Newcastle United Jets FC season 2008-09
Encyclopedia
The 2008-09 Season will be the fourth season of the A-League and the first for the Newcastle Jets as defending champions. The Jets will also be competing in the AFC Asian Champions League for the first time at season's end.
and Stuart Musialik
to Sydney FC
and Joe Marston Medal
winner Andrew Durante
and Troy Hearfield
to Wellington Phoenix. Although rumours persisted about captain Jade North
and Adam Griffiths
wishing to leave the club after being a part of the Socceroos squad that faced Singapore
and China, both of which have chosen to remain with the Jets for the start of the 2008-09 season.
Most players who left the Jets suggested wage demands as the major issue with Jets owner Con Constantine
refusing to allow players to utilise service agreements which would allow more flexibility under the salary cap.
Forward Jason Naidovski was the first new player to sign on for the Jets for season 2008-09, arriving from the Australian Institute of Sport
followed by right sided midfielder Shaun Ontong
from Adelaide United, and exciting under 20's Australian representative Kaz Patafta
from Benfica. Defender Antun Kovacic
soon followed. Former Danish Under 21s
representative, Jesper Håkansson
signed a 2-year contract with the Jets on 30 July 2008 after a week's trial. and Ecuardorian
Edmundo Zura
signed on as the new Marquee player soon after.
from Sydney FC
Justin Pasfield
from Wollongong Wolves
Daniel Piorkowski
from Walsall FC Jason Naidovski
from AIS Shaun Ontong
from Adelaide United Kaz Patafta
from SL Benfica
Antun Kovacic
from Richmond SC
Jesper Håkansson
from Lyngby BK
Edmundo Zura
from Imbabura SC
(loan)
Out Stephen Laybutt, Contract Not Renewed Denni
, Contract Not Renewed Andrew Durante
, to Wellington Phoenix Mark Bridge
, to Sydney FC
Paul Kohler
, Released Stuart Musialik
, to Sydney FC
Troy Hearfield
, to Wellington Phoenix Scott Tunbridge
, Released
Triallists
The following players trialled with the Jets but were unsuccessful in gaining a contract. Jarrad Ross
Mark Byrnes
Yanni Galanos Valerio Mastrelli Simone Bracalello
Severin Brice Bikoko
(could not obtain Visa) Joe Keenan (signed for Hibernian
instead) Ali Abbas Ali Khader Andre Gumprecht
(returned to the Mariners)
. Youth League games will generally be held as curtain raisers for the main Jets game at EnergyAustralia Stadium
except in the middle of summer when heat is a factor. The team will be coach by former player Craig Deans
, the squad was announced on 16 September however more players are likely to be added by the start of the season.
. Newcastle Jets will have a team in this competition with a primary home ground of Wanderers Oval in Broadmeadow. Gary Phillips has been appointed coach and has brought the following players to the club.:
--- FIFA
International Break ---
--- FIFA
International Break ---
--- FIFA
International Break ---
Changes
After the success of the 2007-08 season a number of Jets players left the club including Mark BridgeMark Bridge
Mark Bridge is an Australian football player. He currently plays as a striker for Australian A-League club Sydney FC.-Newcastle United Jets FC:...
and Stuart Musialik
Stuart Musialik
Stuart Musialik is an Australian football player who currently plays for Central Coast Mariners in the A-League.- Club career :...
to Sydney FC
Sydney FC
Sydney FC is a professional football club based in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia and competes in the country's premier football competition, the A-League...
and Joe Marston Medal
Joe Marston Medal
The Joe Marston Medal is an A-League award given to the player of the match in the A-League Grand Final each year. Introduced in 1990, previously the award was also given to the best player in the National Soccer League grand final. The medal is named after Joe Marston, who played for Australia...
winner Andrew Durante
Andrew Durante
Andrew Durante is an Australian football player. He currently plays as a central defender and Captain for the New Zealand based A-League club Wellington Phoenix.- Newcastle Jets :...
and Troy Hearfield
Troy Hearfield
Troy Hearfield is an attacking football midfielder who currently plays for Central Coast Mariners in the A-League.Married to Deanne Hearfield.-Club career:Hearfield signed for Newcastle Jets in 2006...
to Wellington Phoenix. Although rumours persisted about captain Jade North
Jade North
Jade Bronson North is an Indigenous Australian association football player. He played as a centre back or full back for the FC Tokyo in the J. League Division 2...
and Adam Griffiths
Adam Griffiths
Adam Griffiths is an Australian professional football player who currently plays for Hangzhou Greentown.-Club career:...
wishing to leave the club after being a part of the Socceroos squad that faced Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
and China, both of which have chosen to remain with the Jets for the start of the 2008-09 season.
