against Sydney FC. We trounced them on the park but just couldn't score (sound familiar), only to fall to one moment of magic from Dwight 'Mr Bling' York and Steve Corica.
. Our second Grand Final, against bitter enemies the Scum. A tragic blunder from our marquee player Tony Vidmar, and an appalling missed penalty for handball, thanks to the blind officials.
. And now our third, a one-on-one between Ibini and the Roar goalkeeper, pulled up in the 90th minute for fulltime by Breeze (who had a fair game overall I have to say, until that moment). And a last gasp terrible defending for the Roar's 2nd goal in the last seconds.

I just hope the "Little Club That Could" doesn't become the "Little Club that Can't."

Despite the loss, it's been a wonderful year overall. While the crowds were down, and the turnout for the penultimate match in Gosford was a disgrace, the numbers that turned up in Brisbane was fantastic. Let's build on that positive for next year, in the knowledge that the Club is in very capable hands.

Already looking forward to Season 7 and the Asian Champions League!

 

[lewis27]

i think we need a new striker for next year,kwas has done well the last few games and simon will run all day for you but its the area we need more quality

 

[nikko]

Big shout out to the 65 year old Mariner fan who wanted to pick a fight with the Darren Locker looklike in the pub after the game. Keep on fighting the good fight champ

 

[yellowcake]

So much of what I have felt over the last night and day is expressed by others above (so I wont be a bore by repeating it...), some thoughts and observations:

I was fully aware that it's not over until the whistle (and getting 2 in 3 minutes? - we scored our 2 in 1 minute in the 2nd leg). Even at 5 to go I'd say I was 'heart in the mouth' not 'money in the bank', although about then I ventured to my eldest "Roar could possibly get beaten by the clock here", so much was the seeming inevitability of a goal with the desperate pressure they were applying.

After Henrique's goal I said to him "whatever happens, the atmosphere in here right now is unbelievable" - that will remain with me forever. As will the Suncorp-silencing celebration of the Mariners first 2 ever Grand Final goals and the building but tentative excitement at the fact that 2-up is more likely to win The Seat than 2-down.

I'll also never forget pre-match at the Calypso. Has been described by others but hows this: My youngest suddenly had a Mariners flag. He said "a guy in a suit gave it to me". Kevrenor later says Peter Turnbull had a handful of flags that he was giving out.

Matty Ryan, when you get over the disappointment, enjoy the Joe Marston medal. A great honour and well deserved for 'keeping' us in the game on so many occasions. This is the first time a player on the losing side has won this and may you forever remain its youngest recipient.



This morning, walking to catch the 7:37 train from Roma St to the Airport, I saw not one person wearing orange or looking happy or even pleased that something big had been achieved for their city. Actually, I couldn't believe that last night half the crowd didn't even stay for the presentation - was it that important? Did they have somewhere better to go??


Check this out:
The most exciting and heartfelt football match of the year has already happened ...

 

[garlo]

Still absolutely gutted ....its good to see Reginald on here having a chat like two fans should ...not like the bullshit we experienced leaving suncorp last night ...
Fab season great growing of the team just the final hurdle admittedly with five to go and 2 nil up I thought we were clear of the hurdle by a mile ....great things will
Come
Of
This ...love Kwassie matty and Bernie but we need the killer instinct ...hopefully Bernie is given the chance to flourish next year in Hal and acl ...great support up there boys it was an amazing atmosphere my friends who had never Been to an away game were amazed by the calypso bar and by our bay ..:such passion in a club only six years old .....great chatting with Lawrie ...geez he looked dejected at bris airport this morning but who wasn't ! Haha
CCM til I die ...bring on season 7 !!!!

 

[Forum Phoenix]

Thanks for the fantastic posts yellowcake, universal mind and others.

In a time where it's a bit difficult to write you have summed it all up brilliantly.


Oh, and Lewis27, yep, I think your spot on.
(See post if interested in the players thread for my thoughts)

 

[LFCMariners]

Ok I am going to start with the emo rant that has been building inside of me since last night so if you don't want to read it, skip to the bottom paragraph.

