McGree magic lights way to grand final berth
THE crowd could not believe it. The Newcastle Jets bench could not believe it. And neither could Riley McGree.
But the teenager found the most extraordinary route to goal in the Jets’ semi-final with Melbourne City last night, scoring a flying scorpion kick to equalise at 1-1.
McDonald Jones Stadium erupted with delight at the 19year-old’s goal, only the sixth of his career.
McGree collected a ball in midfield and played a one-two with marquee Ronny Vargas.
Finding the Venezuelan’s looped pass a foot behind his stride, McGree improvised and back-heeled the ball with his trailing foot over Dean Bouzanis and into the net.
It was as outrageous as it was unexpected, and sent the crowd into meltdown.
A-League legend Archie Thompson gave the effort his tick of approval on Twitter.
“That’s got to be the best goal I’ve seen in a-league history,” Thompson wrote.
Bruce Djite offered a fire emoji in support of the goal, quickly shared and seen by many thousands of fans worldwide on social media.
Shane Smeltz, who plundered 92 goals in his prolific A-League career, suggested the A-League would be mad not to cash in on the moment.
“Hahahaha I just can’t stop watching the McGree goal . . . analysing it . . . just Brilliant & what a bit of marketing for the A-League,” Smeltz tweeted.
As the Australian football community melted down over the goal, one man sat unmoved on the Jets bench.
That was coach Ernie Merrick, presumably furious one of his side’s many chances had not been taken until that point.
It would end well for Merrick, McGree and the Jets when Jason Hoffman scored in the 75th minute for a 2-1 win.