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The witch is dead ... Arnold final lifts the A-League trophy. Source: Brett Costello / News Limited
Ding, dong, the witch is dead.
That was the late Jack Gibson's famous cry after Parramatta's drought-winning 1981 rugby league win and after Central Coast overcame the Eels' housemates from Parramatta Stadium, Graham Arnold revealed rugby league played a significant role in helping the Mariners to their maiden A-League Championship.
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The jubilant, relieved Mariners boss quoted the late Jack Gibson before revealing that master NRL mentor Wayne Bennett provided the key insight that helped differentiate this Mariners crop from others in the past.
"I've had a wonderful tutor in Guus Hiddink, and Pim Verbeek, but they're overseas," Arnold said post match.
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"I always try to learn, and learn from the best and the best in Australia is (Newcastle Knights coach) Wayne Bennett.
Re-live our live blog of the game, featuring video of the key moments.
"I went and had lunch with Wayne and he was a fantastic mentor for me with his experience.
"He basically said to me: 'I'll tell you how to win a grand final'.
"Good shoulder to lean on and to learn from a guy with a lot more experience than me.
"Even yesterday (Saturday) he said: 'don't play the game today, it's tomorrow, keep them relaxed'."
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Indeed, they looked relaxed, prevailing after so many questions were thrown at them: would they prevail after the AFC Champions League commitments? Could they handle the pressure? Could they finally get the monkey off their back – and would they get a better chance to do so?
Daniel McBreen smashed the penalty hoodoo. And the side closed out the game expertly. There would be no dramatic late twists this time.
"It's actually very hurtful when people write we are chokers," Arnold said.
"We've played three grand finals in seven years before this.
"It's a totally different group of players, two different coaches.
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"That was the motivation.
"Thank you for that."
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Western Sydney Wanderers might have struck the decisive blow in the race for the Premiers' Plate, but Arnold revealed the defeat forced an ironic shift in goals for the Mariners.
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Arnold has long aired his preference for the first past the post system, but seeing the premiership slip away helped the club puts its energy into what the players and the fans so desperately yearned for.
"The motivation after we lost to Western Sydney at home, we changed our goals," Arnold explained.
"We spoke about what we really wanted ... what the players wanted the most.
"We sort of had a vote, the premiership or the grand final.
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"The players went after what the club hadn't achieved and what the supporters wanted.
"That was four or five weeks ago. We re-focused and put a lot of effort into that.
"Mile, Patrick, Hutchinson, the senior players ... had to lead and the young boys will always follow. The young boys were very good again tonight.
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"I'm very proud."
Read the match report of the Mariners grand final victory.
Arnold admits the group had a "perfect week" and it showed on the pitch with a dominant performance, with the side rising to the occasion.
A lot was said about the two fairytales leading into this clash.
But there's no doubt the Mariners have excelled from adversity to hoist the trophy, after their financial hardship earlier this season.
"I leaned a lot on the senior players to keep the group together and we used it as motivation not do derail our season.
"Thankfully, it's all sorted out.
"I wanted to be there for every player and their families to to make sure everyone was okay.
"I had a lot of faith in the PFA and the chairman that something would get sorted out. And it did."
There won't be long for the champagne to flow, with the side back on a plane to face Suwon Bluewings in an ACL clash this week.
The taste and adrenalin of victory will make that trip easier, but once there's time to reflect, this group might look back on their last achievement together as a unit, making this achievement not only special, but timely.
"I never stand in anyone's way," Arnold added.
"We have three young boys I honestly think have reached their maximum development here in Australia.
"If they want to go on and be ... very good Socceroos ... they need to go to another level.
"Playing 27 games a season is not enough.
"They've probably reached their peak with us.
"Maty Ryan is always complaining to me he's never got a save to make; young Bernie Ibini wants to do more; Sainsbury has been excellent.
"I can't answer what the older guys want to do.
"The exciting thing if I stay it will be to re-generate the squad and bring some new kids in."
It might be the end of an era, but with this club's track record, you'd be brave to bet against them being there or there abouts again next year.
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