Mark Milligan brought together a bunch of youngsters, locals and cast-offs from other A-League Men’s (ALM) clubs and forged them into a team that brought pride back to Newcastle.

As recently as last year, the Jets looked set to go the way of Newcastle’s steel works, in a potential hammer blow to one of Australia’s great football regions.

Now, they have an Australia Cup and Premier’s Plate – plus a berth in next year’s Asian Champions League Elite competition – and their sights set on a championship that would clinch a domestic treble.

“Around town, it’s been buzzing,” defender Daniel Wilmering said.

“Obviously, that was part of what we set out to do this year was to get that buzz and to get the love of football back into Newcastle.

“Because we all know that it’s a region who loves their football and we needed to give the community a team to get behind, which we’ve fortunately done this year. 

“Motivation is definitely to go all the way for them and other reasons as well. 

“But, obviously, with the way we’ve played and the success we’ve had, we’ve shown that if we can put up good fights in games and challenge for finals, challenge for championships, the crowd and community will get behind us.”

Wilmering believes the Jets’ “youthful naivety” and the experience of their Australia Cup run will hold them in good stead ahead of their two-legged semi-final.

“We definitely can lean on that,” he said.

“A couple of lads were just speaking around the change room that we’ve basically got a three-game cup run to win the grand final.

“At the start of the season, we definitely would have taken that opportunity.”

Wilmering is among the Jets who have gone to another level under Milligan, notching eight assists and a goal from left-back.

Max Burgess has starred after being frozen out at Sydney FC while fellow former Sky Blue Clayton Taylor has kicked on, as has ex-Victory winger Eli Adams.

“That’s been part of the motivation individually for some of us,” said Wilmering, 25.

Newcastle knows this special group won’t stay together… and wants to finish on a high.

“We haven’t really spoken about it as such, but we’re definitely thinking about it,” he said.

“We know what we have this year.

“We’ve gelled together really well and all the boys really get along. 

“So, we definitely want to win the grand final… not only for the fans and for the club but for ourselves, too.”

• With AAP

• FOOTNOTE: Sydney FC eliminated Melbourne Victory 1-0, while Auckland FC won a penalty shootout to knock out Melbourne City

ISUZU UTE A-LEAGUE MEN’S 2026 FINALS SERIES

Week 2: Semi-finals (Leg 1), 8-10 May

• Auckland FC (3) v Adelaide United (2), 4pm AEST on Saturday 9 May at Go Media Stadium
• Sydney FC (5) v Newcastle Jets (1), 7.40pm AEST on Saturday 9 May at Allianz Stadium

Week 3: Semi-finals (Leg 2), 15-17 May

• Adelaide United (2) v Auckland FC (3), 7.35pm AEST on Friday 15 May at Coopers Stadium
• Newcastle Jets (1) v Sydney FC (5), 7.40pm AEST on Saturday 16 May at McDonald Jones Stadium

Week 4: Grand final, 23-24 May

• Highest ranked semi-final winner v lowest ranked semi-final winner, Match details TBC

For more sports stories:

• Milligan: I’m so proud of what the young Jets have achieved… so far
• GRNSW defends decision to euthanise greyhound at Maitland meeting
• Supercars should put Central Coast in pole position, says councillor

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