FOXSPORTS
By Simon Hill
FOLLOWING the revelations of former Newcastle Jets marquee player Mario Jardel that he used cocaine on holidays and at parties during his career, Fox Sports commentator Simon Hill takes aim at a player who has confirmed what a waste of money he was.
So, Mario Jardel has lifted the lid on his cocaine use, and with it, put the final nail in the coffin of perhaps the most disastrous spell a marquee player has ever had in the short history of the A-League.
Jardel’s admission was no surprise - everyone in football had heard the rumours - but his frank confession does raise serious questions about his spell in Australia.
Specifically: Was he ever tested for drugs? And why did he feel the need to disparage his former club - the Newcastle Jets?
On the first point, it is unclear as to whether he was tested during the last A-League season. The competition’s drug checkers are ASADA - who, independently and randomly, test players after every game, and occasionally out of competition, too. Football Federation Australia says it has no record of Jardel being tested.
Jardel’s assertion that he used cocaine “only on holidays” wouldn’t necessarily have been enough to get him off the hook either, as from what I understand evidence of cocaine use can stay in the body for up to three weeks.
But from a pure football point of view - it’s the next question that requires serious examination.
Jardel maintains that while playing for “smaller teams” he couldn’t score, because there were no players that could put the ball at his feet.
He’s right of course. The Jets had to put the ball to his feet - literally - because if it was a metre either side, Jardel’s lack of fitness and sheer bulk (if he was doing coke, it certainly wasn’t the diet version), meant it was a wasted pass.
On the odd occasion they did tee him up, he normally snatched at the opportunity - the best example being the open goal he missed at Sydney FC, when his blushes were only spared by a linesman’s offside flag. His general play was so poor that even Con Constantine was forced to admit Gary Van Egmond had been right all along.
The final sting in the tale is Jardel’s assertion that he will not play again unless it is for a “big club” such as Gremio or Vasco da Gama. Were Jardel of another nationality, some in Australia would be apoplectic at such a perceived slight - labelled, no doubt, as another classic example of “sporting imperialism.”
Gremio meantime, have already politely declined his offer, and Vasco will likely follow suit - and who can blame them?
“Super” Mario was just that - once. These days he‘s more supper than super - and although he admits bad influences and depression led him to use cocaine and that he did not take it when he was playing, it not only set bad examples to those who seek to emulate his earlier career feats, they also seem to have addled his brain.
Which “big” club in their right mind would take on a striker who has scored just seven goals in four years? And which outfit would want a man who‘s happy to take big bucks, use cocaine, and then blame his lack of form on his teammates?
Jardel says he is now clean - for his sake, I hope he stays that way and manages to sort out his life…after all, not many of us lead blameless lives.
But don’t expect too much sympathy from Bolton, Newell’s, Beira Mar, Anorthosis and Newcastle, all of whom gave him a second chance - only to have it thrown back in their faces.
The Jets in particular - and the A-League - deserved better
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Biso Says No To Newcastle Jets
FOUR FOUR TWO
NEWCASTLE Jets have given up on Italian Serie B midfielder Mattia Biso after discovering the Frosinone star still has a year left on his current club's contract.
The 2008 champions were pursuing the star to bring him to EnergyAustralia next season and had a contract to offer the star after spotting him in this weekend's game against Socceroo Carl Valeri's Grosseto at the weekend.
"He was a quality player and we were certainly very interested in him," van Egmond told the Newcastle Herald.
"Unfortunately, the club has him under contract for another year and are pretty keen to keep him. I would suggest that one is not going to happen. There are a few more options we can explore.
"Remo [Nogarotto] has some more games lined up and we have dinner with an agent tomorrow night.
"At the end of the day they have to be quality and give us something different to what we have at home. The attacking third is a priority, especially at the point."
The club's attention has now returned to Aussie Adrian Madaschi playing for Portosummaga in Serie C.
Van Egmond told The Herald<: "He is neat and tidy on the ball, he is a big boy, a lefty and something we definitely could use.
"His team looks like they are going to be in the play-offs and may not finish the season until mid-June.
"That is something we are going to have to consider."
The club are still chasing the signature of former Victory badboy Ljubo Milicevic to bolster their backline and the burly defender is keen to join.
His manager and brother Steve Milicevic told The Herald: "Obviously, the details have to be nutted out, but from what I can see there is nothing standing in the way.
"There has been interest from other A-League clubs and also overseas, but the Jets are the champion team and have a great coach. Hopefully we can work something out."
