‘Looks like he went 15 rounds with Mike Tyson': Leckie leads City to title despite horror injury

The Age

3 days ago

Melbourne City star Mathew Leckie put his body on the line to lead his side to the A-League championship and he won the Joe Marston Medal as best player because of it.
Leckie had his nose taped to his face and he played in that condition for the bulk of the second half, making a host of vital plays in the unexpected role of a midfielder.
City won the grand final 1-0 on a first-half goal from Israeli international Yonatan Cohen in front of more than 29,000 fans at AAMI Park.
Leckie spent much of the post-game in the team's medical room after opting to play on after having his nose slashed open after an accidental boot to the face.
He was able to celebrate with his teammates and accept his medal and the A-League's 'golden toilet seat' trophy, but City coach Aurelio Vidmar and City officials both said once he removed the tape, his nose 'blew up' and is potentially broken.
Leckie put on a fearless display, blocking a goal-bound shot from Victory's Zinedine Machach in the first half and giving his side a speedy, physical presence in midfield.
'I didn't feel dizzy or get that sort of concussion feel,' Leckie told Channel 10 post-game.
'I didn't see the replay, so I don't know, but I've heard I will probably look like a different person tomorrow, but if we came away from this game with a loss and I look like this it would sting a bit, but it is all worth it now.
'I have probably got two hours in a doctor's room now, but we will see how it goes.'
It is unclear if he will be able to join the Socceroos for their must-win qualifier against Japan in Perth on Thursday night and in Saudi Arabia next Wednesday morning.
The Socceroos are yet to name their squad, but Leckie was expected to be one of the grand final players to join the team.
'He looked better before. I think he has gone 15 rounds with Mike Tyson – he's pretty banged up,' Vidmar said.
'I don't think it is concussion. He got studded on the face, he's got cuts and he may have even broken his nose, but I don't know at this stage.
'He was enormous tonight for us. We let the Ferrari out of the garage, and he just played an incredible game.'
Leckie had a horror season battling hamstring and calf injuries, which kept him to just 15 games, and he made his only start of the finals series in the grand final.
'He had a lot of issues this year, [and] a lot of issues going into the grand final, but he's such a tough competitor, a guy who always wants to win and he deserved that medal. He fought to the death.'
City hoped to get between 45 to 60 minutes from Leckie, given the additional running involved in his midfield role, but he played the full game.
Vidmar admitted he couldn't be sure Leckie could take his place in the Socceroos squad, if named in the squad. Socceroos players are expected to head to Perth on Sunday. Victory and Socceroos midfielder Nishan Velupillay is also in doubt after he ruled himself out of the grand final due to an ankle injury.
City captain and Socceroos left-back Aziz Behich is a friend and long-time teammate of Leckie, and he heaped praise on his fearless display.
'I've known him for a long time and it doesn't surprise me he stayed out there,' Behich said.
'I know what type of character he is, and what he's done tonight. To, literally, put your whole body on the line for the boys and this football club – we couldn't have done this without him, and it's a credit to him.'
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12.21am
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Please have a lovely evening and bye for now.
12.13am
'He looks like he's gone 15 rounds with Mike Tyson': Leckie puts nose, body on line for title
By Roy Ward
Melbourne City star Mathew Leckie put his body on the line to lead his side to the A-League championship and he won the Joe Marston Medal as best player because of it.
Leckie had his nose taped to his face and he played in that condition for the bulk of the second half, making a host of vital plays in the unexpected role of a midfielder.
City won the grand final 1-0 on a first-half goal from Israeli international Yonatan Cohen in front of more than 29,000 fans at AAMI Park.
Leckie spent much of the post-game in the team's medical room after opting to play on after having his nose slashed open after an accidental boot to the face.
He was able to celebrate with his teammates and accept his medal and the A-League's 'golden toilet seat' trophy, but City coach Aurelio Vidmar and City officials both said once he removed the tape, his nose 'blew up' and is potentially broken.
Leckie put on a fearless display, blocking a goal-bound shot from Victory's Zinedine Machach in the first half and giving his side a speedy, physical presence in midfield.
'I didn't feel dizzy or get that sort of concussion feel,' Leckie told Channel 10 post-game.
'I didn't see the replay, so I don't know, but I've heard I will probably look like a different person tomorrow, but if we came away from this game with a loss and I look like this it would sting a bit, but it is all worth it now.
'I have probably got two hours in a doctor's room now, but we will see how it goes.'
It is unclear if he will be able to join the Socceroos for their must-win qualifier against Japan in Perth on Thursday night and in Saudi Arabia next Wednesday morning.
The Socceroos are yet to name their squad, but Leckie was expected to be one of the grand final players to join the team.
'He looked better before. I think he has gone 15 rounds with Mike Tyson – he's pretty banged up,' Vidmar said.
'I don't think it is concussion. He got studded on the face, he's got cuts and he may have even broken his nose, but I don't know at this stage.
'He was enormous tonight for us. We let the Ferrari out of the garage, and he just played an incredible game.'
Leckie had a horror season battling hamstring and calf injuries, which kept him to just 15 games, and he made his only start of the finals series in the grand final.
'He had a lot of issues this year, [and] a lot of issues going into the grand final, but he's such a tough competitor, a guy who always wants to win and he deserved that medal. He fought to the death.'
City hoped to get between 45 to 60 minutes from Leckie, given the additional running involved in his midfield role, but he played the full game.
Vidmar admitted he couldn't be sure Leckie could take his place in the Socceroos squad, if named in the squad. Socceroos players are expected to head to Perth on Sunday. Victory and Socceroos midfielder Nishan Velupillay is also in doubt after he ruled himself out of the grand final due to an ankle injury.
City captain and Socceroos left-back Aziz Behich is a friend and long-time teammate of Leckie, and he heaped praise on his fearless display.
'I've known him for a long time and it doesn't surprise me he stayed out there,' Behich said.
'I know what type of character he is, and what he's done tonight. To, literally, put your whole body on the line for the boys and this football club – we couldn't have done this without him, and it's a credit to him.'