A-League grand final: Outrage after sickening Alex Wilkinson concussion in Sydney FC victory

THE thrilling A-League grand final took a scary turn when a Sydney FC star was concussed. Fans weren’t happy with the result.

Wilkinson goes down with an injury.

THE A-League grand final took a thrilling turn on Sunday night, heading into extra time as the competition’s top two sides clashed in an epic stalemate.

Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory were locked at 1-1 after regulation time.

Melbourne took the lead through a Besart Berisha goal in the 20th minute of the heated meeting at Allianz Stadium.

But Sydney’s Rhyan Grant levelled the score with a goal of his own in the69th minute, while nine players were issued yellow cards in regulation time.

Sydney FC star Alex Wilkinson suffered a sickening concussion late in the game after a collision with Danny Vukovic.

Wilkinson immediately hit the deck, forcing medical staff to rush onto the field and deal with the situation.

Wilkinson was taken from the field but surprisingly returned, much to the outrage of fans concerned with his wellbeing. Wilkinson then missed his penalty shootout after the half-hour of extra time.

Sydney FC charged home with a 4-2 win in the shootout stage, setting hometown spectators alight as players jumped into the crowd.

Danny Vukovic summed-up the thrilling finish in an elated post-match interview with FOX Sports. “I’m speechless. That whole penalty shootout was a blur,” he said.

Wilkinson goes down with an injury.

There is no way they can let Wilkinson back on the field. Surely not #AleagueGF

— Mark Gottlieb (@MarkGottliebFOX) May 7, 2017

Wilkinson gets head ripped off at ALeague soccer's biggest show and comes immediately back on!!! Really. #ALeague #PFA

— Ed (@GofitEd) May 7, 2017

@ALeague No concussion rule in @ALeague ? Wilkinson is struggling

— MelbourneSportsTours (@MelbSportsTours) May 7, 2017

There really needs to be concussion protocols for this situation. League has a duty of care towards its players #ALeagueGF

— The Football Sack (@TheFootballSack) May 7, 2017

There's no way Wilkinson should be going back on. That's awful.

— Patrick Barnes (@patrick478) May 7, 2017

It was left to Johnny Warren Medal winner Milos Ninkovic to slot home the match- winning spot-kick.

Melbourne’s Besart Berisha and Sydney’s Rhyan Grant scored the goals during the first 90 minutes of a bruising battle - in which 11 yellow cards were issued among 59 fouls.

Berisha gave Victory the lead in the 20th minute with a sublime goal that stunned Sydney’s parochial 41,546-strong crowd.

The polarising frontman took possession about 25 metres from goal and toyed with Wilkinson as he ran at the Sydney defender.

After jinking this way, then that, Berisha coolly converted during an opening half punctuated by an all-in melee.

Tempers boiled over in the 34th minute when Sydney’s Milos Ninkovic was taken down by a Leigh Broxham tackle.

Devastated.

Elated.

Ninkovic’s instant remonstration escalated into a push and shove involving all players: three of them — Ninkovic, teammate Filip Holosko and Melbourne’s James Troisi - were booked in the aftermath.

After trailing at halftime, Sydney were rewarded for a period of sustained pressure after substitute David Carney swung onto his right foot and fired a powerful shot.

Victory goalkeeper Lawrence Thomas got a glove on the shot and his teammate Berisha a slight nod as the ball sailed along the goal line, before Grant steamed in for a 69th minute tap-in.

With scores tied, the decider went to extra-time and Melbourne playmaker Troisi came centimetres from a winner - his crisp volley in the 107th minute struck the inside of the left-hand post.

Just three minutes later, Sky Blues stalwart Carney was brought down and tumbled into the box amid cries for a penalty, but the foul occurred centimetres outside the box.

Carney then butchered a gilt-edged chance when in time and space in the box before the penalty shootout.

This is the moment @SydneyFC CHAMPIONS #ALeagueGF @jodieingles27 @sbbross @rdbagnall #sydvmvc pic.twitter.com/ZNasqJo7I0

— Prof Chris Semsarian (@CSHeartResearch) May 7, 2017

— with AAP

Originally published as A-League grand final: Outrage after sickening Alex Wilkinson concussion in Sydney FC victory