NEWCASTLE Jets have given up on Italian Serie B midfielder Mattia Biso after discovering the Frosinone star still has a year left on his current club's contract.
The 2008 champions were pursuing the star to bring him to EnergyAustralia next season and had a contract to offer the star after spotting him in this weekend's game against Socceroo Carl Valeri's Grosseto at the weekend.
"He was a quality player and we were certainly very interested in him," van Egmond told the Newcastle Herald.
"Unfortunately, the club has him under contract for another year and are pretty keen to keep him. I would suggest that one is not going to happen. There are a few more options we can explore.
"Remo [Nogarotto] has some more games lined up and we have dinner with an agent tomorrow night.
"At the end of the day they have to be quality and give us something different to what we have at home. The attacking third is a priority, especially at the point."
The club's attention has now returned to Aussie Adrian Madaschi playing for Portosummaga in Serie C.
Van Egmond told The Herald<: "He is neat and tidy on the ball, he is a big boy, a lefty and something we definitely could use.
"His team looks like they are going to be in the play-offs and may not finish the season until mid-June.
"That is something we are going to have to consider."
The club are still chasing the signature of former Victory badboy Ljubo Milicevic to bolster their backline and the burly defender is keen to join.
His manager and brother Steve Milicevic told The Herald: "Obviously, the details have to be nutted out, but from what I can see there is nothing standing in the way.
"There has been interest from other A-League clubs and also overseas, but the Jets are the champion team and have a great coach. Hopefully we can work something out."
Monday, April 28, 2008
Players axed, Philani ready
FOXSPORTS
By Val Migliaccio
ADELAIDE United boss Aurelio Vidmar's second end-of-season player cull is turning into an annual treasure hunt for rival A-League clubs, while South African striker Philani wants to be a Red.
Vietnam's Binh Duong creative forward exclusively told The Advertiser that he's ready for a move to United.
"I want to come to Adelaide," Philani said from Ho Chi Minh City yesterday. "I'm going to be sent something (a contract) soon.
"I like the place, Australia I like it, my contract comes up this August.
"But I can sort it out (earlier) - not a problem."
Adelaide, however, may have a fight on its hands with American MLS club Columbus Crew edging for Philani's signature.
Last week Adelaide put Shaun Ontong, 20, Milan Susak, 24, and keeper Robert Bajic, 30 on the free list. They joined Bobby Petta and Dez Giraldi on the outer.
While the departing quintet weren't regular starters last season they all commanded respectable critiques when flung into action.
They handed Vidmar options when injury or suspension struck Adelaide's "favoured" starting XI - even during its current AFC Champions League campaign.
Vidmar's "security blanket" will no longer be available next season - at least until he has found suitable replacements. Premier Newcastle Jets are set to gain most of Adelaide's jettisoned members.
Ex-Young Socceroos captain Ontong, the Reds 2008 best team man recipient, was snapped up by Jets when he became a free agent last week.
Susak and Petta are believed to be close to joining the Jets - next season's AFC Champions League A-League representative - beside Central Coast Mariners.
Striker Giraldi is due to sign for Frank Farina's Queensland Roar while Richie Alagich will retire at the end of the AFC Champions League Group E stage in May.
But Adelaide's Olyroos Nathan Burns and Bruce Djite could turn the revolving exit door into a dilemma if the pair land expected European contracts next season.
Vidmar is on the hunt for another striker, a right full back and a creative midfielder, he said.
Cutting players is his most difficult assignment, Vidmar added.
"It's not nice," Vidmar said. "All of them - it's the worst part of the job. We have to go up to them to tell them."
Last year four out of the seven players released by Adelaide all made A-League impacts.
Former skipper Ross Aloisi, at Wellington Phoenix, led the 2007 Reds A-League invasion.
Ex-Red Greg Owens picked up the premier's plate and a spot in the 2009 Champions League at Mariners, Matthew Kemp joined Melbourne Victory, while Kristian Rees teamed up with Aloisi.
By Val Migliaccio
ADELAIDE United boss Aurelio Vidmar's second end-of-season player cull is turning into an annual treasure hunt for rival A-League clubs, while South African striker Philani wants to be a Red.
Vietnam's Binh Duong creative forward exclusively told The Advertiser that he's ready for a move to United.
"I want to come to Adelaide," Philani said from Ho Chi Minh City yesterday. "I'm going to be sent something (a contract) soon.
"I like the place, Australia I like it, my contract comes up this August.
"But I can sort it out (earlier) - not a problem."
