The Newcastle Jets are sitting pretty in the top six… but coach Mark Milligan isn’t putting any ceiling on the youngest team in the A-League Men’s (ALM).
Despite entering the weekend clash without captain Kosta Grozos, 2024/25 Player of the Year Thomas Aquilina, suspended Max Cooper and injured trio Alex Badolato, Christian Bracco and Oscar Fryer, the Hunter outfit still managed to upstage the reigning champions Melbourne City 1-0 at AAMI Stadium on Sunday 11 January.
The victory lifted the Socceroos legend’s side into fourth spot on 18 points, just behind Auckland FC (24), Sydney FC (22) and Macarthur FC (19).
It was also the first time Newcastle’s claimed four consecutive wins away from home.
“We’ve gone through some rough, rough patches, and we knew we would,” Milligan said.
“However, it’s how we come out of them.
“The buy-in from this group from day one, and their willingness to work and to believe in what we’re trying to achieve, has been fantastic.
“I see the boys every day… and the effort being put in [at training].
“Honestly, I can’t fault them one bit.
“So, results like Sunday, that’s a little reward for them for their belief in what we’re trying to give to them.”
Milligan also hailed the Jets’ culture for helping absorb the loss of star Badolato and midfielder Bracco to season-ending ACL injuries.
Experienced defender Aleksandar Šušnjar parted ways with the organisation in the past month, too.
“People might credit myself and the coaching staff… and that’s fine,” he said.
“But, it’s the guys who deserve all the praise.
“They’re driving the whole thing, whether it’s at training or on the pitch.
“I think after we captured the Australia Cup, fans took a bit more notice of this team.
“However, an early form slump quickly put things into perspective.
“Also, I didn’t want to place restrictions on what the group could achieve, because they are so young, and they have so much learning in them.
“And, I still think there’s a long way to go for them to realise, I guess, the potential of the squad.
“But, it is important we continue to move forward together.”
Newcastle faces the Western Sydney Wanderers at CommBank Stadium on Saturday 17 January before returning to McDonald Jones Stadium for a showdown with the Wellington Phoenix on Friday 23 January.
A meeting with the Brisbane Roar awaits them on Saturday 31 January.
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- Resurgent Jets snatch away win over Melbourne City
- Players have their say: Denton Engineering Cup’s Top 25 revealed
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