It was Old Boys weekend and the RAAF round as Sydney FC made the trip up the M1 to face their closest rivals, the resurgent Newcastle Jets.
The Old Boys stretched right back to the city’s original National league side, Newcastle KB United.
At a function over the weekend, former Socceroo and Breakers coach John Kosmina recounted how hard it was to come to the International Sports Centre in the late 1970s and face KB United – so much so that the powerhouse club of the era, Sydney City, signed their best player, Col Curran.
Fast forward 40 years and Sydney FC – every bit as dominant this season as the Sydney City club of the NSL – came to town in front of a crowd of ‘KB United’ proportions with a chance to all but wrap up the Premiers Plate.
If this was a grand final preview, then bring on the grand final.
Only a quarter of an hour after the RAAF jets completed their awesome second flyover, Sydney defender Jordy Buijs rolled around on the ground like one of them had strafed him with machine gun fire, clutching his face as if he were Mark Lewin and had just had fire thrown in his face by Abdullah the Butcher (supporters old enough to remember KB United will get that reference).
The subsequent red card to Roy O’Donovan could have spoiled the game as a spectacle, but instead ignited it, as the Jets faithful had a villain to boo and a ten-man team to lift.
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Led courageously by captain Nigel Boogard – the local lad whose father, Michael, played for KB United – the Jets didn’t just sit back and try to soak up the inevitable pressure. Instead, they continued to press forward, trusting their central defensive duo of Boogard and Nikolai Topor-Stanley could repel a Sydney attack that has scored for fun this season.
When Dimi Petratos converted a penalty late in the first half, the roar could be heard at Williamtown RAAF base. McDonald Jones Stadium, which has had more names than a witness protection informant, was rocking.
As if scripted to do so, Buijs curled a free kick into the box early in the second half and Bobo headed home his 22nd goal of the season. Only had Buijs scored himself would the deflation of the moment been more pronounced.
This was what many had feared – the Sky Blue machine clicking into gear and making the most of their numerical advantage, assuming control and doing to the Jets what they had done to almost every other opponent this season.
However, the city of Newcastle is built on resilience and this is reflected in their sporting teams.
Within minutes, Andrew Nabbout, playing what would be his last game for the Jets, picked the ball up wide on the left, cut inside and unleashed a low thunderbolt from 25 metres that ballooned the net and popped the crowd.
From that point, Newcastle could have made the game safe with chances falling to Petratos and Daniel Georgievski inside the peanlty area in the last 15 minutes. But this script, highlighted early by ham acting, called for the cliffhanger finish, and so it was as the Jets continually threw bodies in the way of goalbound efforts from the reigning champions.
With less than ten minutes to go, Boogard appeared to hyper-extend his troublesome knee as he landed badly after contesting a header. In perhaps a pointed rebuke to Buijs, he refused a stretcher and hobbled off the park to watch as his team endured six minutes of injury time to record a famous victory.
It was a great game, played in front of a crowd that has become reconnected with their team this season, and who became the 11th man when O’Donovan was sent off.
It is a shame that Nabbout is leaving to join Urawa Red Diamonds in the J-League, for his absence will be keenly felt, but he deserves the move and should now be under consideration for an extended Socceroos squad as World Cup warm-up games approach.
And the Jets have already covered up the absences of Ronald Vargas and Patito Rodriguez admirably in a season where they continue to defy injuries and recent history to sit comfortably in the top two.
You sense they may have higher to fly yet.
apaway
Roar Guru
That's the club, Kanga, won the 1987 NNSW Grand Final, beating Adamstown Rosebuds 3-2 after being down 0-2 at half-time. Following season they were admitted to the NSW State League (the equivalent of today's NPL1)
Kangajets
Guest
Definitely Paul wade
Kangajets
Guest
Australs were a strong club I remember, a few premierships in the 80s or 90s?? Iwas a league player back then, so I would have missed your playing days Purple and white , was that Australs ?
apaway
Roar Guru
Griffo I was lucky enough to play with Boogard Snr at Newcastle Austral under the coaching of Willie Gallagher. Absolutely no-nonsense and a helluva nice bloke.
apaway
Roar Guru
That 5-5 draw was one of the most amazing games I've seen. I believe Paul Wade scored the equaliser for Canberra after the Breakers were 5-2 up. Quite a night at Birmingham Gardens!
apaway
Roar Guru
Kangajets Funnily enough, Newcastle KB United were the team I supported as a kid, even though I lived in Sydney"s northern beaches. You see, given where we lived, it was easy to pick up NBN Newcastle and they showed all of KB United games on a Saturday afternoon, so I grew up watching Craig Johnston, Col Curran, David Jones, Phil Dando, Roy Drinkwater et al. I then moved to Newcastle to work at the University and ended up playing for various incarnations of Newcastle's State and National League sides. It was a fantastic time in my life and I've retained an affinity for Newcastle ever since, even though I moved away.
apaway
Roar Guru
Mid Breakers Stadium was originally Austral Park - my former home ground. Newcastle Austral assumed the mantle as State League representatives in 1988, and in 1991 were re-admitted to the NSL under the name of the Breakers.
