A-League: Special moment for Bunbury’s Josh Risdon as Western United stun Melbourne City

Bunbury’s Josh Risdon and his Western United teammates are the talk of Australia’s sporting community, following their remarkable 2-0 win over neighbouring Melbourne City in Saturday night’s A-League grand final.

Aside from winning the championship in their third season as a club, United also became the first club to win an A-League crown outside the top-two since 2018.

The success was a fitting reward for Risdon — the first Australian player to ever sign with United — who pushed through injury to provide sterling support as skipper for his teammates.

This journey was reflected in his passionate post-game address on the championship dias, in which he spoke from the heart about his pride of wearing the green and black.

With the championship party in full swing, Risdon reflected on yet another memorable moment in his glittering career.

“It is incredible,” he told ABC Radio.

“No one thought we would be here and win it. No one tipped us, but we had belief throughout the whole season. It is hard to put it all into words — but (it is down to) just the intensity that we play with and we always have each other’s backs.

“To do it (win the championship) with this group is incredible.”

A knock to his hip did threaten to derail Risdon’s input, however the passionate South West product refused to throw the towel in.

“To be honest, when it first happened, I had no idea how I was going to get through the game,” he said. “I just tried to keep it warm and put it in the back of my mind.

“I was never going to come off, as I will have plenty of time to have a rest.”

United took advantage early via City defender Nuno Reis’ own goal in the second minute, the fastest goal in an A-League men’s decider, with Aleksandar Prijovic doubling their lead in the 30th in front of 22,495 fans at AAMI Park.

The title also marked John Aloisi’s first silverware as a coach and stopped City from becoming the first team to complete back-to-back premiership-championship doubles.