Season Review – Newcastle Jets

 

Season Review – Newcastle Jets by Todd Blackwell @rawprawn25

So, Season 9 of the Hyundai A League and the roller coaster ride, that is the Newcastle Jets continued, from the highs of an early season top 3 spot and the triple take three of the current champions, to the lows of jump starting the Heart’s season, and going down 3 zit to “the Smurfs”.

We went Heritage Green away, we sacked GVE and appointed an interim coach, the Squadron relocated to Bay 60, the “Golden God” returned, they went bald, a lot of us wore pink, we played and suffered serious Carnage at times, the ChipasaurasRex won the golden boot and still Newy failed to make the final six, again.

The Masterminds

Despite having a huge respect for the man who won us the Seat in ’08, Gary van Egmond’s theory on bringing possession based, “next gen” football to the A League, has only met with moderate success, after a shocker start to a season, and “mini” early season come back, Newy soon slumped back into the inconsistencies that have plagued our recent campaigns.

This led to the mutual parting of GVE and The Jets and appointment of interim coach Clayton Zane in Round 16, other than the home goal fest in Round 23, against Wellington, little changed for us.

Marquee Player & Best players

International Marquee

Emile Heskey

The Big H, struggled for match fitness for much of the season and with only a goal and two assists, like the other IM’s in the A League, seemed to suffer from “second season syndrome”

Still loved the fact we had EPL legend playing for Newcastle.

Best players

Adam Taggart

A cracker season from the Young Socceroo in front of goal, not only saw him take out the A League Golden Boot with 16 goals, but should see him on a plane to Brazil for the World Cup.

Ruben Zadkovich

The Newcastle Jets captain is the season long, 90+ minute, 110% man of Newy Football.

Notable Mentions

Joel Griffiths and Dave Carney

Both mid season imports provided Newcastle with an experience and a dynamic flare, sadly missing for much of our season, really impressed by both, total class, just goes to show, there will never be a substitute for feet on experience. 

 

Best and Worst Performances

Best

• The 5-0 thumping of the Wellington Phoenix, topped off by that 20 metre volley by ex EPL legend Michael Bridges, will be a game long remembered at Hunter Stadium.
• The triple take three of ’13/’14 Premier’s Plate and Seat winner’s Brisbane Roar, a close second.
• I can’t not mention the WSW away game the Jets won 2-0 to remain undefeated at Pirtek.
• And the 100 odd Newy Faithful that out sang the RBB, a day forever written into “Newy Folklore”.

Worst

Going down to Melbourne Heart 3-1 in January, end of story.

Hey, hope the Heart don’t lose their short but colourful heritage in the take over, good luck guys.

 

Season Lows

Drawing, then going down to the Central Coast twice in one season in the F3 derby. The look on Hutcho’s face as he took the piss out of the travelling fans at “Bluetongue”, was like getting hit by the 224 from Wallsend.

Must admit getting totally “Smurfed” by Sydney FC didn’t help our Season 9, either.

 Key Departures

EPL and A League legend Michael Bridges has finally decided to hang up the boots, taking over the Emerging Jets Coaching Position, should do a great job with our future stars.

A club statement released mid week has stated, Joey Gibbs, James Brown and home town boy Josh Mitchell will not be resigned for next season

By mutual agreement young defender, Connor Chapman, has also parted ways with the Jets, effective immediately.

 What Next

New season, new coach, new culture, the Jets Board this week appointed former Adelaide United assistant coach, Phil Stubbins on a two year contract. He seems to have a different football mindset then some of our previous coaches, and will hopefully take Newcastle forward in the future, seems like a good bloke too.

Great to see Clayton Zane get the assist, don’t think he had enough time to really implement change.

 I hope the board at Newcastle has the ability to retain as much of the “next gen” talent we have here as possible, this is our league, we should be showcasing our talent from here in Australia, not from a bench overseas

P.S. Note to Newy Board –

Thanks heaps for not appointing an Ex Coastie as head coach

We play better with a Griffo in our attack, sign the Golden God, please

Final Verdict

C+ We tried hard, we just didn’t succeed. A club loaded with the best next generation and experienced footballing talent in the country, when they’re on, we’re white hot, when we’re not it’s normally a shocker. Dominating large parts of the game in your own back third doesn’t win games, though.

The change in culture, Phil Stubbins is hoping to bring to Newcastle could change that, all the best mate.

Stats

Most starts – 27 – Ruben Zadkovich

Most goals – 16 – Adam Taggart

Most Cheese – 9 – Kew Jaliens

Wins at the Fortress – 5

Biggest Crowd – 16,634 v WSW  yeah, the RBB on Tour, has boosted many a home crowd figure this season, huge respect.

A huge congrats to the ex Newy Legends now residing at WSW and Brissie Roar on their Grand Final performance, another fantastic decider, fans are forever.

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