The words ‘miracle season’ come up a fair bit when talk turns to the resurgent Newcastle Jets’ current A-League campaign. But I’m not sure I believe in miracles, not when it comes to sport, anyway.
You work hard, you win games; you win games, you win championships. Seems like a simple equation to me. Perhaps not.
Poor Newcastle have had the Billy Penn curse for the past few seasons.
Billy Penn’s statue stood tall atop Philadelphia City Hall, but in 1987 the Liberty skyscraper was built higher than Penn’s statue. It was deemed that because of this, all of the major sporting teams in Philly were cursed.
The city didn’t win a major championship in any sport until the 2008 World Series, when the Philadelphia Phillies took the title. This was, however, only after a second statue of Penn was affixed to the tallest building in the city. Still, the curse was broken (Philly seem to doing okay now in the championship department, also taking the recent Super Bowl title).
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The Knights and the Jets have not made a final series in years, but have added several wooden spoons to their trophy cabinets. But this season, the city is abuzz.
The Knights have played two pre-season trials with their new recruits – including Mitchell Pearce and Kayln Ponga – and while they beat the Melbourne Storm, they were given a reality check by a strong Parramatta outfit.
Even so, the Knights should do well, and the Hunter faithful – while forever sticking by their team – expect big things. My prediction is they will make the finals, in the bottom half of the eight.
As for the Jets, they are running second on the A-League ladder, with last weekend’s win over the Brisbane Roar securing them a definite finals spot.
While the city is ecstatic, coach Ernie Merrick is not – simply stating that the job is not yet done.
Merrick is a great coach – calm, cool and collected, which has brought out the best in his players. Even those who have been with the Jets for a while seem to have found their groove under Merrick, particularly Jason Hoffman and Ben Kantarovski.
Their big test will come this weekend, when they host league leaders Sydney FC. While Newcastle won’t catch Graham Arnold’s powerhouse team for the minor premiers plate, this weekend’s game is going to be a cracker.
While Newcastle will forever cheer their teams, the cheer this year is a little bit louder, a little bit more exciting, and the anticipation of finals for both codes has the city donning the red and blue once again.
For now at least, the curse may just be broken.
Kangajets
Guest
Sounds like a good plan griffo
Griffo
Roar Guru
With a week off after Saturday's game Vargas is being pencilled in for the bench away to Wellington. As is Rodriguez. Kanta hopefully survives Saturday. Boogs will have sorted his knee by then, O'Donovan will have loosened off the rust... Poor Ernie, the decisions he'll have to make :mrgreen:
Griffo
Roar Guru
If we built a mini stadium we could name it after Cheryl Salisbury... I always thought a couple of 'Collossus of Rhodes' type statues either side of each break wall would go down well with the cruise ships that pop in. The Chief on one side, Baartzi on the other, holding their respective sports ball aloft (that lights up at night of course). They're looking for landmark ideas at the moment in Newy, should submit that :lol:
Kangajets
Guest
Andrew Johns has a grand stand named after him. And considering how he tainted his career , I don’t think a statue is warranted. However, there should be a grandstand named after Ray Baartz at McDonald’s jones stadium.
Heather Williams
Roar Pro
So excited for Next Friday when the NRL Kicks off! :) I wouldn't have even considered talking Parramatta up, but they were pretty awesome last weekend! I agree the forward pack is lacking, although the addition of Lillyman, Heighington and Guerra should make it interesting. (Although at the upper end of the age scale!) As for talking the Knights up.. Someone's gotta win... #Whynotthem :)
Heather Williams
Roar Pro
5-1! I like the way you think! Get on it! It would be nice odds! O'Donovan still finding his feet after injury, but looking better by the day (or round) :) Looking forward to a massive crowd (of both sets of fans) this weekend!
Heather Williams
Roar Pro
Those Philly fans! My goodness! :)
Heather Williams
Roar Pro
Simply trying to prove a point, but I agree there would be a lot of different comments based on your preference of code. You're righ! The piece has more focus on the jets and their season but only because their season is well over half done. With the Knights winning the last 3 wooden spoons, and having a positive re-build pre season. Why not mention both :) Knights kick off next Friday! Lets see what they can bring. :)
Heather Williams
Roar Pro
I like the way you think! I agree there has been a lot of hard work involved! You hear the word "re-build" a lot in sport. Hopefully the Newcastle teams are there/almost there :)
Heather Williams
Roar Pro
Perhaps Newcastle should be a 'statue'city :)
Heather Williams
Roar Pro
Why Not! :) Although Newcastle doesn't seem like a statue sort of city... Otherwise would we have seen an Andrew Johns statue years ago?
Football is Life
Guest
Love your prediction if it happens Woo-hoo! Totally agree with O'Donovan. Additionally our defence is going to have to be on their game. With Sydney's attack based game plan you have to be strong in defence. Personally I think Champness should get a start and bring Pato on when Sydney's Defence is tiring. Really hoping Vargas gets a start but if he does Sydney will fiul the heck out of him and the ref will let it go. Hope there's a massive crowd too!
Kangajets
Guest
Well said Buddy It’s all about getting the best 11 on the park at one time Vargas and Rodriguez to come back in Possibly boogard out this week , he has become a rock this year, so fingers crossed on his available The key is Roy O’Donovan. When he finds his goal scoring form , the jets will be unbeatable. Jets to win 5-1 on Saturday against Sydney ?? Come on punter Stuart Claudio and Chris , come up to newy on Saturday
KingCowboy
Guest
ha ha, sorry man, no way soccer fans in Newy can be compared to Eagle fans in Philly. Those guys are on a whole different level over there.
Buddy
Guest
Oh yes, the author Heather chose to mention two codes in one piece. That can change the slant, and the readability and definitely who posts comments. I couldn’t begin to comment in relation to the Knights. I understood the piece to be focussing on The Jets with the RL team being used to reference the Philadephia curse! Of course if The Jets make the GF they will receive similar levels of support enjoyed in this yer’s superbowl by The Eagles. Everyone bar the nailed on Patriots and Tom Brady fans were cheering for the Philly side. The same will apply here, just about guarantee that, not that GA will mind as he appears to enjoy playing the pantonime villain to the rest of the A League.
KingCowboy
Guest
Meh, all these people talking up the Knights need to wake up to themselves, they are not going to make the top 8 this year. They have no real quality in the forwards. They should have gone harder at James Graham, he would have brought toughness to that pack. In saying that, hope the Knights do ok, good luck to them. Only a week to go till the proper footy starts!
Buddy
Guest
No curses just a resurgent city where the cards are being lined up in the right order. The club has sorted out ownership issues, backroom staff, administration and coaching. After that the playing has fallen into place. It may have been even better had Vargas not sustained that awful injury. Timing is everything and in a season where MV and BR are failing to perform, Adelaide are as consistent as the weather, MC continue to underwhelm and there is a degree of chaos at WSW the Jets have taken control. Sure there are a few week links but the team looks well bonded and players support each other.Maybe, just maybe, there might still be a surprise for us this season if there is complacency or unchecked arrogance from Moore Park late in the season.
Football is Life
Guest
How did i know you would be first to comment!!! When visitng Whitehart Lane a couple of years ago the local fellow sitting next to me said the fans wanted a 25ft statue of Harry Kane out the front. I think we should follow their lead. Arnold put us on par with the Mariners in his post-derby dribble. I stand by my comments. Arnold and Slater went to the same school for the cerebrally inept. Come you Jets make me a happy man and give to the buggers on Saturday.
Kangajets
Guest
They will need to build a statue of Ernie Merrick on the top of nobbys lighthouse soon. Reverse the curse