The F3 derby is almost here and this game has an extra bit of spice with the return of Newcastle Jets coach Gary Van Egmond.
Although interim coach Craig Deans will still be at the helm this Sunday, the Central Coast boys will be out to ruin their northern neighbours party before Van Egmond takes over the role.
A massive crowd in expected at Ausgrid Stadium this Sunday afternoon to see two of the A-League’s fiercest rivals do battle in the 24th installment of the F3 derby.
The Newcastle Jets boast almost 10,000 ticketed members. Add this to the fans making the trip up from the Central Coast and the extras who come out to watch the derby, we could see 20,000-plus at Ausgrid Stadium.
The biggest crowd between these two sides at Ausgrid Stadium is 22,960 for the first leg semi-final in season 2007-08. That year the Jets went on to beat the Mariners two weeks later in the grand final, 1- 0.
When it comes to rivalries, it doesn’t come much closer then this one. Amazingly, if the home side wins on Sunday, it will see them all square with both teams having eight wins eight draws and eights losses.
Although both teams have showed less than encouraging form in the opening rounds, form means nothing when Newcastle and the Central Coast come head to head.
The Mariners will again be away from home with this being their third straight game away from Bluetongue stadium. At least this clash, the fans will not have to travel too far to see their boys in action.
The F3 derby is growing with interest every year, and whatever the result maybe, come Sunday night I’m sure the winning fans will let the others know about it until they meet again.
The F3 derby is the only one of it’s kind in Australian sport, with no other code boasting two regional cites 45 minutes apart in their competition. Although other codes have their local derbies, I’m sure NRL officials watch these derbies a little envy.
Since the A-League kicked off in 2005, the tribalism that has developed in the clubs has made this match up one of the highlights in the A-League calendar. Friends become enemies and some family members become disowned.
Whatever the result this Sunday, it is sure to be a cracker.
My money is on the home side with a two-nil victory to the Jets.
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