WestSydneyFootball.Com Season 2012/13 A-League Team Preview – Newcastle Jets

The season past for the Jets ended in disappointment as they failed to make the finals. Gary Van Egmond returned to the Hunter to take over from sensationally sacked Branko Culina in the wake of the Jason Culina marquee debacle. Mixed results forced the Jets into a do or die clash against Sydney FC which ended 3-2. The loss meant Newcastle finished the season in 7^th position, 2 points behind 6^th placed Melbourne Heart while Sydney FC finished 5^th.

This pre-season was not devoid of controversy, as Newcastle owner Nathan Tinkler began a row with the A-League and FFA bosses in a disagreement over the cost of the Newcastle license acquisition fee. This came to a head when Tinkler threatened to withdraw from the license. Frank Lowy managed to appease the Jets owner, as Tinkler took back the reigns after a short period.

Nearly a third of the entire squad was released in the off-season. Mario Simic, Kasey Wherman, Jeremy Brockie, Byun, Matthew Nash, Ali Abbas and Francis Jeffers were released to free agency, while Labinot Haliti, Nikolai Topor-Stanley and Tarek Elrich made the trip south to join the new Western Sydney Wanderers.

The focal point for Newcastle is going to be Emile Heskey. A big, powerful target striker with extensive English Premier League experience as well as 62 caps for England, the club will need to take advantage of his ability if they are to challenge for a finals series. The wild card in the pack could be Mark Birighitti. The young stopper has been anxious for a starting role for some years now, after being stuck behind Galekovic. He looks to have a lot of quality and strong performances will galvanise an otherwise middling quality defense.

Newcastle will have an easier first two weeks than most of their competition. Playing Adelaide at home should give them a win. Sydney FC have had a dire pre-season and the 2^nd week match against Newcastle will be overshadowed by events off the pitch, Newcastle will hope for a smash and grab raid to take three points off the underdone Sydney FC line-up. The F3 Derby will present a stern test, while Melbourne Victory at home will offer a measuring stick for the team. Perth Glory away is never an easy trip and the Jets will target a draw.

While Nathan Tinkler does not have much patience for failure, the Newcastle Jets squad is average across the park apart from Heskey and Ryan Griffiths. If those two fail to fire or cannot get good service then the Jets will struggle to push for even the lowest finals position.

I predict that the Newcastle Jets will finish the season in 8th position.

1. Perth Glory
   
2. Central Coast Mariners
   
3. Brisbane Roar
   
4. Melbourne Victory
   
5. Wellington Phoenix
   
6. Sydney FC
   
7. Western Sydney Wanderers
   
8. Newcastle Jets
   
9. Adelaide United
   
10. Melbourne Heart