Most players who left the Jets suggested wage demands as the major issue with Jets owner Con Constantine
Con Constantine
Con Constantine is a Cypriot-Australian businessman and the former owner of the Australian football club Newcastle United Jets.-Early life:...
refusing to allow players to utilise service agreements which would allow more flexibility under the salary cap.
Forward Jason Naidovski was the first new player to sign on for the Jets for season 2008-09, arriving from the Australian Institute of Sport
Australian Institute of Sport
The Australian Institute of Sport is a sports training institution in Australia with world class facilities and support services. The Institute's headquarters is situated in Canberra, the capital city of Australia. The 66.0 hectare site campus is in the northern suburb of Bruce, but some of the...
followed by right sided midfielder Shaun Ontong
Shaun Ontong
Shaun Ontong is an Australian football player.-Club career:Shaun grew up in Canberra playing junior football for local clubs Belwest Foxes and later Belconnen United, and watching the Canberra teams such as the Canberra Cosmos playing in the NSL...
from Adelaide United, and exciting under 20's Australian representative Kaz Patafta
Kaz Patafta
Kaz Phonesak Patafta is an Australian professional football player of Laotian and Croatian descent. Patafta formerly played as an attacking midfielder for the Newcastle Jets in the A-League...
from Benfica. Defender Antun Kovacic
Antun Kovacic
Antun Kovacic is an Australian football player who currently plays for Churchill Brothers SC in the I-League.-Club career:...
soon followed. Former Danish Under 21s
Denmark national under-21 football team
The Denmark national under-21 football team has played since 1976 and is controlled by the Danish Football Association. Before 1976, the age limit was 23 years.-U-21 European Championship:*1978 – Quarterfinals*1980 to 1984 – Did not qualify...
representative, Jesper Håkansson
Jesper Håkansson
Jesper Håkansson is a Danish footballer who plays as a midfielder or a forward for Danish 1st Division club FC Roskilde.-Club career:...
signed a 2-year contract with the Jets on 30 July 2008 after a week's trial. and Ecuardorian
Ecuador
Ecuador , officially the Republic of Ecuador is a representative democratic republic in South America, bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and by the Pacific Ocean to the west. It is one of only two countries in South America, along with Chile, that do not have a border...
Edmundo Zura
Edmundo Zura
Edmundo Salomón Zura de Jesús , is an Ecuadorian professional footballer who plays for El Nacional...
signed on as the new Marquee player soon after.
Transfers
In Sean RooneySean Rooney
Sean Michael Rooney is an American volleyball player, who plays as an outside hitter for the U.S. national team. He made his Olympic debut at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China.-Early life:...
from Sydney FC
Sydney FC
Sydney FC is a professional football club based in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia and competes in the country's premier football competition, the A-League...
Justin Pasfield
Justin Pasfield
Justin Pasfield is an Australian football goalkeeper who currently plays for the Central Coast Mariners.He was part of the Joeys squad for the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship in the Netherlands, and previously played for Bray Wanderers in the League of Ireland...
from Wollongong Wolves
Wollongong Wolves
The South Coast Wolves Football Club is an Australian Association football club based in the Illawarra region of New South Wales, Australia currently playing in the NSW Premier League.The club was formed in 2009 as a not for profit organisation, run and owned by the community since the financial...
Daniel Piorkowski
Daniel Piorkowski
Daniel Piorkowski is an Australian football player of Polish descent who is currently without a club.-Melbourne Knights:...
from Walsall FC Jason Naidovski
Jason Naidovski
Jason Naidovski is an Australian football player of Macedonian descent who currently plays for Marconi Stallions.Jason previously played for the Australian Institute of Sport in the Victorian Premier League...
from AIS Shaun Ontong
Shaun Ontong
Shaun Ontong is an Australian football player.-Club career:Shaun grew up in Canberra playing junior football for local clubs Belwest Foxes and later Belconnen United, and watching the Canberra teams such as the Canberra Cosmos playing in the NSL...
from Adelaide United Kaz Patafta
Kaz Patafta
Kaz Phonesak Patafta is an Australian professional football player of Laotian and Croatian descent. Patafta formerly played as an attacking midfielder for the Newcastle Jets in the A-League...
from SL Benfica
SL Benfica
Sport Lisboa e Benfica , commonly known as simply Benfica or occasionally as Benfica Lisbon, is a Portuguese multi-sports club based in Lisbon. Although they successfully compete in a number of different sports, Benfica is mostly known for its association football team...
