Newcastle Jets recruit vows goals as Merrick takes charge

Irish striker Roy O’Donovan trained with his new Jets teammates for the first time on Monday and liked what he saw as Ernie Merrick put his side through a tough opening session.

O’Donovan spent two years at the Mariners – scoring 19 goals in 45 games – but has made the move up the M1 to a new-look Jets side looking to break a seven-year absence from the Hyundai A-League Finals Series.

ROY EYEING GOALS

Newcastle have lacked an out-and-out goal-scorer in recent seasons but O’Donovan believes he’s the man to fill the void at McDonald Jones Stadium.

“That is a responsibility I am excited by,” O’Donovan told the Herald.

“You set out wanting to do better than the year before. Once the season gets going, maybe seven or eight games, you know where you stand. You make a target then.

“That is what I promised to bring – a lot of energy to the shirt and some goals.”

AMBITIOUS O’DONOVAN OUT TO PERFORM

The 31-year-old revealed his decision to join the Jets was brought about his desire for success and believes Newcastle are well-placed to challenge the league’s bigger sides next season.

“I am ambitious and still have aspirations of playing for my country,” O’Donovan said.

“I could have easily signed for a couple more years at the Mariners, coasted along, nice lifestyle, but that is not me. I’m here to win things and threaten to win things.

“If you went up to mid-February, you would say the Jets aren’t far away. Add five or six on to that who know this league and have won things in this league, a new manager … the club is starting to structure itself right.”

JETS’ NEW-LOOK STRIKEFORCE

O’Donovan joins former Brisbane Roar attacker Dimi Petratos as new additions to Newcastle’s front line, while Ernie Merrick is also keen to add a foreign attacking midfielder to the mix.

And with last-season’s leading scorer Andrew Nabbout and Finnish striker Aleksandr Kokko back on deck, O’Donovan is confident the Jets will have plenty of goals in them.

“To score goals what you need is plenty of service,” O’Donovan said.

“With Nabbout, Petratos and an attacking midfielder to come it looks good. Steve Ugarkovic, Devante Clut, Aleksandr Kokko, they can influence games in different ways.

“If everything goes right behind me, we will surprise a lot of people.”

Source  :  Football Federation Australia

Hyundai A-League season 2016/2017 review: Newcastle Jets

A tough season for Newcastle Jets saw the club finish with the wooden spoon and coach Mark Jones pay the price with his job. We look back at a rollercoaster season in the Hunter and what 2017/18 could have in store.

Position: 10^th

Record: Played 27, Won 5, Drawn 7, Lost 15

Goals: 28

Conceded: 53

Leading Goal Scorer: Andrew Nabbout (8)

Best home crowd: 11,873 – Round 4 against Sydney FC

Star performer: Andrew Nabbout

On his return from Malaysia, the former Melbourne Victory winger was Newcastle’s best attacker and top goalscorer with eight. On his day, he could cause problems for even the most proficient defenders with an ability to carry the ball at pace, beat opponents and unleash powerful goal-bound efforts. On many occasions he was a one-man band though with his attacking team-mates never reaching his level of consistency.

Breakout player: Jack Duncan

The young stopper relished the chance to be the number one goalkeeper after just eight Hyundai A-League appearances in four previous seasons. After a year with Randers FC in Denmark, the former under-20 and under-23 international started all but two games in 2016/17 and produced a series of excellent performances.

Goal of the year: Wayne Brown

The Jets’ first goal of the season was their best. Freshly-arrived English import Wayne Brown had already displayed his goalscoring prowess in the FFA Cup and repeated the dose on his Hyundai A-League debut, wriggling cleverly between two Adelaide defenders on the edge of the penalty area before firing an unstoppable right-footed volley past the despairing dive of Eugene Galekovic.

Highlight: The round two 4-0 hammering of Brisbane

Roar came to McDonald Jones Stadium in mid-October and received a good old-fashioned thrashing, with the Jets scoring four unanswered goals to record their biggest win since March 2014. Leading 1-0 into the last half-hour, Newcastle took control with goals from Nigel Boogaard, Steven Ugarkovic and former Roar player Devante Clut to the delight of the home faithful. The victory took Newcastle to the giddy heights of third on the Hyundai A-League ladder and was followed by a come-from-behind 2-2 draw at Western Sydney.

Lowlight: The end-of-season capitulation

The round 17 win over Melbourne City propelled the Jets into sixth spot and sparked real hope of finals football. Unfortunately, it was all downhill from there with Newcastle failing to win another game and collecting just two points in the final ten games of what became a wretched campaign.  Bright spots in the season’s final weeks were almost impossible to find, with six straight defeats and not a single goal from open play.

