Good luck messages from a Bundesliga club, the eye-catching duel between Rhyan Grant and Jason Davidson and a new Grand Final attendance record.
There were plenty of talking points for fans across the nation to sink their teeth into over the course of Sunday’s fiercely-fought Hyundai A-League 2019 Grand Final between Perth Glory and Sydney FC.
And here’s how social media reacted.
LE FONDRE: ‘One of my crowning achievements’
REPORT: Sydney FC pip Perth on penalties to win Hyundai A-League 2019 Grand Final
WHAT THEY SAID: Sydney FC penalty heroes revel in Championship triumph
Hyundai A-League’s global reach
There was plenty of support for both clubs inside Optus Stadium but the well-wishes came from far and wide for Sydney FC, including German Bundesliga club SC Freiburg.
On the final day of the Bundesliga season, Freiburg fans held up a banner telling the Sky Blues to ‘Get the Championship’.
Steve Corica’s troops also received messages of congratulations from European clubs Ajax Amsterdam and APOEL.
Truly is the world game @SydneyFC @scfreiburg pic.twitter.com/EeAD2KrW7R
— Blake (@K_Blake9) May 20, 2019
Congrats on winning the @ALeague, @SiemDeJong & @SydneyFC!
— AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) May 19, 2019
Congrats to @SydneyFC and to @gh_reza for becoming @ALeague champions!!! https://t.co/hBa1GEeqIW
— APOEL FC (@apoelfcofficial) May 19, 2019
What happened to his shoes?
Mark this down as one of the bizarre stories of Sydney FC’s Grand Final triumph.
When Sky Blues legend and the club’s General Manager of Football Terry McFlynn endured a wardrobe malfunction, it was up to one of the club’s interns to save the day!
What happened to his shoes? 😂@SydneyFC #ALeagueGF #FeelTheFinals pic.twitter.com/ddOjOTtnuW
— Isuzu UTE A-League (@aleaguemen) May 20, 2019
Ok @ALeague , have I got story to tell you.@terrymcflynn needed to conduct some pre and post match duties for the big dance when his shoes broke. Being the media intern for the club, sacrifices were needed to be made.
— Julian Baumbach (@Jules_Baumbach) May 20, 2019
Ask Terry 😂 pic.twitter.com/HVoRmIKqY6
— NarelleBT (@belleran) May 20, 2019
Experienced bunch
Perth Glory taskmaster Tony Popovic likes taking seasoned troops into battle. At 31.9 years old, the Glory side Popovic assembled in Sunday’s defeat to Sydney had the oldest average starting eleven in an Australian Grand Final, according to stats guru Andrew Howe.
Popovic’s Western Sydney Wanderers side, who were defeated by Adelaide United 3-1 in the 2015/16 Grand Final, are the second oldest.
Oldest starting XIs in Aus grand finals (average age):
31.9 years old Perth Glory #ALeagueGF
30.5 Western Sydney 2016
30.1 Sydney FC #ALeagueGF
30.0 Adelaide Utd 2007
30.0 Brisbane Roar 2014
Youngest was 23.1 years old, Sydney Olympic 1989 pic.twitter.com/z2yPkSbisa— andrew howe (@AndyHowe_statto) May 19, 2019
Oldest grand final starters
38y 325d A Covic 2014
38y 094d P Zwaanswijk 2013
37y 284d L REDDY 2019***
37y 235d T Vidmar 2008
36y 321d D CASTRO 2019***
36y 273d C Veart 2007
36y 225d K Muscat 2010
36y 123d B Nyskohus 1986
36y 108d S Melta 1995
36y 092d D DJULBIC 2019***#ALeagueGF— andrew howe (@AndyHowe_statto) May 19, 2019
A moment’s silence
There was a classy tribute held for some fallen heroes – including former Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke – before the battle got underway.
A moment's applause was held for Wynnie Russell, David Cervinski and Bob Hawke, who all passed away during the week. ???#ALeagueGF #FeelTheFinals
? @FOXFOOTBALL pic.twitter.com/0q3N0Uz0aJ— Hyundai A-League (@ALeague) May 19, 2019
Record shattered
The massive turnout of 56,371 fans at Optus Stadium for Sunday’s big dance was a record Grand Final attendance for the competition, eclipsing the previous tally of 55,436 set in Melbourne Victory’s 6-0 win over Adelaide United in the 2007 Grand Final.
Tonight's #ALeagueGF is a new club record in all competitions and a record Grand Final attendance for the @ALeague in its 14 year history!
(0-0) #ALeagueGF #FeelTheFinals #OneMission #OneGlory pic.twitter.com/vfjZJOI2yi
— Perth Glory FC (@PerthGloryFC) May 19, 2019
It's a new @ALeague Grand Final record!
56,371 at Optus Stadium for the big dance… what a turnout. ?? #ALeagueGF pic.twitter.com/72BqiAo0gW
— FOX Sports Football (@FOXFOOTBALL) May 19, 2019
Grant wins battle of the bad haircuts
The clash between Perth’s bleached-blond Jason Davidson and Sydney’s mullet-wearing hero Rhyan Grant epitomised the intense nature of the Hyundai A-League 2019 Grand Final.
The two fullbacks were at each other’s throats throughout the 120 minutes.
