Newcastle Jets to Honour Anzac Day with Premiers Plate Celebration
In a historic moment for the Newcastle Jets, the club is set to celebrate its first-ever premiership with the presentation of the Premiers Plate on Anzac Day. This special occasion will take place after their match against the Central Coast Mariners at Turton Road, where over 20,000 fans are expected to gather in support.
A Day of Remembrance and Football
The Anzac Day clash holds profound significance as it marks the first time the Jets have played on this solemn day of remembrance. To deepen their connection with the occasion, the entire squad and senior management visited the Newcastle RSL museum in Mayfield earlier this week. There, they listened to a moving address by Nick Reynolds, the executive officer of the 77th Squadron based at Williamtown, with whom the Jets have fostered a closer relationship over the past year.
Eli Adams, a striker for the Jets, emphasized the importance of the day, stating, "Anzac Day is a day of remembrance, respect and reflection. The sacrifice so many people made to give us what we have today. The importance of Anzac Day has to be at the front of your mind. We get to commemorate and celebrate by lifting a plate."
Special Kit and Player Reflections
In collaboration with the 77th Squadron, the Jets will wear a specially designed playing kit for the Anzac Day match, symbolizing their respect and tribute. Captain Kosta Grozos and Eli Adams both shared that the magnitude of winning the Premiers Plate has not fully sunk in yet.
"It hasn't really hit me yet," Grozos admitted. "I'm sure it will on Saturday when we lift that plate." Adams echoed this sentiment, adding, "It hasn't really kicked in yet. We will see a lot more celebration this weekend. I think it will be one of those experiences that, until you've done it, you don't really know what to expect. It's so special to be able to do that in front of the home crowd in Newcastle. It's what you dream of as a child, lifting silverware."
Focus on the Game Amid Celebrations
Despite the upcoming festivities, Grozos stressed that the team remains focused on their performance against the Mariners. "We haven't beaten the Mariners this season," he noted. "That's another thing we need to tick off. They did us a favor by beating Auckland last round, but we're gonna go out there and win this weekend. We've got one game to go before finals start. The Mariners are always a tough team to play against. It's a fixture that we haven't really gone on top of recently. The boys are fired up. We don't want to lose, especially at home in front of our fans on our special day."
Grozos, who is among several players off contract, remains uncertain about his future but is concentrated on the present. "I'm just really focused on the present right now and trying to do as much as I can to bring this championship home," he said.
Adams' Heroic Performance and Team Spirit
Eli Adams played a pivotal role in securing the premiership, scoring both goals in a 2-all draw against Melbourne Victory last round, including a late penalty. This performance moved the Jets four points clear at the top of the table.
Reflecting on his achievement, Adams said, "Having the two goals on the weekend was really special. Not just it being against my old club, but it was a bit of a full circle moment for me after missing a penalty in round one. The moment I missed the first one, my mind was already ready to take the next one. I didn't shy away from anything. A lot of people might not want to, but I wanted to stand up. It's been the characteristic of this whole team. When things have looked tough, we've stood up, trusted each other and believed in ourselves. Against Wanderers, Sydney, Adelaide, and now Victory, we have grabbed three points late or clinched a point. That's shown the characteristic and belief that this team has."
Looking Ahead with Determination
Adams acknowledged that sealing the Premiers Plate early has relieved some pressure but affirmed the team's commitment to continuous improvement. "I don't think it would have changed the way we play, regardless of whether we had to win it this weekend or the way it's gone," he explained. "The pressure is not as much on winning the title, but as we have this whole season, our focus will be on becoming a better team each and every week. That's what's got us here and we're not done yet."
As the Jets prepare for this landmark Anzac Day clash, the fusion of football celebration and solemn remembrance promises to create a memorable event for players and fans alike, highlighting the team's resilience and community spirit.
