Jets Soar to Top of A-League with Record-Breaking Run
The Newcastle Jets have surged to the summit of the A-League ladder for the first time in eight years, following a commanding 4-1 victory over Brisbane at home last Saturday. This triumph marked a club-record fifth consecutive win, propelling the Jets to 27 points and edging them above Auckland into first place. The team's high-flying form and exhilarating brand of football under coach Mark Milligan have ignited comparisons to the legendary Brisbane side coached by Ange Postecoglou, which secured back-to-back championships in 2010-11 and 2011-12.
Milligan Downplays Comparisons to 'Roarcelona' Era
Mark Milligan, who played under Postecoglou for both the Socceroos and Melbourne Victory, has respectfully hosed down direct parallels between his squad and the possession-based 'Roarcelona' style. "I think there is a distinct difference between the Brisbane side and the way we play," Milligan stated. "They were very much possession-based. Of course, there are things I have taken from a lot of different coaches." He emphasised that the key lesson from Postecoglou was unwavering belief in one's football philosophy, a principle he has instilled in his Newcastle team, now dubbed the "box office Jets".
Echoes of 2017-18 Campaign Under Scrutiny
The last time the Jets perched at the top of the ladder was in November 2017, a season that culminated in a second-place finish and a heartbreaking 1-0 grand final loss to Melbourne Victory due to a VAR malfunction. Roy O'Donovan, a star striker from that record-breaking 2017-18 outfit who has since turned football analyst, sees striking similarities between the two squads. "The beauty of what Mark Milligan is doing and what Ernie Merrick wanted to do was play an exciting brand of attacking football," O'Donovan remarked. He highlighted parallels in player styles, such as deadly set-piece specialists Dimi Petratos and Eli Adams, and elite dribblers like Andrew Nabbout and Clayton Taylor.
O'Donovan pointed to key structural elements bolstering the current team's success:
- Defensive stability: Joe Shaughnessy's arrival has enhanced Mark Natta's role in shaping the team's defensive structure.
- Midfield anchor: Max Burgess has been a linchpin in the No.6 role over the past month.
- Attacking flair: The front five or six players, including Bayliss, Dobson, Adams, Taylor, and Rose, have been thrilling to watch.
Local Talent Fuels Jets' Resurgence
A significant factor in the Jets' resurgence is the infusion of local talent, echoing the 2017-18 squad's core of Newcastle natives. This season features a younger cohort of homegrown players like Will Dobson, Xavier Bertoncello, Max Cooper, and Alex Nunes. "The local boys understand what it means to be from Newcastle," O'Donovan explained. "What it means to play for Newcastle. That means rolling your sleeves up." He noted that local fans have long yearned to see youth system graduates representing the region, and this dynamic is positively influencing imported players, with stars like Eli Adams and Clayton Taylor playing the best football of their careers.
Urgent Call to Secure Squad for Future Success
With Milligan contracted for another year but more than half the squad—including key players Clayton Taylor, Lachie Rose, and Jordy Bayliss—off contract, O'Donovan issued a stark warning. "They need to get the chequebook out," he urged, referencing past club mistakes. He advocated for securing the coaching staff and offering new deals to five or six players, even if already contracted, as a prudent business decision. "For Eli Adams and Clayton Taylor, if someone wants to take them off Newcastle Jets hands, then they get proper remuneration, which they haven't had in the past," O'Donovan added. He outlined the strategic benefits: worst-case, selling them for profit; best-case, retaining them to build a sustained championship contender.
As the Jets navigate the final 11 games of the season, boasting nine wins and a league-high 34 goals, O'Donovan emphasised consistency and humility. "They just need to stay consistent and not get carried away with themselves and they will give it a right shake," he concluded, underscoring the opportunity to forge a special legacy in Newcastle football history.
