Jets zero in on A-League finals after flush preseason

With a new coach, new CEO, new roster and new style of play, could the Newcastle Jets be ready to end a finals hiatus that has hampered their course for the past seven seasons? 

LOOKING BEYOND: The Jets' squad during 2017/18 preseason training. Photo: Newcastle Jets

Already in their 2017 pre-season campaign they have knocked off Melbourne City, Sydney FC and Wellington Phoenix.

In 10 trial games over the last three months, the Jets have lost just once in a closed-doors match against their arch-rivals Central Coast Mariners. 

While most of those games have been against inferior opposition, the results are runs on the board; good form.

A cautious assessment of their turnaround over the offseason heeds at suggesting the stars are aligning for the Hunter franchise, but its clear things have changed at the Jets and it’s fair to say their fans should be excited about the season ahead. 

WINNING RUN: Newcastle's results so far this preseason.

After a tumultuous few years following the ownership of Nathan Tinkler, in which the club transitioned from being run by the FFA to eventually being sold to the Chinese Ledman Group, the Jets appear to be a more settled club heading into season 12 of the A-League. 

But it hasn’t come easy.

The wooden-spoon they collected in April was followed by the sacking of then head coach Mark Jones after less than a year in the job. 

His tenure followed the 15-month spell under what the fans were led to believe was a rising coach in Scott Miller, who was touted as one of the best up-and-coming managers in Australian football. 

Miller’s sacking was dealt with by former Central Coast Mariners’ kingpin Lawrie McKinna after just a few weeks into his new Jets’ CEO role. 

Even for the charismatic football veteran, it was some entrance; by all means, one which had the loyalest of fans stirring in dismay at what their team had become. 

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The direction of the club was further questioned once the wooden-spoon was in hand and another coach – Jones – was shown the door.

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But proving old allegiances never die, the wily Scotsman went out and secured the services of countryman and two-time A-League Championship winner Ernie Merrick.  

While Merrick had been on a sabbatical after resigning from the troubled Wellington Phenoix midway through last season and was perhaps considered a risk by some fans, there is no doubting the man’s ability to coach with a career spanning 268 games in-charge and a near four-decade association with the elite levels of football. 

Some astute signings during the mid-year break allowed Merrick to turn-up on day one of preseason with firm optimism about what lay ahead. Recognising the problems that had a plagued Newcastle’s last couple of seasons would be important, but a fresh outlook on what was to come would be essential.

Jets coach Ernie Merrick delivering instructions on Day 2 of pre-season. #ALeague #Newcastle pic.twitter.com/AyGqTxhOXq

— Max McKinney (@MaxMckinney) June 27, 2017

He wasn’t part of the past, so there was little point thinking about it. 

Roy O’Donovan was signed from the Mariners almost immediately after last season finished, Nikolai Topor-Stanley was picked up for a return to the club after four years at the Wanderers and a short stint in Dubai, Daniel Georgievski shifted from Melbourne Victory, and Dimitri Pertratos came from Brisbane Roar to join his brother Kosta – who signed in the January transfer window. 

Whether Merrick was looking for it or not, he’s clearly gained a lot of experience in that crop of signatures. Combined with captain Nigel Boogaard, Jason Hoffman and Wayne Brown, the Jets shouldn’t be short for a leadership group. 

The club’s evolving group of players in Andrew Nabbout, Nick Cowburn and Steven Ugarkovic will benefit from both the strong emphasis of experience in the squad and Merrick’s time spent at the Victorian Institute of Sport before becoming a full-time A-League coach. 

NEW LEADER: Merrick handing out instructions at training. Photo: Newcastle Jets

No doubt Merrick’s focus will be on developing those he has while adding the spice and knowledge of those on the recruited list. 

And the pool of players new to the club was iced with the recruitment of 30-year-old Venezuelan international, Ronald Vergas, just three weeks before the start of the season. 

Ronny, as they call him. 

The final piece of the puzzle according to Merrick. A player who can create goals and score just as many. An out-and-out creative dynamo. 

Signed to play No. 10, the linkage between former Fulham midfielder Wayne Brown, Vargas and striker Roy O’Donovan will be vital to the Jets success. 

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Indeed, it provides a tantalising prospect of the partnerships that could invoke an exciting style of play under the play-to-win desire of Ernie Merrick.

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In the 2016/17 season, the Jets notched just five wins from 27 matches in the A-League. 

A woeful record, really. 

Surprisingly, when they did win; they scored goals. Not once did they win scoring just one goal.