Adelaide, however, may have a fight on its hands with American MLS club Columbus Crew edging for Philani's signature.
Last week Adelaide put Shaun Ontong, 20, Milan Susak, 24, and keeper Robert Bajic, 30 on the free list. They joined Bobby Petta and Dez Giraldi on the outer.
While the departing quintet weren't regular starters last season they all commanded respectable critiques when flung into action.
They handed Vidmar options when injury or suspension struck Adelaide's "favoured" starting XI - even during its current AFC Champions League campaign.
Vidmar's "security blanket" will no longer be available next season - at least until he has found suitable replacements. Premier Newcastle Jets are set to gain most of Adelaide's jettisoned members.
Ex-Young Socceroos captain Ontong, the Reds 2008 best team man recipient, was snapped up by Jets when he became a free agent last week.
Susak and Petta are believed to be close to joining the Jets - next season's AFC Champions League A-League representative - beside Central Coast Mariners.
Striker Giraldi is due to sign for Frank Farina's Queensland Roar while Richie Alagich will retire at the end of the AFC Champions League Group E stage in May.
But Adelaide's Olyroos Nathan Burns and Bruce Djite could turn the revolving exit door into a dilemma if the pair land expected European contracts next season.
Vidmar is on the hunt for another striker, a right full back and a creative midfielder, he said.
Cutting players is his most difficult assignment, Vidmar added.
"It's not nice," Vidmar said. "All of them - it's the worst part of the job. We have to go up to them to tell them."
Last year four out of the seven players released by Adelaide all made A-League impacts.
Former skipper Ross Aloisi, at Wellington Phoenix, led the 2007 Reds A-League invasion.
Ex-Red Greg Owens picked up the premier's plate and a spot in the 2009 Champions League at Mariners, Matthew Kemp joined Melbourne Victory, while Kristian Rees teamed up with Aloisi.
Ex-Jet Jardel Admits Drug Use
FOUR FOUR TWO
NEWCASTLE Jets flop Mario Jardel has admitted to drug use during his career and is no example to youngsters...but he still wants to play.
Super Mario gave an interview in his native Brazil over the weekend, pouring out his heart and claiming that the most beautiful thing in the world is to recognise one’s mistakes.
The striker who failed to find either fitness or the net for Gary van Egmond’s men last season is now looking for a fresh challenge with a new club.
He was once one of world football’s top strikers and crashed in more than 160 goals for FC Porto in the nineties.
A move to Turkish giants Galatasary followed before he returned for a second, less successful spell in Portugal.
Jardel was released from Sporting before the 2003/4 season and has had spells at eight different clubs, most recently the Jets.
He told Globoesports: “It all started with bad friendships. Then came my divorce, depression and drugs.
“Today, I want to start over. I am training, but I am no example to any child.
“Don't do what I did, because it's no example, I am starting over and acknowledging my mistakes, I want to win from now on.
“I only consumed one drug, cocaine, but not while I was playing: I only took it during vacations.
“I am seeking a new club to reignite my career, because I have the quality and the potential.
“My biggest dream is to return to the fields with a big team.
“When I went to some smaller teams, how could I score if there were no players that could put the ball in my feet? It all got worse and the problems snowballed.
“I will only play again if it is for a big team, like Grêmio or Vasco da Gama. I would like to return to one of these two clubs and prove that I can do it.”
NEWCASTLE Jets flop Mario Jardel has admitted to drug use during his career and is no example to youngsters...but he still wants to play.
Super Mario gave an interview in his native Brazil over the weekend, pouring out his heart and claiming that the most beautiful thing in the world is to recognise one’s mistakes.
The striker who failed to find either fitness or the net for Gary van Egmond’s men last season is now looking for a fresh challenge with a new club.
He was once one of world football’s top strikers and crashed in more than 160 goals for FC Porto in the nineties.
A move to Turkish giants Galatasary followed before he returned for a second, less successful spell in Portugal.
Jardel was released from Sporting before the 2003/4 season and has had spells at eight different clubs, most recently the Jets.
He told Globoesports: “It all started with bad friendships. Then came my divorce, depression and drugs.
“Today, I want to start over. I am training, but I am no example to any child.
“Don't do what I did, because it's no example, I am starting over and acknowledging my mistakes, I want to win from now on.
“I only consumed one drug, cocaine, but not while I was playing: I only took it during vacations.
“I am seeking a new club to reignite my career, because I have the quality and the potential.
“My biggest dream is to return to the fields with a big team.
“When I went to some smaller teams, how could I score if there were no players that could put the ball in my feet? It all got worse and the problems snowballed.
