He sparked hysteria with perhaps the greatest ever Hyundai A-League goal in no less an occasion than a Semi Final, but unassuming Newcastle Jets midfielder Riley McGree was quick to downplay Friday night’s extraordinary scorpion kick goal.
The 19-year-old restored parity against Melbourne City in breathtaking fashion as, from the edge of the box, he somehow flicked Ronny Vargas’ misdirected return pass up and over a bewildered Dean Bouzanis.
READ: Jets into Grand Final as McGree’s insane scorpion kick sparks City downfall
His goal set the scene for Jason Hoffman to then fire the Jets into next weekend’s Grand Final with a 75th-minute winner, delighting a packed out McDonald Jones Stadium.
Adopting the approach of his manager Ernie Merrick, who as per usual remained stony-faced while sat on the bench, McGree was content to take a back seat to the frenzy surrounding his strike.
“I think I did get a bit lucky,” he admitted to Fox Sports.
“I had the momentum going forward, I just had to swing my leg at it and it happened to go in.
“Definitely a bit of a fluke I think, but you’ve got to try it to get it.”
?? Riley McGree!!!
? @FOXFOOTBALL pic.twitter.com/adeuJ8nOs3
— Hyundai A-League (@ALeague) April 27, 2018
Hoffman’s winner came 18 minutes after McGree’s freak equaliser and booked the Jets’ place in just their second Hyundai A-League Grand Final.
The local product was a teenager when he appeared in the first a decade ago and he expects a different experience this time around.
“To bag a goal and put us through to the Grand Final in front of my home support is a dream come true to be honest,” Hoffman said.
“I said all week that [the 2008 Grand Final] was a little bit surreal. I didn’t really take it in to be honest.
“I think this week I’m definitely going to enjoy the build to Grand Final. We’ll enjoy tonight but refocus pretty quickly.”
