It's party time for Hunter's faithful

NEWCASTLE HERALD

THE last time Novocastrians converged on Sydney with such high hopes and in such vast numbers was October 1, 2001.

And just as the travelling hordes headed north that night on the F3 the best part of Sydney with spirits uplifted and tears of joy in their eyes, so too will they forever remember February 24, 2008, as a landmark occasion in Hunter Region history.

Some will say yesterday's grand final was just a game.

But to the thousands of fans chanting "New-cas-tle, New-cas-tle" just as they did when the Knights won their two titles the Jets' 1-0 A-League triumph against arch rivals Central Coast was something to cherish.

The region's footballing fraternity, a long-suffering mob who have seen more lean times than good since the formation of KB United 30 years ago, can now stand proudly and say their team is the best in the land.

And as was the case with the Knights at the same venue in 1997, yesterday's decider at Sydney Football Stadium will live long in the memory as much for the on-field drama as the full-time result.

Just as the Knights, led by a ferocious Paul Harragon, refused to take a backward step against Manly's high-profile Silvertails, so the underdog Jets ripped in and gave the title favourites a lesson in aggression.

Just 10 seconds into proceedings, Jets glamour boy Joel Griffiths was on the seat of his pants after a rude body check from Mariners midfielder John Hutchinson.

Griffiths was immediately back on his feet and snarling in Hutchinson's face, and teammates Matt Thompson and Adam D'Apuzzo arrived simultaneously to deliver their two bob's worth.

Ten minutes later Griffiths responded in kind with a crunching tackle on Mile Jedinak, earning a yellow card and sparking a melee in the process.

Jedinak then fouled Griffiths, collecting his own yellow card, and reviving memories of "Chief" Harragon's legendary stoushes with Mark Carroll back in 1997.

Not to be outdone, Griffiths's twin, Adam, was also booked late in a simmering first half.

At the break, the scoreline was nil-all, but the Novocastrians had delivered a blunt message: they would not be bullied, as they were in the 3-0 major semi-final loss to the Mariners two weeks ago.

"We spoke about that and did a bit of DVD analysis," Jets coach Gary van Egmond said afterwards.

"We had a look at it, and there had been a couple of times where they intimidated a few of our boys not illegally of course but they put themselves about and we weren't going to let that happen tonight.

"We ensured that if anything untoward happened on the pitch tonight, everyone ran in.

"Not that we wanted to create a ruckus, but we wanted to make sure everyone was supporting each other. In games like these . . . you not only have to play with your heads but your hearts as well."

When Newcastle were not inflicting pain on their opponents, they were producing deft touches and clearly playing the better football.

Scoring chances were few and far between, and it became increasingly obvious that one goal might be all that was required to clinch the trophy.

That duly arrived in the 64th minute, when Newcastle striker Mark Bridge stole possession, broke away from the defence and shot unerringly past his good mate, Mariners keeper Danny Vukovic.

Bridge has struggled at times this season for form, distracted by contract talks and speculation that he is joining Sydney FC, but that goal alone will assure him of immortality in the town he currently calls home.

Bridge's strike gave Newcastle a priceless psychological advantage, and as the minutes ticked away, the pressure compounded on Central Coast.

Eventually they imploded.

Veteran striker John Aloisi hysterically demanded a penalty, abusing the linesman, then there was mass uproar after referee Mark Shield missed an apparent handball by Newcastle tyro James Holland.

Vukovic was sent off for violent conduct, striking a match official, and there was a distinct whiff of sour grapes in the air.

But just as few Novocastrians bothered to spare a solitary thought for luckless Manly in 1997, so too was there no time or mood for sympathy towards their derby rivals last night.

The Newcastle faithful were more interested in the fairytale . . . then getting the hell out of Sydney and heading home for the type of party they have seen only twice before.

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Article Source: http://theherald.yourguide.com.au/news/sport/soccer/its-party-time-for-hunters-faithful/1189203.html