Newcastle Jets will kick off its first Hyundai A-League campaign under the guidance of Head Coach Ernie Merrick with a blockbuster F3 Derby away match against Central Coast Mariners in Gosford.
The draw for the Hyundai A-League 2017/18 Season was released today and presented Newcastle Jets with a stellar schedule that includes 14 home fixtures at McDonald Jones Stadium – six of which will be played on Saturdays and three of which will be played under lights on Friday nights.
The Jets’ draw also features three homes games during the Hyundai A-League’s ‘Summer of Football’ period, and from a positive logistical viewpoint includes just eight of 27 matches to be played interstate or overseas.
Newcastle Jets Head Coach Merrick is delighted with the draw that the Club has received.
“I personally think that this is a very good draw for the Jets and I can’t recall getting such a good draw in the last five or six years,” Merrick said.
“Our Members will benefit from our deal with the Central Coast Mariners in which they can gain entry to two additional away games.
“In effect full season Jets Members will be able to access 16 Hyundai A-League matches next season, which makes a Membership very worthwhile.
“I also like the fact that our players will be able to stay at home with their families for Christmas and on New Year’s Eve,” Merrick said.
Newcastle Jets Chief Executive Officer Lawrie McKinna echoed Merrick’s sentiments, and said that while some of the Club’s requests hadn’t been fulfilled on the whole the Jets should benefit from its 2017/18 calendar.
“FFA (Football Federation Australia) has worked with us to help develop a schedule which includes a good mixture of matches on different days of the week and weekend,” McKinna said.
“Last year the bulk of our home games were held on Sundays, however this season that has been addressed with nine our of 14 games on Fridays and Saturdays.
“From football, fan and commercial perspectives we are pleased with our draw this season,” he said.
Newcastle Jets Hyundai A-League 2017/18 Draw Highlights Include:
- A Round 1 F3 Derby against Central Coast Mariners in Gosford which full season Members can access for free
- Friday night home matches against Western Sydney Wanderers, Brisbane Roar and Perth Glory
- Saturday home matches against teams including Sydney FC, Melbourne City, and Melbourne Victory
- Just eight interstate or overseas away trips
- The final three matches of the regular season being held in New South Wales (two of which will be played at McDonald Jones Stadium)
We’ve added Ernie Merrick, Nikolai Topor-Stanley, Dimitri Petratos, Roy O’Donovan, Daniel Georgievski and Glen Moss to our Club for the Hyundai A-League 2017/18 Season, however we still feel that we’re missing a key piece of the puzzle – YOU! Click here to renew or purchase a 2017/18 Newcastle Jets Membership!
