The A-League’s original Derby returns on Saturday as the high-flying Jets take on their not so friendly neighbours the Central Coast Mariners.
Former players John Hutchinson and Joel Griffiths have traded blows during the week, ensuring that there should be plenty of spice come 5.15pm Saturday afternoon.
Hutchinson told the Newcastle Herald that, “the only thing Newcastle has that we haven’t is a wooden spoon.”
Griffiths replied as only he can with the following, “Hutch has been at the smallest club in the A-League for 10 years because he wasn’t good enough to get in anywhere else.”
If the match itself lives up to the pre-game hype, all I can say is bring on Saturday!
Key Battle – Mateo Poljak vs Anthony Caceres
All banter aside, the midfield is the key battle zone in any contest, but even more so in a derby. Newcastle has been stronger defensively this season and Mateo Poljak has been a key cog in the Jets’ improvement in this area. He breaks up the play brilliantly and quickly moves the ball forward so the Jets’ more creative men like David Carney and Enver Alivodic can do their thing in the final third. His ability to read the play will be crucial as he comes up against one of the finest young prospects in the league this weekend.
Caceres is a key linchpin for the Mariners going forward and most of their play goes through the talented youngster. He has created six goal scoring chances this season for one assist. He is the man with the technique and ability to break down an organised defence and will be watched closely by Poljak this weekend.
If one of these men get the upper hand in this battle it will go a long way to deciding the winner of the match.
Team News and expected line-ups
Newcastle will be without Daniel Mullen again as he underwent surgery in Sydney during the week for a knee injury suffered in training two weeks ago. He could be missing for up to six weeks. Ex-Roar youngster Lachlan Jackson will again partner Captain Nigel Boogaard in the heart of the Jets defence. Ben Kantarovski will also miss out for the home side with an ankle injury picked up in last week’s loss to the Wanderers. Youngster Andrew Pawiak has been added to the squad as cover on the bench, with Cameron Watson likely to come into the eleven.
Fabio Ferreira will miss for the Mariners after being forced off with a hamstring injury last week against the Nix. His absence will be keenly felt, but slightly offset by the return of Nick Fitzgerald from suspension. He returns after receiving two yellow cards in the controversial loss to Sydney FC a fortnight ago.
Newcastle Jets XI (4-2-3-1): Birighitti (GK); Hoffman, Boogaard, Jackson, Ki-Je; Poljak, Watson; Alivodic, Leonardo, Carney; Trifunovic
Central Coast Mariners (4-3-3): Izzo (GK); Roux, McGing, Poscoliero, Josh Rose; Montgomery, Liam Rose, Caceres; Fitzgerald, O’Donovan, Austin
Head-to-Head
The Mariners have the edge in this fixture overall with four more victories (13-9) since the inception of the A-League. But it is a different story in recent times. The Jets have not won against the Mariners in the last eight matches between the two sides.
Having said that, the men from Gosford have failed to win any of the last three matches between the fierce rivals at Hunter Stadium. It is anyone’s guess as to what is going to happen this Saturday, which is just the way it should be on derby day.
Previous Meeting
The Jets and Mariners last played out an uninspiring 0-0 draw at Hunter Stadium last season. We can only hope for better this weekend.
Prediction
The Mariners will come to town looking to entertain, with Tony Walmsley seemingly given Carte Blanche to attack at all costs regardless of the consequences. This would seem to play into the hands of the home side. Scott Miller has his men playing an organised, counter-attacking style of football that will look to upset the Mariners and take advantage of the gaps they leave at the back. Buoyed on by a raucous home crowd, they should be able to hurt the Mariners on the scoreboard and deliver a long overdue derby victory to the Novocastrian faithful.
Newcastle Jets 3-1 Central Coast Mariners
What are your thoughts? Let us know by dropping a comment below via our Facebook comment box. Make sure you follow us on Twitter @Outside90 and like us on Facebook.