Antun Kovacic
Antun Kovacic
Antun Kovacic is an Australian football player who currently plays for Churchill Brothers SC in the I-League.-Club career:...
from Richmond SC
Richmond SC
Richmond Soccer Club is an Australian association football club from Richmond, Victoria, an inner eastern suburb of Melbourne, Australia. They currently play in the Victorian Premier League.-History:...
Jesper Håkansson
Jesper Håkansson
Jesper Håkansson is a Danish footballer who plays as a midfielder or a forward for Danish 1st Division club FC Roskilde.-Club career:...
from Lyngby BK
Lyngby Boldklub
Lyngby Boldklub is a professional Danish football club founded in 1921. It is based at Lyngby Stadion in Kongens Lyngby, Denmark. From 1994 to 2001 the club was known as Lyngby FC.-History:...
Edmundo Zura
Edmundo Zura
Edmundo Salomón Zura de Jesús , is an Ecuadorian professional footballer who plays for El Nacional...
from Imbabura SC
Sporting Club Imbabura
Imbabura Sporting Club is a professional football club based in Ibarra, Ecuador. They are currently the runner-up of the 2010 Serie B and will play in the Serie A for the 2011 season.-Current squad:-External links:*...
(loan)
Out Stephen Laybutt, Contract Not Renewed Denni
Denni Rocha dos Santos
Denni Rocha dos Santos, usually known as Denni is a professional footballer currently playing for Maltese Premier League side Valletta, where he plays as a midfielder.-Club career:...
, Contract Not Renewed Andrew Durante
Andrew Durante
Andrew Durante is an Australian football player. He currently plays as a central defender and Captain for the New Zealand based A-League club Wellington Phoenix.- Newcastle Jets :...
, to Wellington Phoenix Mark Bridge
Mark Bridge
Mark Bridge is an Australian football player. He currently plays as a striker for Australian A-League club Sydney FC.-Newcastle United Jets FC:...
, to Sydney FC
Sydney FC
Sydney FC is a professional football club based in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia and competes in the country's premier football competition, the A-League...
Paul Kohler
Paul Kohler
Paul Kohler is an Australian football player of German and Italian Origin. He is a central defender who most recently played for the Sutherland Sharks.- Honours :...
, Released Stuart Musialik
Stuart Musialik
Stuart Musialik is an Australian football player who currently plays for Central Coast Mariners in the A-League.- Club career :...
, to Sydney FC
Sydney FC
Sydney FC is a professional football club based in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia and competes in the country's premier football competition, the A-League...
Troy Hearfield
Troy Hearfield
Troy Hearfield is an attacking football midfielder who currently plays for Central Coast Mariners in the A-League.Married to Deanne Hearfield.-Club career:Hearfield signed for Newcastle Jets in 2006...
, to Wellington Phoenix Scott Tunbridge
Scott Tunbridge
Scott Tunbridge is an Australian professional soccer player. He can play either as a striker or a right wing.- Career :...
, Released
Triallists
The following players trialled with the Jets but were unsuccessful in gaining a contract. Jarrad Ross
Jarrad Ross
Jarrad Ross is an Australian football player who currently plays for the A-League club Newcastle Jets. He is also a twin. On 9 January 2008 he made his senior debut for the Jets against Adelaide United.-External links:*...
Mark Byrnes
Mark Byrnes
Mark John Byrnes is an Australian football defender who currently plays for the APIA Leichhardt Tigers in the New South Wales Premier League.-Club career:...
Yanni Galanos Valerio Mastrelli Simone Bracalello
Simone Bracalello
Simone Bracalello, also known in Italy as "Bracca", is an Italian footballer currently playing for NSC Minnesota Stars in the North American Soccer League.-Italy:...
Severin Brice Bikoko
Severin Brice Bikoko
Bikoko is a Cameroonian striker who plays for Caykur Rizespor in the TFF First League.He played 13 times for Cameroon Under 20 National Football Team and scored 9 goals.-References:...