But when they lost, they lost big. Only once in their 15 defeats was it just a single goal they had scored against them. 

The fix? You ask.

With O’Donovan and Vargas ready to add the goals, and Topor-Stanley ready to sure up the defence with Boogaard, there is no reason why the Jets shouldn’t be aiming for the finals if they can remain injury-free.

POLARISING FIGURE: Former Mariners' striker Roy O'Donovan will be in the spotlight this season. Photo: Newcastle Jets

The turnover in players at the club, a fresh outlook, and a successful, confidence-boosting preseason have them locked and loaded for an effective campaign. 

A minimum of 12 wins – just over double what they achieved last season and one more than third-placed Melbourne City in 2016/17 – should be the target. 

It’s bold, but so it should be. 

For a club that has not made the post-season for what’s becoming close to a decade, they must play without fear or in awe of anyone. 

With three home games inside the first five rounds, including an opening-round derby away to the Mariners, by early November it should be clear which way the Jets’ season is headed.   

Perhaps they could have even amassed the perfect start. 

Is four of those targeted 12 wins too audacious? 

SEASON PREDICTION: Fourth. 

Fresh-faced Kangaroos' World Cup backline

On Tuesday night at the Rugby League Players’ Association awards Jarryd Hayne declared he would be forgoing the opportunity to be selected in the Australian squad for the Rugby League World Cup and electing to represent his heritage of Fiji. 

The consummate fullback who first played with Fiji at the 2008 World Cup held in Australia, before then representing Australia at the 2013 tournament held in England and Wales, said the time has come to let the new kids on the block step forth. 

The Australian Kangaroos  Image: RLWC2017

“It’s pretty obvious with the amount of talent and the amount of depth they’ve got,” Hayne told 7 News Sydney.

“I’m pushing 29 now, so I’m a bit older. 

"These young guys definitely deserve their spot.”

.@JarrydHayne is preparing to play for his native Fiji at the @RLWC2017. @josh_massoud #RLWC2017 #7News pic.twitter.com/j1IDzQbquS

— 7 News Sydney (@7NewsSydney) September 12, 2017

While Hayne has chosen to go back to the future in a typically enigmatic decision, he has raised a debatable point about just who Mal Meninga will choose to select in his Kangaroos’ squad for the 15^th edition of the historic tournament. 

In particular, who he will blood in some of the prized positions across the Australian backline. 

Meninga, a coach known for his loyalty to his incumbent players, has indicated in the past that he views the green and gold jersey as one that should be filled by the best player available, regardless of their age.

 Will Meninga stay loyal to Josh Dugan? Photo: Sitthixay Ditthavong 

Given the strength built from the Queensland dynasty which Mal oversaw and the combinations built at the Melbourne Storm, you can assume Billy Slater will likely fill the fullback position with Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk to play hooker, and halfback, respectively. 

Indeed, you could likely say Dane Gagai and Will Chambers are almost certain starters.

But with Greg Inglis and Johnathan Thurston unavailable for the tournament through injury, many questions remain about the rest of the backs. 

On the advice of Jarryd Hayne, here’s a remarkably skilful crop of youngsters who could fill some of the vacant spots in the back five positions come October in a proposed alternative line-up.

Fullback: Tom Trbojevic

Trbojevic’s rise into first grade has been well-beyond the expectations of any 20-year-old in the game. After debuting on the wing in 2015 at just age 18, the Manly junior has filled the void left by Brett Stewart and given us a ‘fresh prince of Brookvale’ with his sensational style of play. 

The dynamic and silky ball runner has never looked out of place on an NRL field and provides a tremendous work ethic from the back for his club side. Yet to play any representative football, Trobjevic has racked up 55 appearances for Manly over the last three years and looks more than ready to make the jump.

An equally as prolific try-scorer as the first prince of Brookie – Brett Stewart – Trobjevic already has 30 tries to his name and would provide incredibly back-up for Slater throughout the six-week competition. 

Wing: Valentine Holmes

Holmes was given the opportunity to play State of Origin football this year by Kevin Walters and he didn’t disappoint, scoring on debut and finishing the series with a hat-trick in the deciding fixture.

Earlier in the year Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga again handed him a national jersey following his successful Four Nation’s tour last season and the Cronulla Sharks' premiership win.

The fact that he represented Australia before he had played Origin given it’s such a rare occurrence in today’s game is enough for Holmes’ not-so-hot club form to be overlooked. Having already played in the national side and now sure to become a permanent presence in the Maroons squad, Holmes is a must for this alternative line-up at the ripe age of just 22. 

