Melbourne City’s Nathaniel Atkinson wrote the final chapter in a comeback story for the ages on Sunday night, winning the Joe Marston Medal as best on ground in his side’s 3-1 Grand Final triumph over Sydney FC.
It’s a remarkable end to an individual season which seemed all-but over in February, when the 22-year-old succumbed to a high-grade hamstring tear in early April.
The Tasmanian was ruled out for “two to three months” in the club’s official statement on April 8. It was a blow that not only put Atkinson’s 2020/21 campaign on ice, but his Olympic dream in doubt as the Australian U-23’s continued preparations for the upcoming Tokyo Olympic Games.
But Atkinson was to return before the season’s end. Firstly for a brief 45-minute cameo in a disappointing 2-1 loss to Newcastle Jets in the last game of the regular season, before an 89-minute showing in a 2-0 Semi Final win over Macarthur FC.
Atkinson harnessed the momentum of his Semi Final performance to excel on the biggest night of all, finishing his side’s 3-1 Grand Final triumph with the Joe Marston Medal clanging into the Champions medal draped around his neck.
MATCH REPORT: Champions at last: City dominate ten-man Sky Blues in 3-1 Grand Final triumph
“I’m speechless, honestly,” Atkinson told FOX Sports whilst basking in the occasion after the full-time whistle blew on City’s coronation night.
“It’s the proudest moment of my career. I’m sure it’s for my family as well.
“When I got the injury I thought season done, little things got in my way, a few COVID outbreaks and I’m here today, and yeah, I’m speechless.”
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Combining with Scott Galloway down the right flank, Atkinson put in an imperious display for his side as he helped City surge to Grand Final victory in front of the delighted home support at AAMI Park.
Just two minutes after Kosta Barbarouses got the Sky Blues on top in the first half, Atkinson delivered the reply with a lethal strike from inside the box which rattled into the top-right corner of goal.
He proceeded to play the through pass to Adrián Luna from which the Uruguayan won the first-half penalty that captain Scott Jamieson converted to give City a lead they never relinquished.
Atkinson finished the Grand Final with six created chances, a goal and a 91.7% passing accuracy in the final third. A deserving winner of the Joe Marston medal, for whom life could have been so different had an unsuspecting turn of events not occurred in the off-season.
Atkinson, along with City star Andrew Nabbout, were both signed by Perth Glory for the 2020/21 campaign. Difficulties related to COVID-19, however, meant that the pair were to remain in Victoria, and City were more than happy to accrue their collective talents.
What could have been for the City pair will forever remain a mystery. But Atkinson sees a deeper meaning behind the monumental turn of events.
“Everything happens for a reason,” he said.
“It’s a strange world we’re living in at the moment. I could be over at Perth, but I’m so thankful to stay here.
“I’ve been here for nearly six years, I’ve seen the ups and downs of the club and we finally did it.”
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