After fighting like mad to save their season then powering to the top of the A-League, perhaps it was fitting that Adelaide United finally clinched the premiership without kicking a ball.
The Reds, having played their 27 matches for the season, had to watch their fate unfold on television as Brisbane sought to haul their points tally in against Melbourne Victory on Saturday night.
The equation was simple; Brisbane needed a win to lift the Premiers Plate.
So when the full-time whistle was blown without a goal scored at AAMI Park, Adelaide captain Eugene Galekovic was the happiest man in South Australia.
"We counted down every minute. Time went so slow," he told News Corp. "This is the best moment in my career in Adelaide."
"We're going to enjoy this night, have a bit of a celebration and get back to business."
The premiership comes with qualification to the 2017 Asian Champions League and a week off before hosting a semifinal.
If they win that match, Adelaide will host the grand final on May 1 as the club guns for a first championship.
It's an incredible possibility after a season that began with eight winless matches and talk of mutiny at Coopers Stadium.
Coach Guillermo Amor hailed his players for turning the around their season.
"This is a fantastic achievement for our team and our club," he said.
"We deserve this title because our team has worked very hard all season.
"Even when things were not going so good, we always had belief in one another and in the football we were playing."
He said the club would power on despite the week off, watching next weekend's elimination finals with interest.
"Whichever team we come up against, we will be prepared for and we will go into this game with a lot of confidence," he said.
The Reds will be presented with the Premiers Plate at their semi-final in a fortnight.
It is their first piece of silverware since the 2014 FFA Cup and a first premiership since the inaugural A-League season 10 years ago.