(could not obtain Visa) Joe Keenan (signed for Hibernian
Hibernian F.C.
Hibernian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Leith, in the north of Edinburgh. They are one of two Scottish Premier League clubs in the city, the other being their Edinburgh derby rivals, Hearts...
instead) Ali Abbas Ali Khader Andre Gumprecht
Andre Gumprecht
André Gumprecht is a former German football player who is currently playing for Australian club Lake Macquarie City FC-Club career:...
(returned to the Mariners)
Players
Youth Squad
In 2008 the Newcastle Jets will compete in the National Youth LeagueA-League National Youth League
The A-League National Youth League is an Australian national football league run in parallel to the A-League. The aim of a league is to provide a pathway for young players and state league players to play regular high-level football, and allow reserve players from senior A-League teams to remain...
. Youth League games will generally be held as curtain raisers for the main Jets game at EnergyAustralia Stadium
EnergyAustralia Stadium
Newcastle International Sports Centre is a multi-purpose sports stadium located in Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. It is the home ground of the Newcastle Knights and the Newcastle United Jets teams. It is owned by the New South Wales government and administered by the Hunter Region...
except in the middle of summer when heat is a factor. The team will be coach by former player Craig Deans
Craig Deans
Craig Deans is an Australian football player. He last played as a central defender for the Australian A-League club Newcastle United Jets....
, the squad was announced on 16 September however more players are likely to be added by the start of the season.
Women's Squad
2008 will see the introduction of the new national women's league, known as the W-LeagueW-League (Australia)
The W-League is the preeminent women's semi-professional football league in Australia. Established in 2008, it is composed of eight teams - seven of them are affiliated with seven of the Australian clubs currently in the A-League, with the eighth team based in Canberra...
. Newcastle Jets will have a team in this competition with a primary home ground of Wanderers Oval in Broadmeadow. Gary Phillips has been appointed coach and has brought the following players to the club.:
Group A Points Table
| Team | Pts | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | |
| 5 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | |
| 2 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| 2 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
Round 1
----Round 2
----Round 3
----Round 1
----Round 2
----Round 3
------- FIFA
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
International Break ---
Round 4
----Round 5
----Round 6
----Round 7
------- FIFA
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
International Break ---
Round 8
----Round 9
----Round 10
----Round 11
------- FIFA
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
International Break ---
Round 12
----Round 13
----Round 14
----Round 15
----Round 16
----Round 17
----Round 18
----Round 19
----Round 20
----Round 21
----Hyundai A-League 2008-2009 Season Table
Goal scorers
Last updated 26 January 2009| Name | Pre-Season | A-League | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
 Joel GriffithsJoel Griffiths Joel Griffiths is an Australian football player who currently plays for Beijing Guoan.-Club career:He played for Sydney United, Parramatta Power and Newcastle United in the now defunct National Soccer League... |
0 | 7 | 7 |
| Matt Thompson |
0 | 4 | 4 |
| Tarek Elrich Tarek Elrich Tarek Elrich is an Australian football player who currently plays as a right midfielder or back for A-League club Newcastle United Jets. He is the younger brother of former Socceroo midfielder Ahmad Elrich... |
0 | 2 | 2 |
| Marko Jesic Marko Jesic Marko Jesic is a football striker who currently plays for A-League outfit the Newcastle United Jets.-Club career:... |
0 | 1 | 1 |
| Antun Kovacic Antun Kovacic Antun Kovacic is an Australian football player who currently plays for Churchill Brothers SC in the I-League.-Club career:... |
0 | 1 | 1 |
| Mark Milligan Mark Milligan Mark Daniel Milligan is an Australian football player who is currently playing for JEF United Ichihara Chiba. He was also the regular captain of the Australian Under 23 football team and has been capped for the junior Australian National team... |
0 | 1 | 1 |
| Jade North Jade North Jade Bronson North is an Indigenous Australian association football player. He played as a centre back or full back for the FC Tokyo in the J. League Division 2... |
0 | 1 | 1 |