What they need:

It’s a rather long list, but CEO Lawrie McKinna has ticked off perhaps the most crucial item by hiring Ernie Merrick as the club’s new head coach. With an entire pre-season to recruit and work with his playing group, the wily Scotsman has plenty of time to mould the squad into a far more competitive unit. The likely departure of Andrew Hoole along with Morten Nordstrand’s exit leaves a hole in the attacking stocks while further back, a defence that leaked 53 goals at an average of close to two per game also needs solidifying.

Acquisitions for next season:

Ernie Merrick (coach), Roy O’Donovan, Kosta Petratos, Daniel Georgievski

Losses for next season:

Morten Nordstrand

Outlook for 2016/17:

A new coach brings the opportunity for a fresh start at the Jets. Ernie Merrick’s experience in the Hyundai A-League, ability to recruit shrewdly and attacking instincts may just provide the catalyst for a Newcastle revival. The arrivals of O’Donovan and Georgievski are also exciting acquisitions. Fans in the Hunter Valley have waited far too long for a return to finals football and for such a proud club in a vibrant footballing region, their club’s continued underperformance is both frustrating and puzzling. If Merrick can bring the right players to the club and instill belief and confidence into his squad, a return to the glory days is certainly possible.

 

Source : Football Federation Australia

Newcastle Jets will play Chilean side Audax Italiano on Saturday 8 July 2017

Hyundai A-League club Newcastle Jets will take on four-time Chilean League champions Audax Italiano this July in an international pre-season friendly at McDonald Jones Stadium.

Presented by VisionMAX, Audax Italiano will challenge the Jets at the region’s premier sporting venue on Saturday 8 July from 7:00pm.

‘Los Tanos’ hail from La Florida, just 20 kilometres southeast of the Chilean capital Santiago.
Founded in 1910, Audax Italiano are today recognised as one of the premier development clubs in the football fervent South American nation.

Audax Italiano are currently competing in the 2016/17 Chilean Primera División Clausura, which they will complete in mid-May away to Unión Española.

The side’s 2017/18 Chilean Primera División Apertura campaign is scheduled to start in late July, meaning the match will serve as crucial preparation for both teams leading into their respective seasons.

 

Newcastle Jets Chief Executive Officer Lawrie McKinna visited Chile with club owner Martin Lee plus Victor Vives – who is the Director of VisionMAX – in March.It was during that fact finding and friendship forming mission that the international friendly fixture was finalised.

“Audax Italiano may not be a household name in Australia however they are a very competitive and financially sustainable club playing in a challenging 16 team league, so this represents an unique opportunity for us to be exposed to and interact with a club that we would not otherwise encounter,” McKinna said.

“This match will take place at the end of the second week of our pre-season and will most likely provide our members and fans with their first opportunity to witness our new recruits in the flesh against a quality opponent.”

Newcastle Jets vs. Audax Italiano – 2017 International Pre-Season Friendly presented by VisionMAX
When: Saturday 8 July 2017
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Kick-off: 7:00pm
Tickets: Tickets available via Ticketmaster
Social Media: Join the match conversation using #NEWvAUDAX

 

Source : Football Federation Australia

Newcastle Jets are exploring an option to form a partnership with a Chilean club

Chinese owned Hyundai A-League club Newcastle Jets will explore an invitation to form a partnership with Chilean first division club that sees the club as a bridge to the Chinese Super League.

Chinese owned Hyundai A-League club Newcastle Jets will explore an invitation to form a partnership with Chilean first division club that sees the club as a bridge to the Chinese Super League. 

This partnership could potentially see players exchanged between the clubs and the link used as a gateway into the booming Chinese Super League.

 

According to a report in Thursday’s Newcastle Herald, the Jets are in talks with the South American club over hosting a pre-season clash at McDonald Jones Stadium in July, as part of a wider relationship with the club.

Safe travels to Jets Chairman Martin Lee & CEO @LawrieMcKinna who are off to La Florida, Chile today to meet with @audaxitaliano! ✈️

— NEWCASTLE JETS FC ✈️ (@NewcastleJetsFC) March 8, 2017

Jets CEO McKinna excited by potential

“Audax Italiano approached us through a match-agent based in Australia and are flying us over for discussions. It would be great to play against a top Chilean side.

“We will also talk about the potential for their players to come here to play for the Jets in the A-League and on-selling them to China. They want to talk about that and also getting a Chinese player to play in Chile to open up the market for them.”

 

What’s next for Jets?

With the Hyundai A-League’s split round 23, the Jets have this weekend off before taking on Melbourne City at AAMI Park on Saturday, March 18.

Mark Jones’ side are currently in eighth spot on the ladder, three points from the top six with five games to go.

