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Edgeworth Eagles 0 def. by Broadmeadow Magic 3 (Majurovski 25’, Rose OG 38’, Bradbery 90+3’)

Saturday 8th September, 6 pm at McDonald Jones Stadium

After heartbreak on the big stage after 120 minutes last season, a new-look Edgeworth side were out to rectify things and claim a Premiership-Championship double.

In their first Grand Final since 2016 and without a win at the final hurdle since 2013 as well as under a coach in just his second year, was a Magic side looking to secure more silverware this season after their Maso Cup win in the pre-season.

In the end, the speed of the Magic attackers and the width of the pitch worked in their favour. Everything came together for a magical night as Broadmeadow claimed their seventh championship.

It was a frantic start as both teams looked to pinch an early goal. Edgeworth had a good chance in the 5th minute as the ball bounced around in the penalty box after a free kick, while Kale Bradbury and Justin Broadley both had opportunities up the other end.

Paul Bitz made an outstanding save on the 17-minute mark to keep the scores level and Luke Virgili hit the crossbar just moments later at the other end as Broadmeadow went close.

Magic went one better on the 25th minute though. James Virgili was fed the ball out wide, and got a cross around the Edgeworth defence. John Majurovski found himself free inside the penalty box and headed home to give Broadmeadow the lead.

Majurovski went close just minutes later and forced a fantastic diving save from Josh Low, but it wouldn’t take too long for them to double their advantage. A ball in from Mitch Oxborrow evaded Majurovski but cannoned off Josh Rose and into the back of the Edgeworth net to give Magic a 2-0 lead.

Edgeworth came out firing in the second half, and Will Bower nearly had a goal in the opening minute but it was well-saved by Paul Bitz. The Eagles found themselves in behind shortly after, but the shot was saved and eventually called back for offside.

Kale Bradbury tried his chance from distance on the hour mark and Josh Rose hit the side netting up the other end with a header from a corner. Injury to Dom Bizzarri seen Daniel McBreen brought on in the 67th minute as Damian Zane played his trump card.

It didn’t quite spark the speed in attack they might have wished for though, and there was very little created in the way of chances. Josh Rose saw a shot flash across the face of the goal in the 79th minute before Magic ran up the other end and nearly made the final ten minutes a formality, but Kale Bradbury’s shot hit the feet of Josh Low and bounced clear.

With just moments to go on the clock, Bradbery found himself free on the edge of the area. He took a touch to set himself and curled a magnificent goal past an outstretched Josh Low and into the corner of the goal, securing Broadmeadow their first Grand Final win since 2013.

Speaking to BarTV Sports following the win, Broadmeadow coach Ruben Zadkovich was ecstatic with the win.

“Brilliant. Really stoked for the boys, we’ve got a lot of nice stories in the team and guys like Shane Paul, we didn’t make a big deal of it because he doesn’t like the big song and dance but it’s his last game of football this season,” said Zadkovich.

“I’m happy the boys did it for him and for Johnny Griff, he was spoken about for fifty minutes before the game. We’ve got a great bunch, there are so many stories we could talk about but I’m really really happy for each and every one of them.

It was one key change to their usual game which helped unlock the Edgeworth defence.

“I like to play nice and narrow with my wingers, all year people were begging for width,” said Zadkovich.

“We scored the most goals in the competition and kept the most clean sheets, won the Maso Cup, represented Northern NSW in the last 16 of the FFA Cup and then when we get to the big stage we gave our wingers a bit of width.

“And that’s what you get, James Virgili has given him an absolute bath and Kale Bradbery has dominated for 90 minutes. It freed up space for Oxy and Codes, it shows me that if you put us on a good pitch, we’ve got the best team in the competition.”

“They earned it. Edgy is a hard-working team, you don’t get anything easy. We knew we’d have to earn it, and the boys did. They wanted to work, they wanted it more, they were tougher, more physical, better footballers played the better football, and got everything they deserved.”