Triumphant chants of Macquarie United players and fans echoing their club song, rang around No 1 Oval at Victoria Park last Saturday night, after a titanic struggle against two-time premiers Bathurst 75s in the Western Premier League soccer grand final.

Macquarie, under coach Jamie Lobb and young captain, Brooklyn Crain, converted a 2-0 half-time lead into a gripping 3-2 win against the match-hardened title-holders.

When the Light Blues coach and skipper held the trophy aloft, it was the culmination of a three-year plan we discussed in last week’s Dubbo Photo News.

Crain and Glen Schein were the only two players who remained from the Club’s previous WPL grand final in 2020 with that heart-breaking 1-0 loss against the Dubbo Bulls motivating the side ever since. In the big show this year, it was these two experienced men-in-blue who made sure the younger players and coach Lobb were aware of the pain of falling just short.

Three of the inaugural members of the Macquarie United – Life Members Pat and Alan Auld and inaugural coach Paul Crain (father of Brooklyn) – provided stirring pre-match motivational speeches, it was revealed later.

“They really stirred us up and set the adrenaline flowing,” coach Lobb observed.

If that wasn’t enough, sons and daughters of a couple of players along with “Mini-Roos” and juniors entered with the light Blues as they took to the field.

“They reflected the inception of our MUFC Development Program, where WPL players undertook training and then led sessions for the clubs Under 5–12s,” Lobb explained.

“They are our future so to link them up was an important bonding process for our club,” he added.

Quinn Hennock – the bush diesel mechanic who travels three times a week to Dubbo to train and play – was named Player of the Match after going toe-to-toe with the strong 75s midfield all night.

Striker Brad Bone-Chillie himself capped-off a remarkable first year in the light blue shirt, playing a pivotal role in all three MUFC goals.

In the first of these, it was his pin-point corner that found the head of coach Lobb in the first-quarter and then, five minutes later, he trapped the ball 25 metres out and cannoned a right-footer home.

Boney-Chillie had also netted three times in the club’s thrilling 6-2 semi-final victory in Bathurst and then laid-on a perfectly timed lob from centre-field to give the season’s leading goal-scorer Logan Johnson space to head, dribble, and then launch home the winner against Jack Hunter.

Sam Head – who played all his early football in Dubbo and the Central West before spending several years in the NPL in Sydney – had arguably his best game of the season, harassing the dark blue “raiders” in and around the cricket pitch while young defender Jack Lewis, the barista from Molong was as solid as ever at the back.

Coach Lobb extended his praise to the whole squad.

“Goal-keeper Mitchell Conte kept his slate clean in the first half to allow us to take a handy lead into the break.

“Unfortunately, we conceded a penalty in the second half and then one fell to the boot of Josh Brown from a corner to bring 75s back within a goal but, overall, it was really comforting to have Conte on-song for the grand final,” Lobb said.

Youngsters Bailey Auld, Ben Grimson, and Ethan Letfalla – who bagged a double in the semi-final – Ty Sissian, back after suffering a badly broken leg last season, and other bench players Denim Auld, Tim Groth, Jack Wake, Jack Szymkhow, and Isaac Skinner, all played their roles throughout the long season.

‘It was a real team and club effort,” Lobb said after the match.

“My assistant coaches, Neil Jones and Glen Shein, offered valuable insights at training and on match days, and the efforts of so many former players and officials allowed us to keep focussed, despite a couple of setbacks during the year,” Lobb said, acknowledging Bathurst 75s as “the benchmark” club all year.

“Even when we were 2-0 and 3-1 up, we knew that James Christie, Jack Press and tough-as-teak defender Nikki Spice, would not be left wondering.

“We respected their quality but set out to run our game plan and it worked,” Lobb enthused.

A pleasing aspect of the night was the support of Dubbo Kangaroos Rugby players, club officials, and supporters who stayed around after the desperate last-second loss in the final, to cheer Dubbo on in its quest against the visitors from Bathurst.

Macquarie were most appreciative of the Roos’ support in keeping the canteen open well after their commitments had finished.

Lobb also thanked Council for their preparation of Victoria Park to such a high-quality.

“They had to cater for five rugby union semi-finals and then another two hours of football. The field held up magnificently and a lowed both teams to play entertaining football.”

Lobb indicated this may be his final match in the Premier League, as he pursues junior coaching challenges.

The former Central Coast Marines Youth captain and Manly NPL 1 premiership-winning captain, has made a lasting impression in the three years he has mentored an exciting group of MUFC youngster.