Gold Coast Knights end 40-year wait for Premier League grand final success with Broadbeach win

THE Gold Coast Knights have avenged their 2017 loss to Broadbeach and ended their 40-year wait for Premier League grand final success with a 5-1 triumph over the Dolphins.

THE Gold Coast Knights have avenged their 2017 loss to Broadbeach and ended their 40-year wait for Premier League grand final success with a 5-1 triumph over the Dolphins.

Twelve months after a heartbreaking last-gasp defeat to Broadbeach in the title decider, the Knights bid farewell to the Premier League with the title double in front of an estimated 1500-strong crowd at the Croatian Sports Centre.

The result capped a disastrous day for the Dolphins, who lost all four grand finals - reserves and A grade in the Coast League and Premier League.

Broadbeach’s Shaun Robinson celebrates the opening goal. Picture: Jerad Williams

LEAGUE LEGEND PREPARES FOR SWANSONG

They were better than the 5-1 scoreline suggests and appeared on track to repeat their 2017 victory when Shaun Robinson capitalised on their early dominance to open the scoring in the 19th minute.

But with the influence of midfield trio Russell Miner, Adam Powell and Andy Trotter diminishing, the Knights began to take control and grabbed a deserved goal in the 37th when Justyn McKay tapped in after some superb lead-up work from Nicholas Panetta.

Justyn McKay scored the Knights’ first goal. Picture: Jerad Williams

COMP WOES, PREMIER DEPARTURE AND A COACHING MOVE - THE SNIPER

The Knights then took the lead three minutes into the second half, with a failed Luka Zoric clearance leaving an open goal for Jarrod Kyle, who slotted home from 10 yards out.

The hosts continued to pepper the Broadbeach goal and were rewarded once more when man-of-the-match Max Brown netted his side’s third midway through the second half.

Knights midfielder Max Brown was named man of the match. Picture: Jerad Williams

OFF-FIELD ROLE KEY TO SOCCEROOS’ COAST REUNION

With Broadbeach pushing forward, late Knights substitute Andy Barisic made the most of the Dolphins’ exposed backline to bag a fourth goal in the final minute of stoppage time after a brilliant solo run.

He was at it again in the third minute of injury time, winning a penalty and converting in front of the Knights faithful to kickstart the celebrations.