There are shades of Auckland FC coach Steve Corica in A-League Men grand final hero Cam Howieson.
A Sydney FC great, Corica etched himself into ALM history by scoring the match-winning and lone goal in the inaugural 2005 grand final to gift the Sky Blues victory over Central Coast.
Now 21 seasons on, Howieson paralleled his coach on Saturday, with his 60th-minute goal firing Auckland to a 1-0 decider triumph over Sydney FC.
The moment Auckland FC won their FIRST ISUZU UTE A-LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP đđđ
â Isuzu UTE A-League (@aleaguemen) May 23, 2026
New Zealand's first A-Leagues Grand Final ends in a local fairytale đ„° pic.twitter.com/voyKZfwDoP
Just like inaugural Sydney player Corica, Howieson was one of four inaugural signings for Auckland.
But Howieson had to bide his time, once believing he'd never play professional football, before Auckland came knocking in 2024 at age 29.
The New Zealand international sent a 28,374-strong crowd at Go Media Stadium berserk on Saturday, winning the Joe Marston Medal for his man-of-the-match performance.
He is the first New Zealand-born player to earn the honour, with Auckland the first Kiwi team to win an ALM championship.
Howieson is also the first non-Australian player to win the medal since Englishman Ryan Edmondson's heroics helped Central Coast pull off a historic treble in 2024.
"I probably had to bide my time a little bit," Howieson said.
"I probably didn't think at 30 years or going into my 30s there was going to be a professional club here in Auckland.
"I have a daughter that's in a wheelchair, and has some complications - I don't want to get into it too much tonight.
"It's been my decision to stay locally. I still had the chances to go oveseas and play professionally, but that was my decision.
"When I heard there was going to be a club here in Auckland, I wanted to be a part of it and what a special journey.
"I'm not born here in Auckland, but I feel like I'm an Aucklander, I've been here for that long now."
Sitting side-by-side in the post-match press conference, Corica glowed with pride.
"That's what I'm talking about, great people," Corica said of Howieson.
AUCKLAND FC SCORE FIRST IN THE GRAND FINAL đ”đ„ LISTEN TO THE NOISE AT GO MEDIA STADIUM!
â Isuzu UTE A-League (@aleaguemen) May 23, 2026
Cam Howieson - Auckland's inaugural signing - puts the Black Knights ahead on the biggest stage in front of the Port.
You couldn't script it any better if you tried đ„č
Watch #AKLvSFC live⊠pic.twitter.com/JpDqNFrkeb
Having never scored an ALM goal before the grand final, Howieson admitted he thought golden-boot winner Sam Cosgrove had nabbed the match-winner.
His shot had deflected off the outstretched foot of a Sydney defender past goalkeeper Harrison Devenish-Meares.
"It felt like the ball was in the air for a long time," Howieson said.
"I thought 'Cossie' scored, I thought he flicked it on.
"As soon as it went in the back net, he turned around and was pointing to me.
"What a time to score my first goal."
While Corica has one more season left on his contract, Howieson's future is up in the air.
"We'll see what comes," Howieson said.
AAP travelled to Auckland as a guest of Australian Professional Leagues.
