For too long the heartland of Australian football was missing its pulse, then the Western Sydney Wanderers were born.

In the space of two years, the Wanderers have united a region that can be divided by race, religion and sporting affiliations, and in the process conquered a continent to be crowned the kings of Asia.

Back home: Wanderers' coach Tony Popovic with the AFC Champions trophy at Sydney airport on Monday night. Credit:AFP

A feat never accomplished by an Australian team, sparking celebrations this country has never seen.

I'm a rugby league man through and through, always have and always will be.