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The Mariners appeared destined for the championship after scoring twice in extra-time to hold a 2-0 advantage with five minutes to play.

But Roar struck twice late on through Henrique and Erik Paartalu before incredibly winning on penalties.

“We were up 2-0 last time we were here and they came back,” Wilkinson told Fox Sports after the game.

“We were always wary of that. To concede on a set-piece it's not good enough. We aren't going to go into that now but once it goes into a penalty shootout it's anyone's game. It's unlucky for us, it wasn't our day.”

Wilkinson, who has been with the Mariners since the club's first season, was devastated to lose his third Grand Final with the club.

“It's a cruel sport,” he said. “It can give you unbelievable highs when we are up 2-0 and then just devastating lows. It's a cruel sport today, there's no words for it, the boys are absolutely shattered.

“It just feels like I'm never going to be destined to win one of these. We'll come back and I've always said we'll be a better team next year.

“Let's hope we can get back here next year and give it a good shake again.”

The Mariners skipper was full of praise for teenage goalkeeper Matt Ryan who won the Joe Marston Medal for best player in the game.

“He fully deserved the man of the match,” he said. “Unbelievable talent. Credit to him, he's a fantastic player and he's only going to grow.”

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