Five reasons why Saturday’s clash with Western Sydney Wanderers at Hunter Stadium is a must-see for all Newcastle Jets fans.
Here are five reasons why Saturday night-s blockbuster clash between the Newcastle Jets and Western Sydney Wanderers at Hunter Stadium is a must see event for every proud Novocastrian.
A truly unique football atmosphere
Saturday-s fixture promises to provide a match day atmosphere that is truly unique within the Australian sporting landscape.
The Jets- own active support group The Squadron will no doubt be in full voice for the occasion, bringing the usual noise, colour and passion that has become a staple of Newcastle Jets home matches over the course of nine Hyundai A-League seasons.
The Wanderers- Red and Black Bloc (RBB) are expected to travel to the Hunter in big numbers, further adding to the vibrant atmosphere that will have Hunter Stadium reaching fever pitch come kick-off.
The battle in the stands is set to provide the perfect side dish for the enthralling action taking place on the pitch as the Squadron and travelling RBB vie for vocal supremacy.
All Jets supporters can help contribute to the atmosphere on match day by joining in with a number of active support chants, including the ‘WHO ARE WE?- call and response chant lead by the Squadron.
For more information about Active Support at Newcastle Jets home matches CLICK HERE.
Chance to move into second place
Newcastle-s 2-1 win over Melbourne Victory in the Hyundai A-League-s 1000th game last Sunday elevated the Jets into third place on the competition ladder on 15 points.
With Western Sydney currently sitting in second spot just one point clear of the Jets, a win for the home side on Saturday night would see Newcastle leap frog the Wanderers into second place on the ladder at the conclusion of Round 10.
Sitting in second place leading into the Christmas break would give the Jets the ideal platform as they look to secure their first Hyundai A-League Finals berth in three seasons.
Biggest home crowd of the season
Early ticket sales indicate Saturday-s match is on track to comfortably eclipse the Jets- biggest home crowd of the 2013/14 Hyundai A-League season, beating the 13,744 who turned up for the F3 Derby in Round 4.
The corresponding fixture between the Jets and Wanderers last season attracted 22,513 spectators to Hunter Stadium, which was the biggest regular season crowd in Newcastle Jets history.
With plenty at stake for both teams once again, another large crowd is expected on Saturday for what is shaping up as a blockbuster clash.
In form Jets undefeated at Hunter Stadium this season
The Jets have hit a purple patch of form in recent months with only one loss in their last eight Hyundai A-League matches, including four wins from their last five outings.
Newcastle are also undefeated at Hunter Stadium during the 2013/14 campaign with a record of two wins and two draws in front of their loyal home fans.
While the Jets are under no illusions about the difficulty of facing last season-s Premiers Plate winners, they will no doubt be brimming with confidence based on their recent results.
With the likes of Adam Taggart and Nathan Burns hitting their straps in front of goal in recent weeks, Ruben Zadkovich bossing the midfield and Kew Jaliens marshalling the backline, all the ingredients are there for the Jets to put in a strong showing against the Wanderers on Saturday.
Star players
Marquee players Emile Heskey and Shinji Ono will add star power to what is already a big occasion.
After missing the first four weeks of the season former England international Heskey is steadily working his way back to the form that saw him score nine goals for the Jets last season.
Heskey has solid form against Western Sydney, having found the back of the net in the Jets- 2-1 win over the Wanderers in Round 6 last season.
Ono will once again be one of the dangermen for the Wanderers and the Jets will have to work hard to limit the former Japanese international-s creative influence in the heart of Western Sydney-s midfield.
Newcastle Jets v Western Sydney Wanderers
Saturday, December 14
Hunter Stadium
Kick-off 7.45pm
Tickets available from PROticket.