 

Source : Football Federation Australia

Newcastle Jets 0-0 Melbourne Victory – Hyundai A-League 2016/2017

Newcastle Jets have moved back into the Hyundai A-League top six despite being held to a 0-0 draw against Melbourne Victory on at McDonald Jones Stadium Monday night.

In a match rescheduled from Saturday due to the weekend heatwave in the Hunter, the Jets dominated and had the better of the chances against a sluggish Victory.

Chinese import Ma Leilei and midfielder Steven Ugarkovic both drew smart saves from Lawrence Thomas in a cagey first-half.

 

The Jets continued to threaten after the break with Thomas denying Hoole again, while Morten Nordstrand and Andrew Nabbout also went close for the home side.

Victory’s best chance came 17 minutes from the end when defender Daniel Georgievski struck the base of the post with a powerful effort from distance.

In the end neither could find a breakthrough as the Jets leapfrogged Western Sydney Wanderers into sixth spot, while Victory stay in second, 11 points behind leaders Sydney FC.

CROWD

6233 @ McDonald Jones Stadium

Re-live the match action on Twitter

@ALeague , @NewcastleJetsFC ,  @gomvfc , #NEWvMVC

A point a piece after grueling 90 minutes. The point moves @NewcastleJetsFC into 6th position. #ALeague Stats: https://t.co/1GAuOQi0B9 pic.twitter.com/IJSRouFV93

— Hyundai A-League (@ALeague) February 13, 2017

Source : Football Federation Australia

Football Federation Australia moves Newcastle Jets v Melbourne Victory clash due to heat

Newcastle Jets’ clash with Melbourne Victory has been rescheduled to Monday 13 February.

Thursday, 9 February 2017 –

Staff writer

Football Federation Australia (FFA) has today made the decision to move the Hyundai A-League match between Newcastle Jets and Melbourne Victory from Saturday afternoon (5.35pm) to Monday night, in line with the FFA Heat Policy.

New South Wales is expected to experience extreme heatwave conditions on Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning and decision was taken to move the match following today’s updated forecast indicates that the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) will be around 34.3 at the scheduled kick off time.

The FFA Heat Policy states that drinks breaks should be implemented if the WBGT is between 26 and 27.9 with consideration to delay and postponement if it exceeds 28.

The match will now kick off at 7.50pm at McDonald Jones Stadium (Newcastle) on Monday night (13 February) to ensure player safety was adhered to under the FFA Heat Policy.

“Today’s forecast leaves no doubt that the conditions on Saturday in Newcastle will be significantly above the thresholds we have in place under the FFA Heat Policy so we have made the decision to move the Newcastle v Melbourne Victory match to Monday night,” said Head of the Hyundai A-League Greg O’Rourke.

“Taking into consideration the obvious player welfare concerns as well as the need to give players, teams and fans the best possible opportunity to plan for the match, moving the match to Monday night is the only decision we could make.

“We have spoken to both clubs who have welcomed the decision.”

All other Hyundai A-League matches and the Westfield W-League Grand Final are scheduled to go ahead as per the fixture.

Hyundai A-League – Thur 9 Feb	Sydney FC v Wellington Phoenix	Allianz Stadium	7.50pm
Hyundai A-League – Fri 10 Feb	Adelaide United v Perth Glory	Coopers Stadium	7.20pm (7.50pm AEDT)
Hyundai A-League – Sat 11 Feb	Melbourne City v Brisbane Roar	AAMI Park	7.50pm
Hyundai A-League – Sun 12 Feb	Western Sydney Wanderers v Central Coast Mariners	Spotless Stadium	5pm
Westfield W-League – Sun 12 Feb	Perth Glory v Melbourne City	nib Stadium	4.30pm (7.30pm AEDT)
Hyundai A-League – Mon 13 Feb	Newcastle Jets v Melbourne Victory	McDonald Jones Stadium	7.50pm

Football Federation Australia

Newcastle Jets fans created this homage to former star David Carney before he moved to the Sky Blues last season

Football Federation Australia

Newcastle Jets to replace Scott Miller with local coach: Lawrie McKinna

Newcastle Jets CEO Lawrie McKinna says the club will appoint a local coach to replace the sacked Scott Miller for Hyundai A-League season 2016/17.

In a shock move just a month out from round 1, the Jets announced on Wednesday they had “parted ways” with Miller after just one season at the helm.

With the club to open their season at home to champions Adelaide United on October 9, the Jets want a new coach on board as soon as possible.

“There isn’t enough time to go through the process for an overseas coach, so it is safer to look at home,” McKinna told The Australian.

