Newcastle christened its maiden A-League Men’s (ALM) premiership with a 4-0 win over Central Coast.
The Jets will storm into a drought-ending finals series on a high after clinching their first F3 Derby win of the season in front of 20,930 fans at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday 25 April.
Star striker Lachlan Rose’s (calf) absence mattered little as local product Will Dobson opened the scoring in the 21st minute before Clayton Taylor added another almost immediately.
Eli Adams then made it three before half-time with his 44th minute header, before Kota Mizunama landed the final blow by capping a brilliant chain in the 86th.
The Anzac Day victory means the Jets (48 points) finish with 15 wins in a fairytale transformation under coach and Socceroos great Mark Milligan.
Bolstered by steady ownership under Maverick Sports Partners, Newcastle will play finals for the first time since finishing runners-up in the 2018 premiership and championship.
They earn a week off alongside Auckland FC in their hunt for an unprecedented domestic treble after winning the Australia Cup in October.
The Jets have won just one championship since the inaugural ALM season, beating the Mariners 1-0 in the 2008 grand final.
Central Coast has now missed the past two finals series after finishing ninth (32 points) under coach Warren Moon.
Tempers flared early when the visitors were denied a 10th minute penalty.
Nathanael Blair went down in the box after a challenge with Newcastle defender Mark Natta, but the video assistant referee ruled the Mariners striker had initiated contact.
Central Coast at least denied its local rivals the iconic F3 Derby trophy, retaining bragging rights after an opening-round 3-2 win before a goalless draw in round 19.
The Mariners had helped the Jets clinch the Prmier’s Plate elast round after pulling off a 1-0 upset to deny Auckland FC back-to-back titles.
Central Coast is now on the lookout for a new coach and owners, with Moon departing for family reasons after replacing treble-winning boss Mark Jackson on the eve of the season.
Unlike Newcastle, the cash-strapped Mariners have been propped up by the Australian Professional Leagues since January.
English championship side Queens Park Rangers have reportedly emerged as the frontrunner to purchase the club.
Treble-winning Central Coast defender Bradley Tapp also featured in his final game after seven years, the 25-year-old leaving his childhood club for Malaysian Super League outfit Johor Darul Ta’zim.
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- 2026 Sail Port Stephens Commodores Cup declared ‘best ever’
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