“I will only play again if it is for a big team, like Grêmio or Vasco da Gama. I would like to return to one of these two clubs and prove that I can do it.”
Friday, April 25, 2008
A-League - Who's In, Who's Out
FOUR FOUR TWO
WHILE most A-League players were on holiday during April, there has been plenty of movement among the clubs as they all look to revamp their squads for next season.
Adelaide United and Melbourne Victory have had to delay their off-season break due to their participation in the AFC Champions League, but that has not stopped them adjusting their player rosters accordingly. Adelaide United have re-signed Nathan Burns (2 years), Lucas Pantelis (2 years), Michael Valkanis (1 year), Angelo Costanzo (1 year) and Daniel Beltrame (1 year) as well as adding Sasa Ognenovski from Queensland Roar (2 years) and Daniel Mullen from the AIS (1 year), with Bobby Petta, Dez Giraldi, Shaun Ontong, Robert Bajic and Milan Susak released by the club.
Melbourne Victory bolstered their squad for the AFC Champions League with the resigning of Daniel Vasilevski (2 years), Steven Pace (2 years) and Nick Ward (1 year) as well as adding Billy Celeski (Perth Glory – 1 year) and Tom Pondeljak (Central Coast Mariners – 2 years), with youngster Nathan Elasi and goalkeeper Steve Mautone on board as a short-term signings to provide cover during Asia’s premier club competition. The Victory released Adrian Caceres and Ljubo Milicevic.
Hyundai A-League 2008 Grand Finalists, the Central Coast Mariners, have had to rebuild following the departure of John Aloisi (end of contract), Tom Pondeljak (Melbourne Victory), Alvin Ceccoli (released) and the retirement of Tony Vidmar. Coach Lawrie McKinna has rewarded loyalty and performance by offering revised contracts to Nigel Boogaard (2 years), John Hutchinson (2 years), Mile Jedinak (2 years), Brad Porter (2 years), Matt Simon (2 years) and has also added Adrian Caceres from Melbourne Victory (2 years), Ahmad Elrich (Wellington Phoenix – 2 years) and former Australian Youth international Dylan Macallister from Norwegian club FC Lyn Norway (2 years).
Hyundai A-League 2008 Champions, the Newcastle Jets, will see a very different squad at pre-season training compared with the one that held the Championship trophy aloft at the Sydney Football Stadium in February. Gary Van Egmond has shown faith in his younger players and re-signed Tarek Elrich (2 years), Adam D'Apuzzo (2 years) and goalkeeper Ben Kennedy (2 years), whilst recently adding former Adelaide United Shaun Ontong (2 years) and young AIS striker Jason Naidovski (2 years). Leaving EnergyAustralia Stadium are Andrew Durante (Wellington Phoenix), Mark Bridge (Sydney FC), Denni (released), Jorge Drovandi (released), Steve Eagleton (retired), Troy Hearfield (Wellington Phoenix), Mario Jardel (released), Paul Kohler (released), Stuart Musialik (Sydney FC), Scott Tunbridge (released). With plenty of room left in the roster, Van Egmond is about to embark on a European scouting trip to eye potential signings. On his return to Australia, he will detour via Japan to assess the form of his star striker Joel Griffiths who is currently on loan at Avispa Fukuoka in the J-League Division 2.
David Mitchell begins his first full season as the Head Coach of Perth Glory and has the opportunity to construct a squad of his own. Jamie Harnwell (2 years), Jamie Coyne (2 years), James Robinson (1 year), David Tarka (1 year), Jimmy Downey (2 years)and Naum Sekulovski (1 year) have been re-signed and local Western Australian Josip Magdic and Ivorian Eugene Dadi have also been added to the club. The departure of Simon Colosimo (Sydney FC), Leo Bertos (Wellington Phoenix), Billy Celeski (Melbourne Victory) and Stan Lazaridis (released) will still leave Mitchell with a number of positions to full before the season starts.