“We need to get someone in place as soon as possible given the competition starts in a month.” Current assistant coach Luciano Trani, Sydney United 58’s Mark Rudan, Westfield FFA Cup specialist Arthur Papas, Damien Mori (Adelaide City) and ex-Wellington and New Zealand coach Ricki Herbert have all been linked with the post. Miller’s axing comes just a handful of days since the club returned from a tour of China, where they won all three matches against Liaoning Whowin FC, Eastern SC and Kitchee SC. “There’s never a good time to part ways with a coach, but to do one when things have been going well, with pretty good results, it’s the last thing that I was expecting,” McKinna was quoted in the Newcastle Herald. “But this is what’s happening and we have to deal with it in the best way possible and make sure the playing group is not affected and we can move on and appoint the right coach who’s going to take the club where we want to go.

“I’ve spoken to most of the boys and obviously all of them were surprised and some were disappointed,” the CEO added. “Everybody’s different, but they are in a football environment and these things happen.” Miller, who was recommended to the club by Caltex Socceroos boss Ange Postecoglou, guided the Jets to eighth spot last season. After a strong start, they ended the campaign with eight wins, six draws and 13 losses, making it six straight seasons without finals football for the club.

Football Federation Australia

Newcastle Jets part ways with Scott Miller

Former Newcastle Jets coach Scott Miller.

Wednesday, 7 September 2016 –

@NewcastleJetsFC

Newcastle Jets have announced that the Club has parted ways with Head Coach Scott Miller, effective immediately.

The Club’s ownership and senior management made the decision on Wednesday morning based on differences related to football matters within the Club.

Since the decision was made Newcastle Jets Chief Executive Officer Mr Lawrie McKinna has met with Miller to discuss his departure from the Club.

“We acknowledge that the timing of this decision is far from ideal given the close proximity of next Hyundai A-League season,” McKinna said.

“But once the decision was made to move in a different direction regarding the Head Coach role we deemed it to be in everyone’s best interests to act quickly.

“We thank Scott for the work he has done at the Club since being appointed by Football Federation Australia (FFA) last year and wish him well in his next position,” McKinna concluded.

McKinna has sought to notify all Club players and staff today.

No timeframe has yet been set for the appointment of a new Head Coach at Newcastle Jets.

The Newcastle Jets first team squad will return to training on Friday in preparation for Sunday’s friendly with Edgeworth FC at Jack McLaughlan Oval.

 

Football Federation Australia

Newcastle Jets transfer radar spotlights a ‘Fornaroli’ signing

Scott Miller says the Jets will look to add more signings to their squad over the next 4-6 weeks. 

Newcastle Jets started their pre-season campaign on Monday with coach Scott Miller still hoping the club will find the next Bruno Fornaroli as he seeks to boost the side’s goal tally in Season 12 of the Hyundai A-League.

Miller has only recently returned from more than a month on a scouting mission of both the UK and Scandinavia.

He’s hoping to finalise deals for at least two or three more players over the “next four to six weeks”.

“They are the definitions and the difference. You look at a solid [number] nine and the influence [Bruno] Fornaroli had last year at Melbourne City,” Miller told reporters on Monday when asked if his next few signings would be the difference between a good season or a great one for the club. “That was a risk bringing him in there and he repaid that. Now his reputation has grown. “He’d be on the table for a club like us at this stage. We need to find a player that plays in our system but also supports the culture we’ve got. “I won’t shy away from their ability both technically and tactically, that’s important, but they also need a work ethic and drive to join the club.” With new owners the Chinese based Ledman Group and a hungry playing group, these are the start of what could be exciting times.  The Jets missed the finals for a sixth straight season in Season 2015/16 but have made some key acquisitions as they look to rebuild. Midfielder Wayne Brown has arrived from Finland, winger Andrew Hoole is back in town while youngsters Devante Clut, Jack Duncan and Daniel Alessi all have points to prove. But it’s the front third that Miller has identified as the key area his side must strengthen to make a return to the finals. “You look at our goals last year, 28 goals scored. You need to be scoring 40-plus to be successful at this level,” the Jets boss conceded. Miller said the Jets were hoping to play as many as nine matches games in pre-season including a possible tour of China in August. Asked how pivotal this pre-season was with all the changes at the club over the last few weeks, Miller said: “It’s nice to hear anticipation [around Newcastle] especially from where we’ve been and the negativity that was attached to it. “To have ambition and expectation [again] from the community [is great] but more importantly their support is more important at this stage. “I’ve asked every player to be reflective every day and more importantly be present every day. Some players you don’t know they are here some days,” Miller added. “I want players to have an identity, I want them to develop every day and take accountability on that development.” He added: “The first sight of the squad, especially today, the dynamic side of the players we’ve brought in and their age profile is very pleasing but they have that ability to play in pockets and play forward with speed and mobility and that’s very exciting for the team.”

Football Federation Australia