There’s a reason why Melbourne Victory match-winner Kosta Barbarouses praised three team-mates as “absolutely fantastic” in the history-making Hyundai A-League Grand Final win over Newcastle Jets.
But while one, Lawrence Thomas, received widespread acclaim and the Joe Marston Medal for helping his club to a record fourth championship, the contribution of the two others singled out by the New Zealand international perhaps flew under the radar.
REPORT: History made! Thomas the hero as Victory crowned Champions
That might be because Thomas Deng, 21, and James Donachie, 24, looked as though they had been defensive partners for a decade.
Their unflappable performances in the middle of an unshakeable rearguard belied a build-up that had forced Kevin Muscat’s preferred back four to go under a complete makeover.
Rhys Williams, the calming, seasoned professional, ruled himself out of Saturday night’s decider due to the calf problem he sustained in the warm-up prior to last weekend’s Semi Final.
His absence compounded the mid-season departure of ever-present right-back Jason Geria, whose decision to sign for Japanese side JEF United Chiba in March saw 21-year-old Stefan Nigro drafted in to line up on the opposite side to reconfigured midfielder Leigh Broxham.
Against the odds, Victory’s new-look defensive duo remained unfazed and kept a clean sheet that sealed the silverware.
“It feels terrific. We started off [the season] very poorly but it ended very sweet,” Deng told Fox Sports.
“I’m very happy for the boys and the fans as well.
READ: The moment that won Melbourne Victory the Grand Final
“Missing Rhys was terrible. I came and did my job for the team and I’m happy I could help the team as much as I did.
“The boys have been good every day since I came back from overseas.
“Every day has been good with them. I’m very happy we can share this memory forever.”
Deng has been a constant starter since rejoining Victory from a loan spell at PSV, but the same cannot be said of Donachie.
James Donachie has been immense. #ALeagueGF
— Daniel Garb (@DanielGarb) May 5, 2018
The ex-Brisbane Roar man made just his 13th start of the campaign on Saturday night, having been hampered by a serious quad injury that sidelined him for over three months.
It made the triumph all the more special.
“It’s a really great night,” Donachie said.
“It was a tough year for me. It was the first long-term injury I’ve had.
“It was really good to come in and win.”
An understated response to a memorable moment was perhaps the most fitting way to sum up the pair’s approach to a perfect 90 minutes.
How sweet it is ? #MVFC pic.twitter.com/zuBaX0qn2u
— Melbourne Victory (@gomvfc) May 5, 2018
