The Brisbane Roar have had a magnificent season by any standards, losing just once and setting a record undefeated run, but according to captain Matt McKay, the streak and accomplishments will mean nothing if they don’t take out the Grand Final on Sunday.
After falling to Melbourne Victory in just their fifth game of the season, the Roar have gone on a rampage, stringing together 27 consecutive matches without defeat – an unprecedented record in Australia across all four football codes – and sailing through to the Hyundai A-League decider.
But despite their accolades and accomplishments, McKay has no illusions that Sunday afternoon’s Grand Final against the Central Coast Mariners, the first in Brisbane since 1997, has the potential to make or break their season.
The Premiers Plate and a swag of individual awards have been gratefully and graciously accepted by the club, but with a sell-out crowd of 52,000 expected for Sunday – twice as many as their 2010-11 season high of 25,168 – McKay recognises the time to shine and feels anything less than victory would come as an anti-climax.
“It’s been a long time this season that we’ve known we’re going to be in towards the finals and wanting a grand final; to be here now, it’s a great occasion, and we’re ready for it,” he said.
“A 27-game undefeated streak is something that will never be matched, and we want to continue it. It will be a dent in our season if we don’t get a result on Sunday afternoon.”
“The streak doesn’t mean a thing if we don’t get this result on Sunday afternoon. It’s been a work in progress this whole season.”
“We just want one more step and we’ll be concentrating this week to make sure that happens.”
Hyundai A-League Coach of the Year Ange Postecoglou was another in the Roar camp loathe to downplay the significance of the season showpiece.
Visibly buoyed by the prospect of selling out Suncorp Stadium, Postecoglou told media that even heading into this fifth grand final – with a perfect four-from-four record – he was totally absorbed in the occasion and would be making sure his men savoured the experience.
“We’ve got to top it off on Sunday, but I’m really proud of the way we’ve gone about things all year.”
“You’ve got to get excited. I’m not a fan of this, ‘it’s another game, keep a lid on it.'”
“I think sometimes if you try to keep a lid on things and supress things, then you miss out on a great opportunity to enjoy something special.”
