A LIGHTNING bolt of euphoria struck Korora last Saturday as the Northern Storm clinched victory in the NCF Men’s Premier League in stunning style.

In a nail-biting showdown, the Northern Storm and Coffs Coast Tigers entered the match deadlocked at 36 points each.

However, the Tigers held the advantage with a superior goal difference of 21.

The anticipation was palpable as the Storm triumphed over Sawtell with an impressive 5-1 victory at Korora, creating an eerie hush of suspense at Korora.

Rather than jubilation, an intense focus took over, and instead of celebrating, the coaches and players reached for their mobile phones to tune into the crucial match at Mclean Street.

30 players and coaching staff converged at the centre of the pitch, anxiously awaiting the outcome from Mclean Street.

After an agonising five-minute wait that felt like an eternity, Northern Storm coach Eric McCarthy erupted with joy.

“Lions beat Tigers 1-0, we’ve won the league!” he shouted.

A surge of celebration ensued as players, coaches, and supporters formed a circle, their voices joining in a resounding cheer followed by singing the club song.

Recalling the rollercoaster of emotions throughout the day, McCarthy reflected, “The game against Sawtell was a strange one, we went 5-1 up in the first half but to be honest we weren’t great by any means.

“The second half, even though we didn’t score, we absolutely controlled the game, dominated possession and did our job,” he said.

McCarthy revealed the inner debate about sharing the Mclean Street scores with his team during the halftime team talk.

“We were getting constant updates from Mclean Street and were in two minds about telling the lads how it was going through the game.

“But we filled them in at half time, things were going our way down there, so just do your job, see out the game and leave it in the lap of the gods.

“Our final whistle went 5-10 minutes before they finished and it was a tense feeling waiting and wishing.

“It’s a fabulous feeling winning the league.

“For me as a European, the concept of a grand final series isn’t something I grew up with and for me the league, top of the ladder are the champions, are the best team of the season and the ones who did it over 20 games.”

As the finals series looms, set to commence on September 2, the top two teams will clash for a direct path to the grand final.

However, the swift turnaround allowed little time for elaborate celebrations.

Northern Storm now faces the Coffs Coast Tigers, battling for a coveted spot in the grand finals at C.ex Coffs International Stadium, scheduled for September 16.

“The celebrations were somewhat subdued,” McCarthy chuckled.

“There wasn’t too much celebrating on Saturday evening, some of the lads aren’t old enough to have a beer and some of the lads treat their bodies like a temple.

“Mine isn’t though, so Sunday morning was tough going,” McCarthy laughed.

“The job is only half done though, yes league champions but the club has never taken out the grand final before, so we still have a massive challenge to take on in the next couple of weeks.

“We’ll be back on the training field again this week, no rest, no slowing down.

“It’ll be good to get out there with a fully fit squad next week and thankfully with us being able to juggle players we’ll be suspension free too.”

After a sluggish start, the Northern Storm’s season gained momentum, spending just one round at the top – the most most important round.

In their last 14 matches, they amassed 33 points from a possible 42 in a league characterised by fierce competition.

Coach McCarthy was delighted with the team’s evolution.

“I think we’re building something special here at the Storm, there’s so much young talent in the club that our story is only just beginning.

“We never expected to be where we are this season, the aim at the start of the season was to be top four, so we’re under no pressure at all coming into next week.

“We weren’t the one’s expecting to win this, we weren’t the ones talking ourselves up, so no pressure, we can just go and play,” McCarthy said.

The Woolgoolga Wolves and Coffs United Lions are set to clash on September 2 in the 3v4 playoff.

The victor will then challenge the loser of the 1v2 encounter on September 9 for a berth in the grand final on September 16.

By David WIGLEY