The Newcastle Jets have named a 17-man squad for Friday night’s critical encounter with Perth Glory at Hunter Stadium.
The Hunter Ports Newcastle Jets have named a 17-man squad for Friday night-s critical encounter with Perth Glory at Hunter Stadium.
Jets head coach Gary van Egmond revealed that Adam Taggart will once again play at the point of the forward line in the absence of Emile Heskey, with Michael Bridges offering further support in attack.
“The formation is the same, but obviously with the injury sustained to Emile, Tags will keep on playing in that position, but we-ll bring Bridgey back in as the number 10 underneath,” van Egmond said.
“With the likes of Bridgey in there supporting him and being at home, I think Tags can really flourish in that number 9 role.”
Van Egmond also indicated that James Brown was in line to make a return to the Jets- starting XI.
“James Brown will be playing on the right hand side,” van Egmond said.
“We-ve had a good chat and he feels good in regards to his body now. He was a little bit all over the place a couple of weeks ago, but he feels better now.
“He obviously had that sickness down in Melbourne, but he-s 100 per cent now and raring to go.”
While van Egmond stopped short of calling Friday night-s game a must-win, he did not hesitate to acknowledge the importance of the clash in the context of the Jets season.
“We-re getting pretty close (to it being a must-win), especially in lieu of the fact that we-ve got one less game to play than others and we-re at home,” he said.
“It-s not the be-all and end-all, but we-re very, very close and that-s why we really want to get a big crowd out here to come and support us.”
Van Egmond said the Jets would be looking to put on a display full of passion and pride in front of their home supporters on Friday.
“When you get beat 5-0 a lot of things get questioned. Obviously your pride within yourself, but the biggest thing is your character,” van Egmond said.
“The one thing that-s great about sport is that you get a chance to respond and it-s come along really quickly, which is even better for us, so we can-t wait for Friday night.
“It-s about ensuring we get some confidence and positivity around the joint, which we-ve done and the mood is really good in the camp.
“The one thing you have with young players is that they can respond really quickly and we-re looking for that on Friday night.”
Newcastle Jets squad: 1. Ben Kennedy (gk), 2. Scott Neville, 5. Dominik Ritter, 7. James Brown, 8. Ruben Zadkovich, 10. Bernardo Ribeiro, 11. Connor Chapman, 12. Josh Brillante, 15. Craig Goodwin, 17. James Virgili, 18. Jacob Pepper, 19. Michael Bridges, 20. Mark Birighitti (gk), 21. Marko Jesic, 22. Adam Taggart, 25. Mitch Cooper, 26. Andrew Hoole.
Ins: James Brown and James Virgili (returning from illness), Michael Bridges (returning from being rested)
Outs: Zenon Caravella (hamstring), Emile Heskey (calf), Sam Gallaway (knee), Taylor Regan (suspended)
Unavailable: Ben Kantarovski (knee)
Perth Glory Squad: 1.Danny Vukovic (gk), 2. Jack Clisby, 5. Steve Pantelidis, 8. Dean Heffernan, 9. Shane Smeltz, 10. Liam Miller, 12. Ryo Nagai, 13. Travis Dodd, 14. Steven McGarry, 17. Chris Harold, 18. Matias Cordoba, 19. Josh Risdon, 21. Scott Jamison, 23. Michael Thwaite, 30. Lewis Italiano (gk).
Ins: Jacob Burns (returns from injury), Dean Heffernan, Travis Dodd (returns from injury)
Outs: Steve Pantelidis (bruised heel), Brandon O-Neill, Daniel De Silva
Unavailable: Steve Pantelidis (bruised heel)
Newcastle Jets v Perth Glory
Friday, March 8
Hunter Stadium
Kick-off 7.30pm
Tickets from PROticket.
PCYC Newcastle is being supported at this week’s Jets game against the Perth Glory.
The charity box and 20 reserved seating tickets have been donated to PCYC as a reward for participants in their young offender program.
The program aims to give these youngsters a second chance, and, Senior Constable Brendan Haile will be speaking pre-game about the PCYC and its many, vital community programs.
