The Newcastle Jets are in the 2018 A-League Grand Final after a 2-1 win over Melbourne City, courtesy of a world-beater equaliser and a fairytale finish. The rapturous Hunter crowd wouldn't have it any other way.

City took the lead in tumultuous circumstances, Dario Vidosic driving a low-ball across the face that Bruno Fornaroli somehow bundled home.

Daniel Arzani presented his usual mix of flair and frustration, arguably earning a penalty half-way through the first 45, but VAR rejected and the Jets began to work their magic. 

The Melburnians bossed a slight advantage in a tense midfield battle but created little, while Dimitri Petratos looked a class above the rest; his set-pieces were the real highlight of a back-and-forth first half.

Both sides lacked final product, but Newcastle had the motivation. Then Riley McGree scored the greatest goal in A-League history. There, we said it.

"Definitely a bit of fluke," said a serene McGree after the match. It'll sink it in when he's watching it on the news.

 

 

At this level, at this time, to pull-off a scorpion kick from the edge of the box is the stuff that dreams are made of. From then on, a fairytale finish always looked on the cards, and who else to finish off this chapter than Jason Hoffman.

"It's hard to put into words. The atmosphere tonight was fantastic. I'm so glad we could award the fans here," Hoffman said.

"When you play up front you need to try to contribute, to bag a goal and put us through to the final in front of my home crowd is a dream come true.

"I said all week that 07/08 (Hoffman's last Grand Final) was surreal. This week I'm going to enjoy the build up."

An emotional Scott Jamieson couldn't quite comprehend McGree's effort.

"First and foremost congrats to Newcastle," he muttered.

"It's tough to take, the lad will never do it again in a hundred years. We were brave enough, strong enough, in the end they've got the goal with a backheel and that's it.

"Adjust or not, we're never going to see a goal like that ever again."