Centre: James Roberts 

One of the game’s most lethal attacking weapons, James Roberts' national career should begin at the RLWC in 2017. How he hasn’t played any rep football outside of the indigenous game and a sole City-Origin appearance in 2015 is bemusing. 

While critics will lament his defensive deficiencies, the 24-year-old Brisbane centre is a line-crosser Meninga can no longer ignore. Should the Brisbane Broncos go deep into the NRL Finals, it will likely mean Roberts has plastered his name across the try-scorers’ list.

And while in the past Roberts may have crossed the line off the field, there is no man who could command his trust more than Meninga.

With 17 tries for the Broncos in 2017 from 24 starts, and 58 in a 101-game career so far, Roberts has earned his place. 

Centre: Latrell Mitchell 

Having almost instantly been compared to one of the best centres to ever play the game in Greg Inglis when he came onto the scene in 2016, Latrell Mitchell was probably always going to have a dip in his form after such a scintillating debut season. 

   

But the mid-year shift back to reserve grade and trip up the F3 to play with the Wyong Roos didn’t dent the 20-year-old desire. In fact, it probably made him even hungrier, as the naturally-gifted Taree-product has score as many tries in his second season as he did his first – 14. He has even done it in two less games this time round.

As the youngest player in the backline of youth, Mitchell will need plenty of support should he enter the Kangaroos’ set-up but he will certainly not look out of place. He dusts off the defenders of any team that comes his way and shifts past the men many years his senior like they’re static pieces of training equipment.

 

Wing: Corey Oates

While the form of Dane Gagai in the Origin arena makes him impossible to ignore for selection, these back five have been selected on the premise of youth and at 26, Gagai has just slipped out of consideration. But in his place comes the Broncos’ teetering tower of destruction. 

A rangy winger polar opposite to the icons who previously adorned the edges for Brisbane, Oates has lit-up Suncorp Stadium since 2013, scoring 59 tries in 95 NRL games. If that resume doesn’t scream that his potency to make opposition teams pay, I’m not sure we’re selecting teams the correct way. Even in his four games for Queensland, Oates has nabbed two tries. Impressive, given the traditionally low-scoring affairs.

One element Oates brings different to his fellow players, and one that will be well-needed against potential oppositions, is his height. At six-foot, four inches tall, the 22-year-old will be able to match it with the likes of some of his counterparts, including the athletic Fijian Suliasi Vunivalu.  

The potentially raw and new Kangaroos' line-up.

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Moylan move could dent Panthers revival

The surprising suggestion that Penrith skipper Matt Moylan could be on the way out of the Panthers organisation has the potential to leave the club’s revival with tainted and irreversible damage.

Make no mistake, Matt Moylan is the pin-up boy of the Penrith Panthers. 

He’s talented, has football nous and is a local prodigy. He plays a key position on the field, and is marketable, sleek and has the model looks off it.

PRODIGAL: Matt Moylan. 

If you rewind to Gus Gould’s arrival back at the Nepean in 2011, you’ll remember the gutting and broomstick he put through the club’s roster. You’ll remember the overhaul of the business, the bold statements about being the country’s most recognisable sports brand, and the now infamous five-year plan.

While you might question many of Gus’ claims and hang the plans out to dry, it is undeniable that the influence of Gould has almost single-handedly turned a floundering franchise into an NRL powerhouse.

Just this week, the club put out a statement detailing how every one of their sides had made the finals for only the fourth time in the club’s 50-plus year history. And in a first, they have achieved for a second consecutive year.  

Gould’s revolution was kick-started in 2012 when he brought in Ivan Cleary and began the turnaround.

Almost parallel to the new era was the emergence of Baulkham Hills-born Matt Moylan. 

A local junior who was first off what would turn into a conveyer-belt of NRL players produced from the local Penrith district.

Bryce Cartwright and Matt Moylan have been the leading figures in Penrith's impressive junior-to-NRL transmission rate. 

At fullback, Moylan played in arguably the most prodigious position on the field outside of the traditional owner of rugby league sides, the halfback.  

His playing talents quickly shone through; he began to find his feet in the media appearing on The Footy Show as a regular; and his quick-wit, humour and good looks would have had marketing guru’s rubbing their hands together.

He fitted in perfectly to the commercial and operational redesign of the Panthers at-large. So much so, in 2016 he was handed the club’s captaincy.

It was a valiant decision, and with a squad so young it had the potential to work.

