Matt Hilton injury brings Burleigh to life as they down Surfers Paradise 3-0 in Premier League final

IT was a horror moment that left them without their most influential player but the loss of captain Matt Hilton proved pivotal as Burleigh Heads sealed the Gold Coast Premier League double on Saturday night.

IT was a horror moment that left them without their most influential player but the loss of captain Matt Hilton proved pivotal as Burleigh Heads sealed the Gold Coast Premier League double on Saturday night.

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While the Bulldogs celebrated their first grand final win since 2008 with a 3-0 victory over Surfers Paradise at Carrara, celebrations were tempered following Hilton’s shock second-half injury.

Chasing a loose ball into the penalty box minutes after the break, Hilton fell headfirst into the knee of Apollo goalkeeper Tim Warren, breaking his jaw and losing several teeth.

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Play was stopped for 30 minutes as an ambulance whisked away the former Australian Joeys striker, who had given the champions a 1-0 lead in the 14th minute.

The ensuing penalty was converted by Reece Hills, before David Mutch put the result beyond doubt with a third goal midway through the second half.

Burleigh Heads celebrate their Gold Coast Premier League grand final win over Surfers Paradise.

Colin Phelan’s side was rarely troubled following Hilton’s exit and Mutch said they had made a concerted effort to win it for their skipper.

“Speaking to Matt (before the game), that was his first final he’s won so for him to not be involved was massive for us,” Hilton’s striking partner said.

“Phelo came on the pitch (after it happened) and one of the first things he said was ‘win this game now and win it for Matty’. Matty’s been pivotal this whole season, he’s banged 30-odd goals in and been the key player for us so once he’s gone off, we had to win it for him.

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“We had a cheers for him in (the dressing rooms after the game). Once you win the league, that’s the biggest thing but all of us just wanted to finish on a high.

“Obviously if we’d lost today, it would’ve been a kick in the teeth. Even after the first round (of fixtures) we knew we were going to win something so to win was just the icing on the cake.”

Burleigh Heads striker Matt Hilton (left). Picture: East End Digital

The victory was sweet redemption for Burleigh, who crashed out of last year’s finals in the first week and were in danger of having their 2019 campaign cut short when they fell to Surfers in the major semi final two weeks ago.

But Phelan said they saved their best for when it mattered most.

“I thought my lads were absolutely tip-top today. We worked hard to get the rewards, tonight’s our night,” he said.

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“I just wish our leader and captain and goalscorer and absolute brilliant lad (was here). He’s led from the front today and obviously he’s had a bit of an incident there but all our thoughts are with him.

“It’s probably taken the edge off a little bit … but we all wish Matty Hilton a speedy recovery.”