I think I can understand why in the NRL, Parramatta fans and (until recently) St George fans were such emo's. It comes when you get your hopes up only to have them broken again and again. I think of a line from early in the U.S version of 'Fever Pitch' in which Ben's Uncle Karl is driving him back from his first baseball game, as a kid, and he says "I'm warning ya kid, the Red Socks don't just lose, they'll break your heart!" I could honestly have handled a 3-0 loss to a clinical Roar side, but to have everyone in such high hopes, with one hand already on the trophy and then to throw it all away like that? FMD. <_< I think I am at the threshold of caring. I mean, I will still go to games when I can and stand and sing, and if we play the Glory in Perth for the toilet seat next year I will be on the first flight west. But I think I am truly over feeling any hope. To stand there, 5 minutes from being crowned champions, and throw away a 2-0 lead, was almost like a bad dream or some sick joke. To see blokes in our bay who have spent so much time and money since day 1 following the boys everywhere, even to Asia, in tears thinking we were going to finally knock the Roar off in the big one, have that dream torn to shreds in front of them, was the hardest thing to take, especially when it meant that a bunch of 5 minute Johnny come lately's who probably think Dwight Yorke still plays in the A-League, could turn around right in the middle of walking up the stairs to leave and come back to celebrate, should be illegal somehow. For me, the excitement wasn't so much that we would win the GF, but that after all the media load blowing over Roarcalona, we were going to finally beat them this season in the big one. It was like a fairytale that suddenly turned into a nightmare. I never want to feel like that again, and I never want to get that excited again unless the final whistle has blown and it is OFFICIAL that we have won.

All things considered, our future looks brighter than most other clubs at this point, there is more certainty about the next season coming up. Even the Roar aren't 100% that Ange will be there next season. I hope we top the table (or come damn near) in the League, do well in the FFA Cup and make a real game of it in the ACL. At least then that will make the inevitable chants of "2-0 and you f**ked it up" somewhat bearable. Hell, maybe even win the toilet seat on the way?

 

[dibo]

Following the Mariners is a bit like following the Socceroos used to be - every few years there's excitement punctuated by devastation.

But think back to November 2005. Think of that release, that euphoria. When it comes for us, it's going to be beyond belief.

 

[elevated position]

now you see why aussies love grand finals.
Great game.

There was a nice little gathering for the team at Bluetounge when they came back abut 4.30 yesterday

 

[Teddy Bear]

i think we need a new striker for next year,kwas has done well the last few games and simon will run all day for you but its the area we need more quality

IBINI should be an automatic starter next year. In the limited time he has had on the field he has been terrific.

 

[MagpieMariner]

[snip]
I think I am at the threshold of caring. I mean, I will still go to games when I can and stand and sing, and if we play the Glory in Perth for the toilet seat next year I will be on the first flight west. But I think I am truly over feeling any hope.[snip]

My friend, you just THINK you're over hope right now, but let me tell you you're not. Next season will come around and just as this defeat will make the players that much more hungry, so you will be too.
I speak from bitter experience of following a team in another code whose colours I bleed, just as we both bleed yellow & navy. I experienced 9 losing grand finals between 1958 and 1990 and each year I went in with the hope that this year will be "the year", and then feeling gutted when it wasn't "the year". We came so agonisingly close, losing by 1 point, 2 points, 5 points, losing the replay after a tied grand final, losing after leading by nearly 50 points at half time, but also copping a couple of almighty beltings as well.
But when it finally was "the year" (1990 and last year), then the euphoria, the unbelievable surge of feelings knowing at last "we are the champions" makes all the gut-wrenching heartbreak of the in-between years worth while.
We may thinks we can't take any more right now, but we will start next year once again believing and hoping that this will finally be "the year".
There is a saying in other codes "you have to lose one to win one." Well, we've lost three, so we've paid our dues. Next year will definitely be "the year".

 

[Muppet]

I spoke with Graham when they arrived home yesterday afternoon. To say that he was dirty with Breeze was an understatement. I could tell that he was still fuming. He could not believe that a foul was not given when Pedj was sent sprawling near the end of the game. As he said that would have been the last kick and the rest would have been history. He did put it into context when he said despite losing it is nothing compared to what is happening in Japan at present.

 

[Mariners4Eva]

Well said, spike. I agree with you entirely. I'm fairly new when it comes to supporting CCM, so I haven't been through nearly as much gut wrenching heartache as the rest of you; but all good things will come to those who wait. I don't know when, but it WILL come; and when it does, the feeling of absolute ecstasy will be indescribable.

