The Newcastle Jets were unable to give Libby Copus-Brown a win in her milestone A-League Women’s (ALW) match, succumbing 4-2 to the Brisbane Roar.
While the midfielder celebrated her 100th appearance for her hometown club at Spencer Park on Friday 20 March, the result virtually ended the Hunter side’s campaign in 2025/26.
With just two rounds remaining, the Stephen Hoyle-coached outfit needs a miracle to book a berth in the top six.
Newcastle had its chances to leave Queensland with the three competition points.
But, they failed to capitalise with Melina Ayes going close twice and Sophie Hoban missing a golden opportunity minutes before the break.
Despite that, the combatants remained locked 0-all at the interval.
Then the tide turned for the visitors.
A hat-trick to Daisy Brown (47th, 52nd, 62nd) and another goal to Bente Jansen in the 69th minute put Brisbane ahead 4-0.
To the Jets’ credit, they fought all the way.
Natasha Prior pulled one back in the 73rd and Hoban displayed plenty of class to beat rival keeper Tahlia Franco to reduce the margin to 4-2.
Unfortunately, that’s where their charge ended.
“I’m frustrated,” Hoyle said.
“The group worked really hard during the week.
“However, we have been a ‘nearly’ team this season, which is something that we want to change.
“We didn’t show the best version of ourselves [tonight].
“So, I’m very, very disappointed.
“However, we will keep working until the end of the season.”
Newcastle faces Adelaide United (away) and Melbourne City (Maitland Sportsground) to wrap up 2025/26.
Hoyle believes the players need to stay positive.
“With the group we’ve got, the day-to-day stuff during the week is really, really good,” he said.
“Even during the recent rep break, and coming off a bad defeat, the girls still worked so hard.
“So, I’ll never question their effort.
“What I want is for us to show what we are doing during the week at training in the A-League matches more consistently.
“So, that will be our focus moving forward. “We’ve got two more opportunities to do that… and we’ll do the best that we can.”
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