A-League Season 5 - Newcastle Jets, It Begins

Newcastle Jets are the problem child of the A-League, with chairman Con Constantine either angry at the FFA or his own fans.

The Jets lost their Grand Final winning coach Gary Van Egmond on the eve of the season. "Dutchy" as he is known left to take up a job at the Football Federation Australia (FFA) coaching at the Australian Institute of Sport(AIS) in Canberra. The FFA then did an about face after chairman Con Constantine threatened to sue and Van Egmond now works just for the AIS. Thus allowing the FFA and Van Egmond less chance of being sued.

But no fear, Novocastrians, ’sexy football’ disciple and ex-Sydney FC coach Branko Culina is the new boss.

The former coach of other Australian football clubs was at one point citing his then pay masters Sydney FC as being the “Manchester United” of the A-league. After Newcastle Jets come dead last year, will Branko be calling the Jets the “Newcastle United of the A-League?

One hopes not.

A Football Story Prediction:
Somewhere in the bottom four.

FAN CULTURE
The Squadron is situated in the worst home end, which is to the side of the play rather than behind. Being an ultra does not mean you should get a good view of the game.

Key Signing: Ljubo ‘the lip” Milicevic has it all. He is the Byronic hero, the existential character that no-one understands, a football loner. But you know what? If he plays to his potential he should make some Socceroos look over their shoulders


Key Player: Kaz Patafta torn between the romantics and the pragmatists of the coaching world.


Coach Quote: “I’m too sexy football for this league”

Something interesting: The home end is on the side

Fact: The name "Jets" is a reference to RAAF Base Williamtown,

Thought: Will be underdogs and that is the way the like it.

Current Squad: Angelo COSTANZO, Adam D'APUZZO, Donny De GROOT, Tarek ELRICH, Jason HOFFMAN, Marko JESIC, Ben KANTAROVSKI, Ben KENNEDY (gk), Ljubo MILICEVIC, Brodie MOOY, Jason NAIDOVSKI, Shaun ONTONG, Kaz PATAFTA, Sasho PETROVSKI, Sean ROONEY, Jin-Hyung SONG, Matthew THOMPSON (c), Nikolai TOPOR-STANLEY and Jobe WHEELHOUSE.

Re-signed: Jobe Wheelhouse (2 years), Kaz Patafta (2 years).

In: Angelo Costanzo (Adelaide United – 1 year), Donny de Groot (De Graafschap, Netherlands – 1 year), Ljubo Milicevic (Melbourne Victory – 1 year), Brodie Mooy (Newcastle Jets NYL - 2 years), Sasho Petrovski (Central Coast Mariners – 2 years), Nikolai Topor-Stanley (Perth Glory – 2 years), Sean Rooney (Sydney FC NYL – 2 years).

Out: Ante Covic (IF Elfsborg, Sweden), Adam Griffiths (Gold Coast United), Joel Griffiths (Beijing Guoan – On loan), Jesper Hakansson (released), Antun Kovacic (Ulsan Hyundai , Korea Republic), Mark Milligan (Shanghai Shenhua, China), Jade North (Incheon United FC, Korea Republic).

Media:

Official:

http://www.newcastlejets.com.au/

Fan Forums:

http://www.newcastlefootball.net/home/

Radio:

Newcastle Jets have had their games broadcast on 1233am ABC Radio Newcastle in previous seasons and it looks promising that it will happen again this season.

Sunday, 9 August 2009
Newcastle Jets v Wellington Phoenix
EnergyAustralia Stadium, Newcastle
Local kick-off 3.00pm
Referee: Chris Beath

Live & exclusive broadcast on Fox Sports 3 and Sky Sports 1. Hyundai A-League club broadcast partner is 1233 ABC Newcastle, The Radio Network ( Wellington ) 1035AM. To purchase tickets visit www.ProTicket.com.au

Newcastle Jets: Ben KENNEDY (gk), 2. Angelo COSTANZO, 3. Adam D’APUZZO, 5. Ljubo MILICEVIC, 7. Jin-Hyung SONG, 8. Matt THOMPSON (c), 9. Sasho PETROVSKI, 11. Tarek ELRICH, 13. Shaun ONTONG, 15. Sean ROONEY, 16. Jason HOFFMAN, 19. Jason NAIDOVSKI, 21. Brodie MOOY, 20. Neil YOUNG (gk), 22. Kaz PATAFTA

Unavailable: 4. Nikolai TOPOR-STANLEY (knee – 1 week), 6. Ben KANTAROVSKI (knee – 2 weeks), 10. Donny DE GROOT (knee – indefinite), 12. Jobe WHEELHOUSE (ankle – indefinite), 18. Marko JESIC (knee – indefinite)

Wellington Phoenix : 1. Mark PASTON (gk), 2. Manny MUSCAT , 3. Tony LOCHHEAD, 4. Jon McKAIN, 5. DIEGO, 6. Tim BROWN, 7. Leo BERTOS, 8. Paul IFILL. 9. Chris GREENACRE, 10. Michael FERRANTE, 11. DANIEL, 13. Troy HEARFIELD, 16. David MULLIGAN. 17. Vince LIA, 18. Ben SIGMUND, 20. Reece CROWTHER (gk), 21. Marco ROJAS, 22. Andrew DURANTE (c), 23. Costa BARBAROUSES. *four to be omitted