Queensland Roar coach Frank Farina has travelled to Brazil during the off-season to visit Atletico Mineiro on a fact finding mission and will also be looking to add some new names to his team sheet after losing Sasa Ognenovski (Adelaide United), Reinaldo (Busan I'Park, Korea Republic), Simon Lynch (released) and Marcinho (released). Local favourites Josh McLoughan and Griffin McMaster have both been rewarded with 2 year contracts each. Young Queenslanders Tim Smits (Rochedale Rovers - QLD, 2 years) and David Dodd (Palm Beach - QLD, 2 years) along with AIS pair of Luke Devere and Isaka Cernak the have also recently joined the club for pre-season training. Adam – there’s also a young guy mentioned in today’s GC Bulletin
Sydney FC has signed Qantas Socceroo John Aloisi (2 years) as the club’s new marquee player along with Simon Colosimo (Perth Glory – 2 years), Stuart Musialik (Newcastle Jets – 2 years) and Mark Bridge (Newcastle Jets – 3 years). Leaving Sydney are former club captain Mark Rudan (Avispa Fukuoka, Japan), Ufuk Talay (Avispa Fukuoka, Japan), David Zdrilic (released), Ruben Zadkovich (Derby County, England), Patrick (released) and Ben Vidaic (released), whilst Adam Biddle (to Blacktown City, NSW), Ivan Necevski (to Blacktown City, NSW), Nick Tsattlios (to Penrith Nepean, NSW) are all keeping sharp with a stint in the NSW Premier League.
Although any deal to bring Juninho back to Sydney under the salary cap is understood to have fallen through, the club has yet to formally notify the FFA that he has been released ahead of next season.
After their inaugural season in the Hyundai A-League competition, the Wellington Phoenix has resigned Vince Lia (2 years) and added New Zealand International and Wellington local Leo Bertos from Perth Glory (2 years) and fellow Kiwi Ben Sigmund (Auckland City, NZ - 1 year) . Australians’ Andrew Durante (2 years - Newcastle Jets), Troy Hearfield (2 years - Newcastle Jets) and Jon McKain (2 years - from Politechnica Timisoara, Romania*) as well as Chinese import Lei lei Gao (MyPa, Finland) have also taken up new contracts in the New Zealand capital. Leaving the Phoenix are the foundation captain Ross Aloisi (retired), Steven O’Dor (released), Cleberson (released), George Paladini (released), Ahmad Elrich (Central Coast Mariners), Felipe (released), Kristian Rees (short-term player, released), Jacob Spoonley (released) and Steven Old (Macarthur Rams, NSW Premier League).
With still around three and half months to the kick-off of the Hyundai A-League 2008-09 season, Football Federation Australia will provide further updates at the end of May and June and again at the start of the season in August.
Adelaide United
Re-signed – Nathan Burns (2 years), Lucas Pantelis (2 years), Michael Valkanis (1 year), Angelo Costanzo (1 year), Daniel Beltrame (1 year)
In – Daniel Mullen (1 year), Sasa Ognenovski (Queensland Roar)
Out – Bobby Petta (released at completion of contract), Dez Giraldi (released - after AFC Champions League), Shaun Ontong (Newcastle Jets), Robert Bajic (released), Milan Susak (released)
Central Coast Mariners
Re-signed – Nigel Boogaard (2 years), John Hutchinson (2 years), Mile Jedinak (2 years), Brad Porter (2 years), Matt Simon (2 years)
In – Adrian Caceres (Melbourne Victory - after AFC Champions League), Ahmad Elrich (Wellington Phoenix), Dylan Macallister (FC Lyn, Norway)
Out – John Aloisi (end of contract), Tom Pondeljak (Melbourne Victory), Tony Vidmar (retired)
Melbourne Victory
Re-signed - Daniel Vasilevski (2 years), Stephen Pace (2 years), Nick Ward (1 year)
In – Nathan Elasi (6 months – AFC Champions League only), Billy Celeski (Perth Glory), Tom Pondeljak (Central Coast Mariners)
Out – Adrian Caceres (Central Coast Mariners – after AFC Champions League), Ljubo Milicevic (released)
Newcastle Jets
Re-signed - Tarek Elrich (2 years), Adam D'Apuzzo (2 years), Ben Kennedy (2 years)
In – Jason Naidovski (AIS), Shaun Ontong (Adelaide United)
Out – Andrew Durante (Wellington Phoenix), Mark Bridge (Sydney FC), Denni (released), Jorge Drovandi (released), Steve Eagleton (retired), Troy Hearfield (Wellington Phoenix), Mario Jardel (released), Paul Kohler (released), Stuart Musialik (Sydney FC), Scott Tunbridge (released).
