In front of more than 50,000 delirious fans at Suncorp Stadium last night, a goal from Brazilian substitute Henrique in the 117th minute and a header from Erik Paartalu with seconds remaining in extra time sealed an astonishing late recovery by the premiers to force a penalty shoot-out in which they were faultless.

Central Coast looked to be heading for victory after goals from Adam Kwasnik (96th minute) and Oliver Bozanic (103rd) put the outsiders in the driver's seat early in extra time after the first 90 minutes failed to produce a goal.

It was exhilaration for the predominately orange crowd, who surely believed at one stage their team, which had dominated the regular season, was doomed to fall at the final hurdle.

It was heartbreak for the gallant Mariners, who looked set to break their grand-final hoodoo at the third attempt. Their shattered players, who surely believed their name was on the trophy, will take some time to get over such a disappointment.

Brisbane showed the guts, determination and class of a champion team. Not for nothing do the most successful clubs in the world win so many games so late in the match, but rarely do they do so in such dramatic fashion on such an occasion as this.

Read more at the Sydney Morning Herald ..