Grant ? Davidson in a battle for the #ALeagueGF's worst haircut… (we assume)
FOLLOW LIVE: https://t.co/LUFTvTiJ8D pic.twitter.com/Msj13N40jt
— FOX Sports Football (@FOXFOOTBALL) May 19, 2019
Davidson v Grant.
Slim Shady v Billy Ray Cyrus. #ALeagueGF
— Daniel Garb (@DanielGarb) May 19, 2019
Always miss playing the game but I must say I felt alive being personally boo’d walking through the crowds today. Perth is #Skyblue and the mullet man came away winning his battle ?#ALeagueGF @SydneyFC @RhyanGrant
— Danielle Brogan (@danibrogan3) May 19, 2019
#ALeagueGF @RhyanGrant & @jasondavidson29
Friends off the pitch, enemies on it… pic.twitter.com/qm79zf15Ny
— Kire™️ (@kire_tm) May 19, 2019
Rhyan Grant v Jason Davidson looks like a nightclub stand-off circa 2005. #ALeagueGF
— David Jordan (@DavidJordan33) May 19, 2019
Tributes flood in for Sydney FC – and Brosque
Former Caltex Socceroo Craig Foster and ex-Hyundai A-League custodian Danny Vukovic were among those to pay respects to retiring Sydney FC legend Alex Brosque after the Grand Final.
Meanwhile, on-loan maestro Siem de Jong received a mention from parent club and Dutch champions Ajax, and FOX Sports pundit Bruce Djite issued his condolences to defeated Grand Finalists Perth Glory.
Alex Brosque has a message for @SydneyFC & Hyundai @ALeague fans after winning the Grand Final in his final game ?#ALeagueGF #FeelTheFinals pic.twitter.com/wTqK84DATZ
— Hyundai A-League (@ALeague) May 19, 2019
Congratulations to @SydneyFC and farewell @AlexBrosque after a marvellous career. Steve Corica, great job. Commiserations to @PerthGloryFC and congrats on league title. Record crowd a positive, hugely welcome finale to the season. https://t.co/aRlOCGqvD5
— Craig Foster (@Craig_Foster) May 19, 2019
Congrats @SydneyFC, @SFCU and @TheCove23 for winning the fourth Grand Final in history. And of course to Bimbi and Alex Brosque, the latter finishing an amazing career on an absolute high! #ALeagueGrandFinal
— Edwin Lugt (@EdwinLugt) May 19, 2019
A wonderful career comes to an end.
Alex Brosque has played his last minutes in the @ALeague. ?? #ALeagueGF pic.twitter.com/ohMBq2AbQA
— FOX Sports Football (@FOXFOOTBALL) May 19, 2019
Congratulations to @SydneyFC for their fourth @ALeague Championship and best wishes to Alex Brosque for his retirement from the game.#ALeagueGF #OneGlory
— Perth Glory FC (@PerthGloryFC) May 19, 2019
Alex Brosque's daughter with the @ALeague Championship ?#ALeagueGF #FeelTheFinals pic.twitter.com/OyKcvAdnt1
— Hyundai A-League (@ALeague) May 19, 2019
WE DID IT!!! WE DID IT FOR BROSQUE. WE DID IT FOR ALL @SydneyFC FANS. WE DID IT FOR THE HATERS. ??? #ALeagueGF #SydneyIsSkyBlue pic.twitter.com/hxxuTKTyFU
— Alex Wain (@alexwain) May 19, 2019
Congratulations @SydneyFC.. Amazing effort by Bimbi and Co in his 1st season. Perfect way to send of Brosque!! And to @PerthGloryFC, fantastic season and incredible effort by Popa and his team to turn the club around in record time #ALeagueGF
— David Zdrilic (@Zdrila) May 19, 2019
A big congratulations to @SydneyFC on winning the Championship! Alex Brosque goes out as a Champion! Congrats to the boys and all involved with the club! @alexwilkinson84 @MichaelZullo5 @RhyanGrant @redders_20 @crawlj @judeasmith1 @acalver96 @drt15
— Danny Vukovic (@vuka20) May 19, 2019
Also commiserations to @PerthGloryFC
You’ve done yourselves proud and so good to see the Glory days back in Perth. Hold your heads high! Keep doing what you’re doing and that title will be heading to Perth soon enough.— Danny Vukovic (@vuka20) May 19, 2019
Wow!!! What can I say!! Unbelievable atmosphere at Optus today!! What a bunch of fellas ???? @SydneyFC #syndeyisskyblue pic.twitter.com/n3ZQdFBJ4x
— Adam Le Fondre (@A1F1E9) May 19, 2019
Champions of Australia! @SydneyFC ? pic.twitter.com/bQrwOji6AR
— Siem de Jong (@siemdejong) May 19, 2019
Just cannot comprehend the feeling. Losing a final at homeon penalties, in front of over 56,000 fans.
Congratulations to @SydneyFC.@PerthGloryFC will bounce back.#AleagueGF
— Bruce Djite (@BDjite) May 19, 2019
Congratulations to @SydneyFC on Winning the @ALeague grand final. Both men’s and women’s champions. @PerthGloryFC boys unbelievable season. Unlucky tonight. #GoGlory ?
— Sam Kerr (@samkerr1) May 19, 2019
Congratulations to @SydneyFC for winning their fourth @ALeague championship in front of 56,000 fans in Perth! #ALeagueGF
— Gladys Berejiklian (@GladysB) May 19, 2019