A parting gift? Jason Cummings scores a HAT TRICK in the A-League Grand Final against Melbourne City after the Socceroos cult hero confirmed ‘it’s the last dance’ for the Central Coast Mariners
- Jason Cummings offered a possible farewell gift to the Mariners
- Cult hero Socceroos said the grand final ‘is the last dance’ for him
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Jason Cummings gave the Central Coast Mariners the best parting gift ever after scoring a hat-trick for his side in the men’s A-League Grand Final against Melbourne City.
Ahead of the grand final, Cummings confirmed the big game “is the last dance” for him, amid reports the Socceroos cult hero is moving to India.
And 20 minutes into the game against regular-season premiers City, Cummings dispatched the Mariners stalwarts in a frenzy with a neat finish to give his side a surprise lead.
The Scottish-born striker found himself in the perfect spot for a cross from the right side and was quickest to pounce on the loose ball to finish past City goalkeeper Thomas Glover.
‘It’s the last dance, maybe I’ll do a little speech afterwards [the game]” he told Network 10.
The Mariners were in dreamland soon after when their lead was doubled by Sam Silvera, before City salvaged one by Richard van der Venne.
The underdogs were forced to weather a second-half storm from City, but a 64th-minute penalty, converted by Cummings, gave Central Coast some much-needed respite as they chased their first title in 10 years.
Moments later, Cummings earned a second penalty after a handball into City’s penalty area, becoming the second player to score a hat-trick in an A-League Grand Final, after Socceroos legend Archie Thompson.
More soon.
Jason Cummings gave the Central Coast Mariners a farewell gift on Saturday
Cult hero Socceroos scored twice for the A-League team in the men’s grand final
Central Coast hopes to win first A-League title in 10 years