Without drawing a comparison too wild, Moylan has a tinge of former Liverpool footballer Steven Gerrard about him. And so does his situation.

Local junior, poster boy, all the talent in the world, the ability to influence others through his own actions.

POSTER BOY: Moylan appears to have it all. 

But what he hasn’t fully captured yet is the persistence of effort, a resilience. 

In the age of modern-day footballers, it’s probably no surprise. But will this be the career-defining learning curve for Moylan, or the signal of the end of his time at Penrith?

In 2015, Gus Gould made an eerily similar and surprising decision to sack then Panthers coach Ivan Cleary and bring in Anthony Griffin.  

At the time it was odd and didn’t really make sense.

While the merits of that decision are a debate for another article, Moylan was still able to continue his rise under new coach Griffin.

He made the New South Wales side, Australian squad and was instrumental in the club’s run into the finals last season.

All while wearing the captain’s metaphorical armband. So it’s hard to work out wear it’s all gone wrong.

MIXED FORM: Penrith's form this year has been indifferent, but they've made the finals. 

Indeed, maybe both parties have reasons for wanting a change.

It Moylan is unhappy and dismayed with his current predicament, maybe a move would be best the best thing for him. A shift away from the prodigal son paradigm.

Maybe the Panthers have realised they don’t have the full deck of cards required to achieve their goal of winning another premiership and see the departure of Moylan as a way of securing what or who they need.

Like the loss of Cleary, perhaps to get where you want to go, you don’t always arrive with those who you thought you would.

But there would be a real sense of disenchantment if Matt Moylan wasn’t involved in completing Penrith’s revival.

He’s been at the front of it, at the back of it, and in the thick of it.

Chronologically, in a positional sense, and in terms of the operation respectively. 

The Monthly Probe: May

The May edition of The Monthly Probe podcast.

Hosted by Max McKinney & Matt Writer. 

NRL 2017: Rabbitohs, Dragons, Roosters, Tigers.

Can the boys from the Eastern Suburbs find their 2013 form again?

South Sydney – Prediction 4^th

A really poor year for the Rabbits in 2016, and they’ll be looking to make amends. They have a refreshed feel to them this year with Robbie Farah coming in, and with the Burgess brothers now all settled down with wives and kids, they should keep focussed on footy and out of the social pages.

A lot of eyes will be on how Farah fits into the system, but I think it will be more intriguing to see how the rest of the squad already there recovers from last season. Inglis and Reynolds both need to step-up, not to mention the Burgess’ brothers. All are premiership-winning players and need to hit the reset button on their enthusiasm because they’re the ones who drive the culture of the club.

Predicting Michael Maguire to take his side back to the upper-etches of the NRL ladder and into September. For me, they’ll make the top four.

St. George-Illawarra Dragons – Prediction 16^th

A club in complete disarray. What more can be said? They’ve been on the slide since Wayne Bennett left years ago, and they’re direction and recruitment has to be questioned. Club legend Paul ‘Mary’ McGregor has been left to clean up the poor decisions of others and made to look like a fool.

Outside of Dugan and Frizell they have no real high-quality players and the use of Dugan at right centre is mind-boggling considering he was once mentioned as the ‘next Billy Slater’ while emerging at Canberra. He must play fullback and he needs to return to his running-game strength that made him a star in the lime green.

McGregor moved on Benji Marshall last season which was a bold but needed decision, and was planning on using NSW Cup winning halfback Drew Hutchinson only for him to do an ACL in the preseason. Would be using this year to blood a heap of youngsters like Newcastle did last season and look towards a big 2018. 

Sydney Roosters – Prediction 2^nd

The Roosters will be the most-improved side in 2017, mark my words. After 12 months of horror, Mitchell Pearce will have a burning desire to help the Chooks back towards success. He is the player with the biggest point to prove in the NRL this year, and will reach his best form since they won the comp in 2013.

Connor Watson has already placed a heap of pressure on Luke Keary to steal the five-eighth position, but will likely be used in a utility role off the bench. Their core bunch of players are very experienced and have played together for a number of years, so I’m expecting big things from the Tri-Colours this season.

Look out for Latrell Mitchell, Blake Ferguson and Shaun Kenny-Dowell to cross the white line more often than a school-crossing supervisor.

Wests Tigers – Prediction 13^th

A make or break year for the Tigers this season, and with their swagger of stars off-contract at the end of the year, it could be a make or break on the upcoming future of the club. The trio of Moses, Brooks and Tedesco have played enough NRL games now to handle the pressure and gone will be the young and learning tag.

