Mark Milligan’s already on a mission to ensure season 2025/26 isn’t a short-lived memory for the Newcastle Jets.
Despite missing out on a grand final berth, thanks to a heartbreaking penalty shootout defeat to Sydney FC at the weekend, the Hunter-based A-League club still had much to celebrate.
It secured the Australia Cup, enjoyed a record-breaking winning streak this year, qualified for the 2026/27 AFC Champions League Elite and captured the Premier’s Plate for the first time.
Milligan, the Socceroos great, also unveiled some prodigious talent among the squad, which will hold the organisation in good stead moving forward.
“I’m looking to what’s next?” he said.
“The boys will have some time to recuperate and regroup because we’ve got another massive season ahead of us next year.
“That’s why it’s so important the feeling they’re experiencing [after Saturday night] remains with them.
“What they’ve done in 2025/26 is outstanding.
“Not just the results but look at (McDonald Jones) stadium; the noise, the crowd (25,082), the people who are turning up.
“We don’t want it to be for now.
“Everyone wants this to be sustainable.
If you want to be a team that is successful, then you must learn from the biggest lesson, which was Saturday night.
Mark Milligan
“We want the people to keep coming back… and that’s down to how we go about our business.
“We’re working hard on and off the park, which won’t stop.
“Just because we tasted some success this season, it doesn’t mean we’ll take our foot off the throttle.
“Everyone is committed to making sure that this is more the norm than a flash in the pan.
“I’m not going to lie, the loss was difficult to cop as we fell short of our ultimate goal.
“But, I’m extremely proud of the group.
“We’ve asked a lot of them from day one and they’ve consistently responded.
“I think you all saw the character of the squad.
“However, it’s been a good year of learnings, too.
“Yes, we’ve witnessed the growth in these players.
“But, at the end of the day, we fell short and they need to remember this moment.
“Because if you want to be a team that is successful, then you must learn from the biggest lesson, which was Saturday night.”
While Newcastle is set to lose several of its stars, including Lachlan Rose and Mark Natta, Milligan had nothing but praise for his troops.
Even with the Jets trailing late in the semi-final, they fought until the final whistle, with Eli Adams’ screamer sending the showdown into extra-time.
It’s a trait, which will continue to come to the fore under the highly-respected mentor.
“All these boys have their own story, and probably seen hardship, to be totally honest,” Milligan said.
“However, this year, they found a way to bring all that together and create a culture that was a winning one.
“An environment where I wanted to go to work every day, not just them.
“A culture where they fully-supported each other and grew as a team.
“Like I’ve stated previously, that’s down to them and how they approached it.
“There were so many opportunities for them to put all of this in the ‘too hard’ basket, or let someone else do it, or sit back and not apply themselves.
“But, at no stage, did I ever feel that with this group.
“There were things that happened all season, as every side goes through, that weren’t football-related.
“The things people write, the things people say.
“There were external pressures all year.
“However, they dug in, worked hard and wanted to give the best account of themselves every single day.
“So, for that, I’m extremely proud.
“I was also able to learn about myself as a head coach while involved with them.”
For more sports stories:
- Jets’ fairytale season ends in heartbreak
- Socceroos great Cahill in line to mend bridge with A-League clubs
- Knights trio named for State of Origin opener
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