Quake Strike Late to Seal Back-to-Back Championships Over Phoenix

Macarthur Quake Futsal Club claimed consecutive Futsal Premier League 2 Open Men’s championships with a commanding 4–1 victory over Phoenix Futsal Club at The Centre – Dural on Saturday afternoon.

In warm conditions, the Quake produced a composed and clinical performance to retain their title in a rematch of the 2024 Grand Final, once again proving too strong on the biggest stage.

Macarthur Quake registered the first meaningful chance of the decider when Mark Symington wriggled free, only to be denied by Phoenix goalkeeper James Brunacci. Early set pieces followed for the Quake, but Phoenix defended them comfortably as both sides settled into the contest.

The breakthrough arrived in the 5th minute. Aidan Limbrey delivered a superb ball to Luke Bell, who made no mistake with a simple tap-in to give the Quake a 1–0 lead.

Quake continued to apply pressure, moving the ball sharply as Symington headed narrowly wide. Phoenix responded through Jordan Smylie, who was released by a precise Brunacci pass but flicked his effort wide. Nico Maruli then pounced on a loose ball and fired straight at Quake keeper Bradley Peryman.

Brunacci nearly produced a stunning equaliser soon after, attempting to lob Peryman from distance, only to see the ball crash against the crossbar. Phoenix enjoyed their best spell of the half, creating openings but failing to find a way past a resolute Quake defence. Smylie had two good chances to level the scores, heading wide before going close from a tight angle.

Macarthur finished the half strongly. Symington’s deflected strike rattled the bar, and moments later the Quake doubled their advantage in the 20th minute. A full-court move ended with Shaun Irwin whipping the ball home to make it 2–0 at the break.

Phoenix almost struck back immediately after halftime when Brunacci and Smylie combined again, but substitute goalkeeper Liam Polinsky produced an excellent save. The Quake remained dangerous at the other end, with Limbrey and Adrian Arcuri both going close.

Phoenix continued to press in the second half. Smylie was again denied from a narrow angle, and Isaac Duncan-Daly was unable to slide home from close range. Their persistence finally paid off in the 34th minute, as Brunacci found Smylie once more and the forward fired into the net to reduce the deficit to 2–1.

Polinsky proved decisive moments later, producing two outstanding saves to deny Smylie a second goal—first from a header, then from the follow-up effort. Those saves were quickly rewarded.

In the 37th minute, Bradon Clissold picked out Arcuri, who smashed the ball into the net to restore the Quake’s two-goal cushion at 3–1.

Phoenix turned to the power play in search of a way back into the contest, but the Quake defended valiantly. The result was sealed in the final minute when Symington put the icing on the cake, clipping a strike off the underside of the bar and into the net to make it 4–1.

Speaking post-match, Quake coach Dean Lockhart reflected on the achievement of securing back-to-back titles.

“We decided to go again after last year, keeping most of the squad, and it paid off for us this year with another win,” Lockhart said. “We built throughout the year and were able to deliver a successful performance tonight.”

Match Details
Saturday 20th December 2025
The Centre – Dural

Phoenix Futsal Club 1 (Smylie 34’)
Macarthur Quake Futsal Club 4 (Bell 5’, S. Irwin 20’, Arcuri 37’, Symington 40’)

Phoenix Futsal Club:
James Brunacci, Joshua Moore, Dominic McCann, Matthew Luttringer, Jay Azzopardi, Andrew Ferrara, Connor Slater, Nico Maruli, Isaac Duncan-Daly, Paul Lee, Jordan Smylie
Yellow cards: Slater 34’
Red cards: Nil

Macarthur Quake Futsal Club:
Liam Polinsky, Bradon Clissold, Mark Symington, Aidan Limbrey, Shaun Irwin, Alexander Purves, Danny Martinez, Dean Lockhart, Connor Irwin, Bradley Peryman, Adrian Arcuri, Lachlan Gore, Luke Bell
Yellow cards: C. Irwin 33’
Red cards: Nil

By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)