Beaten down, battling and often fighting for survival, Newcastle will embrace a rare taste of favouritism in the Australia Cup final.
The Jets are taking on fairytale story Heidelberg United in Saturday night’s showdown at Lakeside Stadium on 4 October.
It is Newcastle’s maiden Australia Cup decider and its first major opportunity, since its 2017-18 grand final defeat to Melbourne Victory, to secure silverware since capturing the A-League Men’s (ALM) premiership-championship in 2007-08.
After an ownership takeover, former Socceroos captain Mark Milligan has taken the reins and enjoyed a dream start as coach following the efforts of Rob Stanton over the past two seasons.
As the only remaining ALM club left, the Jets are favourites against Heidelberg, who already beat Western Sydney, Wellington and Auckland FC.
“We want that expectation in terms of making finals, in terms of playing in big games,” Milligan said.
“It’s something that we need to embrace.
“So, it is a good challenge for us early on.
“Yes, we’re towards the end of pre-season, but this is a new journey for the group as well, trying to implement a different way of playing, a different way of thinking, to what they’ve had before.
“… To have this opportunity so early on in this journey that we’re on now is a fantastic opportunity.
“And, regardless of whether we’re favourites or not favourites, we have to capitalise on the moments more, on the occasion, on us becoming a better team and on the opportunity to win silverware.”
The Jets mentor joked Football Australia was putting on a bus to bring down captain Kosta Grozos’ big family as part of a sold-out Newcastle bay – but put the onus on his players to deliver.
“This kind of success is something that the club has been starved of for a long time,” he said.
“It’s been a long time since they’ve had the opportunity to play for a major trophy.
“So, it’s important that we put on a performance for them.”
Midfielder Grozos is relishing the change-up under Milligan after years in the doldrums.
“It’s my fifth year here now. So yeah, it’s very special,” he said.
“First time for me as a professional to be in a final and I’m sure it is for most of the other boys.
“So, we’re excited.
“We’ve made a lot of signings, a lot of boys I feel like want to be here, which is a good thing.
“The guys play for each other.
“We have a mix of good older and younger boys that push each other and what not.
“It’s a good change.”
The Jets are without Young Socceroos midfielder Alex Badolato (U20 World Cup) and attacker Eli Adams (hamstring).
Kick-off takes place at 7.40pm.
For more sports stories:
- Cup build-up ‘business as usual’ for Jets mentor
- Former Knight Meaney takes NRL lessons after grand final loss
- Jets’ women lock in new training hub at Glendale
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