Newcastle Jets star Lauren Allan will join a unique club when she runs onto No. 2 Sportsground this weekend.
With the A-League Women’s (ALW) outfit heading home for the first time in 2025/26, the 29-year-old is set to make her 100th appearance against the Western Sydney Wanderers.
She becomes just one of a handful of players to achieve the major milestone at the Hunter organisation.
Allan, who has spent her entire career in Newcastle colours, admitted the occasion felt “extra special” with family, friends and a big crowd expected to attend the fixture.
“I’m stoked,” she said.
“It’s a great achievement, especially being at the one club.”
For years, the ALW season featured just 14 games, making long-term appearance milestones tough to reach.
Only recently, the competition’s expanded to a much longer schedule, giving players more opportunities to build their caps.
That context makes Allan’s feat all the more impressive, with the Jets undefeated and currently sitting fifth on the ladder.
“I didn’t think I’d ever reach it [playing 100 games],” she said.
“It’s kinda crept up on me.
“I’ve only played seven seasons, so to achieve it while I’m still playing and before I turn 30 is great.
“The team’s performance so far this season has been the best we’ve started in a long-time, with four points from two away trips.
“So, a win [this weekend] would make it extra special.”
For Allan, the grind doesn’t end when the whistle blows at full-time as it’s straight back to shift work.
“It’s tough sometimes,” she said.
“Although it is tricky, the girls make it easier… and my work makes it easy as well.
“My boss is great with flexibility and if my job wasn’t so easy going, I wouldn’t be able to do both.
“It’s amazing to have people out there who support women’s sport.
“Steve (Hoyle) and my past coaches have also been really understanding and encouraging when it comes to me juggling both jobs.”
Allan’s off-field situation comes at a moment of real urgency for ALW players, who, through the PFA, are pushing for full-time professionalism ahead of the next Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) cycle in 2026/27.
She believes permanent status would mean more than just financial security as it would give up-and-comers a genuine career pathway.
“It would be good, especially for the young ones coming through,” Allan explained.
“They’ll have a bit more stability and can treat it more like a real career.
“For me, I’ve already planned my career after football, but for them it could be different.”
She added equal support for the men’s and women’s sides could help this vision become a reality, too.
“Soccer is a big sport in Australia, so I don’t see why we can’t get the same backing,” Allan said.
“If we could fund women’s football as strongly as the men’s that would help a lot.
“I think something needs to be done, I don’t believe it’ll happen fast but it’s good to have the support from the PFA to back us.
“They, too, want us to be paid right… so, hopefully it works out in our favour.”
Having recently moved positions, Allan’s now playing right wing-back – a role she’s quickly taken to.
“I kinda love it,” she said.
“I played as a defender when I played with the boys, so I’m used to it.
“I love a good slide tackle and, obviously, I like to run so that’s what Steve has me doing.
“I’ll be going up and down the line, contributing both defensively and in attack.
“Steve’s been really supportive, teaching me how to play the position.
“There are a few things defensively I still need to work on, but I’m really enjoying it.”
Newcastle legend Tara Andrews’ recent return, joining the Jets’ staff as second assistant coach, has pleased Allan as well.
“She’s a really good friend of mine,” she said.
“On tougher days, she’s always there to support me and help lift the mood, which makes a big difference.
“The girls also benefit from having someone of her experience around.”
Leading up to this weekend’s historic showdown, Allan reflected on her journey with the Newcastle outfit.
“Being out on the field with the girls has been an amazing experience… and I never thought I’d get to this level,” she said.
“To celebrate [my 100th] with my family, friends and partner makes it even more exciting.
“It’s all lining up to be a good weekend.
“Hopefully, we can get a good crowd and another win.”
The Saturday 22 November encounter kicks off at 3pm.
For more sports stories:
- Jets rookie Bertolissio keen to grab ALM lifeline with both hand
- Who makes our Milleen Group Women’s Premiership 2025 Team of the Year?
- Hunter teen Bray wants to stay a two-sport sensation… for now
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