Jason Taylor will be under tremendous pressure from the fans if they get off to a poor start, and if that’s the case it could make the re-signing of their big names a distraction and hamper their season.

Don’t have the cattle up front to be able to knock over the best clubs on a regular basis, and will struggle to match it with the bigger sides. Could surprise though and with a bit of momentum I wouldn’t be shocked if they went on a run.

NRL 2017: Broncos, Raiders, Bulldogs, Sharks.

Two of these clubs will miss the Top 8. Who will it be?

Brisbane Broncos – Prediction: 6^th

Arguably a make-or-break year for Wayne Bennett despite being the Godfather of the Red Hill franchise. Bad results early on will result in a tonne of media pressure for a club hell-bent on success. But in all honesty, with the experts writing them off, Bennett will be in his element. When I look at this Broncos squad, I think they’re in for a tough year. But you just cannot write off the Supercoach and his influence. I think they’ll adopt a real us-against-the-world mentality this year, and if they’re to do any good, they’ll need too. 

They need a big year from their outside backs; like, James Roberts becomes the season’s leading try-scorer, makes the NSW Blues, and finishes the year with a spot in the World Cup squad. It’s time he repays some of the faith Bennett’s put in him. I wouldn’t expect Benji Marshall to feature much in the top-grade, it reminds me of when Scott Prince went back there for one last season. He was in and out of the NRL team all season. 

Their obvious strength is in their forward pack, which is how they’ll win their games, but how the year for Ben Hunt unfolds will be intriguing. Already he has been labelled the most under-pressure player in the game by none other than the Eighth Immortal.

Too good of a coach to write off, look for some new faces to filter into the NRL side and inject some youth, energy and excitement into the side.

Canberra Raiders – Prediction: 5^th

The Green Machine must have a good start to the year without injured skipper Jarrod Croker. They are a side that can play with momentum and could be able to make a late charge for the finals, but the first six weeks without him could potentially decided where they finish. 

They’ve built well over the past two seasons under Ricky Stuart and now need to take the next step to push for a premiership. Hopefully they don’t read into the experts’ predictions who have them making the big dance in October. 

They’ve lost big Paul Vaughn to the Dragons but have picked up wrecking-ball Dave Taylor who returns from a stint in the south of France. Much will depend on the way the players Stuart seemed to bring the best out of in 2016 play, like BJ Leilua, Jordan Rapana and Junior Paulo.

If things go well for the Raiders, they’ll go really-well. But if they can’t find the same team spirit and form as 2016, then they might find themselves on holidays in September.

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs – Prediction: 11^th

One of the most under-fire clubs this season despite making the finals for the last five consecutive seasons under Des Hasler. They are a club that demands success, and after making two Grand Finals during those five years - as well as becoming one of the best run clubs in the game - they are desperate for a premiership at board level. 

Last year they were predicted to have a rough year, but after four rounds they’d won every game and were sitting on top of the table. But then their season seemed to just meander along. We saw glimpses of Moses Mbye’s ability, but their attacking style with forwards acting as play-makers appeared to have run its race. 

Des Hasler, however, is too smart, too cunning and too much of a Rugby League scientist not to conjure up a new way of playing, so I’m expecting some fresh or altered approaches. They still harbor one of the biggest and most fearsome packs in the game and if they can put last season behind them, they could surprise. 

Something drastic has to change at Belmore for me though, and I can’t see them making the eight this time round. But with Hasler in charge, it’s so hard to write them off.

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks – Prediction: 9^th

The 2016 NRL Premiers will head into the season with a cloud of doubt hanging over them after the loss of linchpin hooker Michael Ennis and fullback Ben Barba. Almost $1.5 million dollars ripped out of their salary cap is going to leave a monumental hole, and with no real replacement in the hooker position it’s easy to suggest a slide down the ladder for the Sharks. 

With some of their Grand Final players missing, they went down to an under-strength Wigan in the World Club Challenge and if history is anything to go by, they will likely struggle in the early rounds after the long trip to England. Recent Premiers in the Cowboys, Souths, and the Roosters tended to do fairly well the year after by making the finals, but it will be a big task for Cronulla.

There’s some red-hot contenders this season and whether the Sharks have the depth to cover for their losses is the main talking point. What they do have, is some talented juniors continuing to filter through their system, and Jayden Brailey is at the top of that list. If Flanagan can manage to make some tweaks to help players like Brailey adapt to the side, they could make the finals.