 

[Roy Law]

As I walked to the ground I began to mingle with people wearing orange but as i looked around I realised probably only a quarter were actually wearing orange the rest were wearing whatever. 50,000 people and probably only 12,000 had Brisbane colours, what a joke, no wonder heaps of them streamed out of the ground at 2-0. That's what hurts, being surrounded by Brisbane no-nothings who don't even support their team. I don't have any complaints about the quality of Brisbane or the job Ange has done, I don't care about the refereeing as nothing can turn back the clock, but what I do know as the utter despair evaporates is I am left standing full of pride for the Mariners. The ending hurt but what a fantastic season. Well done to Graham Arnold, it would not have happened without him. He brings intelligence, strength of character, entertainment, belief and dignity to the club. As I look around the A League - Brisbane the champions already looking like they could lose Postecoglou and some players; Victory sacking Merrick the most succesful manager in the comp and might be appointing Muscat; Adelaide with players falling out publicly with the coach; Perth, awash with money, long of three wasteful marquees and utterly without direction; Sydney, one dimensional on the field and a joke off it; North Queensland dead; No West Sydney; I watch GCU signing Smeltz and Djite and some unknown German and letting talent like Steve Lustica (NYL player of the year)go unrewarded by first team football; and Branko. despite Tinkler's money copying the Mariners by having a core group of seniors but wanting to have a key group of youth players. In fact, the A league, and they were told this by Lyall Gorman years ago, should model themsleves on the Mariners. We are the greatest little club in the Universe.

 

[Woodsy]

A few days later and the feeling is still so raw. As sad and heart breaking as it can be some things are just not meant to be and maybe this is the case in this instance. Let me paint this picture for you all to think about. CCM winning a grand final in 2011 at Brisbane in front of 50000 orange brissy followers that start leaving a stadium before the match is over or wait patiently for one more year to see our boys come out of the season on top and hold a home grand final infront of thousands of true dedicated, loyal fans wearing the blue and yellow. Imagine the feeling when we win next season when our boys hold up that trophy on home soil. Everything happens for a reason. Dont worry guys the win is coming.

 

[pommypete]

G-U-T-T-E-D

 

[MrCelery]

Following the Mariners is a bit like following the Socceroos used to be - every few years there's excitement punctuated by devastation.

But think back to November 2005. Think of that release, that euphoria. When it comes for us, it's going to be beyond belief.

Brilliant point. It will be a divine moment. Just hope it doesn't take 32 years.

 

[Ezz]

My friend, you just THINK you're over hope right now, but let me tell you you're not. Next season will come around and just as this defeat will make the players that much more hungry, so you will be too.
I speak from bitter experience of following a team in another code whose colours I bleed, just as we both bleed yellow & navy. I experienced 9 losing grand finals between 1958 and 1990 and each year I went in with the hope that this year will be "the year", and then feeling gutted when it wasn't "the year". We came so agonisingly close, losing by 1 point, 2 points, 5 points, losing the replay after a tied grand final, losing after leading by nearly 50 points at half time, but also copping a couple of almighty beltings as well.
But when it finally was "the year" (1990 and last year), then the euphoria, the unbelievable surge of feelings knowing at last "we are the champions" makes all the gut-wrenching heartbreak of the in-between years worth while.
We may thinks we can't take any more right now, but we will start next year once again believing and hoping that this will finally be "the year".
There is a saying in other codes "you have to lose one to win one." Well, we've lost three, so we've paid our dues. Next year will definitely be "the year".

Must say well said, even though i support the other team in that 1990 GF! For each year that the Mariners have just fallen short my passion is increasing. As bad as I felt on Sunday (gutted & crying in the car) I know it is all going to make that win, when it comes, all the sweeter.

 

[MagpieMariner]

Must say well said, even though i support the other team in that 1990 GF! For each year that the Mariners have just fallen short my passion is increasing. As bad as I felt on Sunday (gutted & crying in the car) I know it is all going to make that win, when it comes, all the sweeter.

The only thing that would make it even sweeter would be beating the smurfs at SFS or the scum at EAS. Chanting at them "you couldn't even beat us on your own dunghill."

 

[kevrenor]

The only thing that would make it even sweeter would be beating the smurfs at SFS or the scum at EAS. Chanting at them "you couldn't even beat us on your own dunghill."

No, we'll have a new chance to win a Grand Final before those scenarios are likely!

Brisbane deserve to enjoy their year ... now Arnie now is the time to find some extra money, and plot us into a double next year, and a big ACL campaign, and then FFA Cup winners! Who would be a fan of any other club?

Photo: Lowenna Rappo