Melange
Guest
Great read Apaway. I had a friend text me from a New Delhi bar watching the match and saying the patrons were loving it. A fantastic game and the kind of victory, in incredibly tough circumstances that could set the Jets up for a special season (don't want to put the kiss of death on the Jets, but that's what I thought after the mighy Mariners beat Bling earlier this season, we'll go riding with the horses indeed!)
Griffo
Roar Guru
Nice one apaway. Fadida I guess I don't blink much when seeing kids juggling the ball while waiting for the bus all year, or the number of goals in the playgrounds but that may not be common elsewhere. Kanga one of my kids friends dad came up through Marconi and eventually played for Newcastle but early on had games against Boogard Snr - a tough no nonsense defender you had to be on your toes for ;-)
Midfielder
Guest
agree
Kangajets
Guest
???? Well deserved too.
Midfielder
Guest
Andrew Nabbout, Dimitri Petratos, called to the Socceroo squad
Kangajets
Guest
Breakers stadium. Fun days indeed Still remember Andy Harper missing 2 penalty in the one game against Joel Griffiths Sydney United. Also remember the breakers having a 5 all draw with Canberra and some occasional wins over Perth Glory and Adelaide city .
Nick Symonds
Guest
"Fly-bys, roll-arounds and Newcastle passion" "It was Old Boys weekend and the RAAF round as Sydney FC made the trip up the M1 to face their closest rivals, the resurgent Newcastle Jets." When I was scanning through quickly and saw the headline and first line I thought it said something about "flyboys". If it isn't a nickname already maybe it could be.
josh
Guest
Newcastle are going to win the Asian Champions League.
Midfielder
Guest
Fab I remember at the time we spoke about your Tassie experiences and I said its a different world in the Newcastle / Hunter, and you would enjoy the Football environment.... By way of example was at Hawks Nest last weekend with She who must be obeyed... anywho we went to the Bowling club for dinner and they had a show on as well that night..... 5 screens going, 4 had Football one had cricket.....
Fadida
Guest
I've been here nearly 5 years now and I'm still amazed by how huge the game is here. I've (truly) never seen a set of AFL posts but there are football pitches everywhere. Every park you go to has people kicking a ball, I'd say 10:1 football v league. Go to Westfields and there are football shirts on people everywhere, and not just Barca. Jets shirts, even when they were rubbish. Coming from a football backwater like Tasmania it's thrilling. A true footballing city.
Aaron Callaghan
Roar Rookie
I used to go watch Breakers and United games at the old Birmingham Gardens. Absolutely devastated to see Naboot leave for greener pastures. Cash them cheques young fella!
Kangajets
Guest
Apaway Are you a Newcastle local ? Were you around in the K B United era . It’s a blur for me now , but it was exciting at the time . Boogard and cowburns fathers both played for kB . Kenny boden was our star , which frank Lowey and Sydney City stole away . Kind of killed of the club that did . Although cameos from Mick channon and Craig Johnson brought crowds back Midfielder posted some YouTube vids yesterday, it’s incredible to see how raucous the crowds were . The breakers played a big part in our history and they were some fun nights out at the Birmingham gardens venue . More power to suburban grounds and the atmosphere created in them Rosebuds have a long history, but I believe the Minmi rangers were the first ever club formed , possibly in New South Wales . One thing that needs to be addressed is recognition of 2 Australia football legends in Ray baartz and Cheryl Salisbury. ... ....., The baartz / Salisbury grandstand at mojo stadium would be fitting. I believe it’s the state government that owns the stadium, so maybe Sydney politicians are not interested in giving these heroes their due ..... maybe lawrie can get it done .
Midfielder
Guest
apa Love the passion and spirit in your article and I remember Col Curran what a great player stocky and hard as nails ... Newcastle is to the best of my knowledge the only city and regional area that has always given Football equal media, equal acceptance, and respected the skill of great players... A unique part of Australia where Football has always been welcome and respected... From KB United to Rosebuds to Breakers ... Pity when the NSL folded Breakers stadium was almost stolen from its owners as they owned it a a great little 12 to 14 k stadium and now a dog track... Enjoyed the read mate ... Just for those that don't know Newcastle / Hunter had Australia's first Football competition and I think Adamstown is Australia's first and oldest Football club... Fab... I told you when you moved there you would be surprised at the degree of support ... you can talk about western Sydney but Newcastle Hunter has been a Football town for well over 120 years... The Jest have a lot to live up to and a proud history behind them...