Staff writer

7 years ago

The moment that won Melbourne Victory the Hyundai A-League Grand Final

Lawrence Thomas’ sublime double save during the first half of Melbourne Victory’s brave and battling win over Newcastle Jets will go down as the Hyundai A-League 2018 Grand Final’s decisive moment.

With his side leading 1-0 at McDonald Jones Stadium courtesy of Kosta Barbarouses’ ninth-minute opener, Thomas stood tall to first claw Riley McGree’s shot out of the bottom corner and then somehow deflect Jason Hoffman’s point-blank follow-up over the bar.

He was deservedly rewarded with the Joe Marston Medal for best afield – becoming only the second goalkeeper to claim it after Caltex Socceroos shot-stopper Mat Ryan – and that stunning pair of saves on the half-hour will be remembered as the reason why.

READ: History made! Thomas the hero as Victory crowned Champions

“It’s been a rollercoaster year,” Thomas told Fox Sports after the match.

“We didn’t play good football on the night but a win’s a win.

“I just tried to stay in the game. I don’t know what to say, it’s incredible.”

Thomas’ task to preserve the single-goal deficit was made more difficult by the bandage he was made to sport after putting his body on the line in the closing moments, which included copping a high boot from Roy O’Donovan that saw the Jets striker sent off in stoppage time.

Hyundai A-League fans agreed the patched-up look only added to the aura of his sensational performance.

A-League Men
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