| Kaz Patafta Kaz Patafta Kaz Phonesak Patafta is an Australian professional football player of Laotian and Croatian descent. Patafta formerly played as an attacking midfielder for the Newcastle Jets in the A-League... |
0 | 1 | 1 |
| Noel Spencer Noel Spencer Noel Spencer was an Australian football player.-NSL:Noel played for his hometown of Wollongong from 1996–2000 and was part of Wollongong Wolves championship-winning team of the 1999/2000 season. After the championship win Noel left for Northern Spirit which he played for and later captained until... |
1 | 0 | 1 |
 Song Jin-HyungSong Jin-Hyung Song Jin-Hyung is a South Korean football player who plays for Tours FC in French Ligue 2.-Club career:Song started his professional career at Brazilian club Internacional, before moving back to his homeland Korea to play for one of the powerhouses of Korean and Asian football FC Seoul.After a... |
0 | 1 | 1 |
| Jobe Wheelhouse Jobe Wheelhouse Jobe Wheelhouse is an Australian football player. He currently plays as an attacking midfielder for the Australian A-League club Newcastle United Jets.-Club career:... |
0 | 1 | 1 |
Bookings
Last updated 26 January 2009| Name | Yellow | Red |
|---|---|---|
| Jobe Wheelhouse Jobe Wheelhouse Jobe Wheelhouse is an Australian football player. He currently plays as an attacking midfielder for the Australian A-League club Newcastle United Jets.-Club career:... |
7 | 1 |
| Mark Milligan Mark Milligan Mark Daniel Milligan is an Australian football player who is currently playing for JEF United Ichihara Chiba. He was also the regular captain of the Australian Under 23 football team and has been capped for the junior Australian National team... |
3 | 1 |
| Joel Griffiths Joel Griffiths Joel Griffiths is an Australian football player who currently plays for Beijing Guoan.-Club career:He played for Sydney United, Parramatta Power and Newcastle United in the now defunct National Soccer League... |
2 | 1 |
| Daniel Piorkowski Daniel Piorkowski Daniel Piorkowski is an Australian football player of Polish descent who is currently without a club.-Melbourne Knights:... |
0 | 1 |
| Adam Griffiths Adam Griffiths Adam Griffiths is an Australian professional football player who currently plays for Hangzhou Greentown.-Club career:... |
5 | 0 |
| Tarek Elrich Tarek Elrich Tarek Elrich is an Australian football player who currently plays as a right midfielder or back for A-League club Newcastle United Jets. He is the younger brother of former Socceroo midfielder Ahmad Elrich... |
4 | 0 |
 Jesper HåkanssonJesper Håkansson Jesper Håkansson is a Danish footballer who plays as a midfielder or a forward for Danish 1st Division club FC Roskilde.-Club career:... |
4 | 0 |
| Jade North Jade North Jade Bronson North is an Indigenous Australian association football player. He played as a centre back or full back for the FC Tokyo in the J. League Division 2... |
3 | 0 |
| Ben Kantarovski Ben Kantarovski Ben Kantarovski is an Australian football player currently playing for the Newcastle Jets.-Newcastle Jets:... |
2 | 0 |
| Adam D'Apuzzo Adam D'Apuzzo Adam D'Apuzzo is an Australian professional football player. He currently plays as a left back for NSW Premier League club APIA Leichhardt Tigers.-Biography:... |
1 | 0 |
| James Holland James Holland (footballer) James Holland is a professional football player who plays for Dutch club AZ Alkmaar and the Socceroos.-Club career:... |
1 | 0 |
| Marko Jesic Marko Jesic Marko Jesic is a football striker who currently plays for A-League outfit the Newcastle United Jets.-Club career:... |
1 | 0 |
| Jason Naidovski Jason Naidovski Jason Naidovski is an Australian football player of Macedonian descent who currently plays for Marconi Stallions.Jason previously played for the Australian Institute of Sport in the Victorian Premier League... |
1 | 0 |
| Song Jin-Hyung Song Jin-Hyung Song Jin-Hyung is a South Korean football player who plays for Tours FC in French Ligue 2.-Club career:Song started his professional career at Brazilian club Internacional, before moving back to his homeland Korea to play for one of the powerhouses of Korean and Asian football FC Seoul.After a... |
1 | 0 |
| Noel Spencer Noel Spencer Noel Spencer was an Australian football player.-NSL:Noel played for his hometown of Wollongong from 1996–2000 and was part of Wollongong Wolves championship-winning team of the 1999/2000 season. After the championship win Noel left for Northern Spirit which he played for and later captained until... |
1 | 0 |
| Matt Thompson |
1 | 0 |
 Edmundo ZuraEdmundo Zura Edmundo Salomón Zura de Jesús , is an Ecuadorian professional footballer who plays for El Nacional... |
1 | 0 |