The Glory midfielder had seen his side go ahead early in the second half through Ivan Franjic's own goal, before Brisbane responded with Berisha heading an equaliser on 85 minutes.

However the real drama came in injury-time when Berisha went down inside the penalty area and referee Jarred Gillett awarded a dubious spotkick.

“You've got to congratulate Brisbane, they're a class outfit, a class side, but I feel as though we've been robbed there,” Burns told  Fox Sports after the game.

“It was a decision that has cost us the grand final. I've got to pay credit to the boys, our never-say-die attitude. That suspect decision right at the end has absolutely killed the spectacle and a wonderful game of football.”

He added: “It was plain as day. You could see by Berisha's reaction, he knows as well it wasn't a penalty. These knee-jerk decisions they cost you cups.”

Burns reserved special praise for his side after a fine 2011-12 season for the club.

“Super proud not only of today but our entire season and the way we've carried ourselves into the finals. But I'm just gutted,” he said.