On-Loan - Joel Griffiths (to Avispa Fukuoka, Japan)
Perth Glory
Re-signed – Jamie Harnwell (2 years), Jamie Coyne (2 years), James Robinson (1 year), David Tarka (1 year), Jimmy Downey (2 years), Naum Sekulovski (1 year),
In – Eugene Dadi (1 year, Hapoel Acre, Israel), Josip Magdic (Floreat Athena, WA)
Out – Simon Colosimo (Sydney FC), Leo Bertos (Wellington Phoenix), Billy Celeski (Melbourne Victory), Stan Lazaridis (released)
On-Loan - Jamie Harnwell (to FC Vaduz, Switzerland/Liechtenstein)
Queensland Roar
Re-signed - Josh McCloughan (2 years), Griffin McMaster (2 years)
In – Tim Smits (Rochedale Rovers - QLD, 2 years), David Dodd (Palm Beach - QLD, 2 years), Tommy Oar.
Out – Sasa Ognenovski (Adelaide United), Reinaldo (Busan I'Park, Korea Republic), Simon Lynch (released), Marcinho (released)
Sydney FC
In – Simon Colosimo (Perth Glory), John Aloisi (Central Coast Mariners), Mark Bridge (Newcastle Jets), Stuart Musialik (Newcastle Jets)
Out – Mark Rudan (Avispa Fukuoka, Japan), Ufuk Talay (Avispa Fukuoka, Japan),
David Zdrilic (released), Ruben Zadkovich (Derby County, England), Patrick (released), Ben Vidaic (released)
On-Loan - Adam Biddle (to Blacktown City, NSW), Ivan Necevski (to Blacktown City, NSW), Nick Tsattlios (to Penrith-Nepean, NSW)
Wellington Phoenix
Re-signed – Vince Lia (2 years)
In – Leo Bertos (2 years - Perth Glory), Andrew Durante (2 years - Newcastle Jets), Jon McKain (2 years - from Politechnica Timisoara, Romania), Leilei Gao (MyPa, Finland), Troy Hearfield (2 years - Newcastle Jets), Ben Sigmund (1 year - Auckland City, NZ)
Out – Ross Aloisi (retired), Steven O’Dor (released), Cleberson (released), George Paladini (released), Ahmad Elrich (Central Coast Mariners), Felipe (released), Kristian Rees (short-term player, released), Jacob Spoonley (released), Steven Old (Macarthur Rams, NSW Premier League)
On-Loan – Costa Barbarouses (to Macarthur Rams, NSW), Greg Draper (to Whittlesea Zebras, Victoria)
Note: All listings above are official confirmations.
WHILE most A-League players were on holiday during April, there has been plenty of movement among the clubs as they all look to revamp their squads for next season.
Adelaide United and Melbourne Victory have had to delay their off-season break due to their participation in the AFC Champions League, but that has not stopped them adjusting their player rosters accordingly. Adelaide United have re-signed Nathan Burns (2 years), Lucas Pantelis (2 years), Michael Valkanis (1 year), Angelo Costanzo (1 year) and Daniel Beltrame (1 year) as well as adding Sasa Ognenovski from Queensland Roar (2 years) and Daniel Mullen from the AIS (1 year), with Bobby Petta, Dez Giraldi, Shaun Ontong, Robert Bajic and Milan Susak released by the club.
Melbourne Victory bolstered their squad for the AFC Champions League with the resigning of Daniel Vasilevski (2 years), Steven Pace (2 years) and Nick Ward (1 year) as well as adding Billy Celeski (Perth Glory – 1 year) and Tom Pondeljak (Central Coast Mariners – 2 years), with youngster Nathan Elasi and goalkeeper Steve Mautone on board as a short-term signings to provide cover during Asia’s premier club competition. The Victory released Adrian Caceres and Ljubo Milicevic.
Hyundai A-League 2008 Grand Finalists, the Central Coast Mariners, have had to rebuild following the departure of John Aloisi (end of contract), Tom Pondeljak (Melbourne Victory), Alvin Ceccoli (released) and the retirement of Tony Vidmar. Coach Lawrie McKinna has rewarded loyalty and performance by offering revised contracts to Nigel Boogaard (2 years), John Hutchinson (2 years), Mile Jedinak (2 years), Brad Porter (2 years), Matt Simon (2 years) and has also added Adrian Caceres from Melbourne Victory (2 years), Ahmad Elrich (Wellington Phoenix – 2 years) and former Australian Youth international Dylan Macallister from Norwegian club FC Lyn Norway (2 years).
Hyundai A-League 2008 Champions, the Newcastle Jets, will see a very different squad at pre-season training compared with the one that held the Championship trophy aloft at the Sydney Football Stadium in February. Gary Van Egmond has shown faith in his younger players and re-signed Tarek Elrich (2 years), Adam D'Apuzzo (2 years) and goalkeeper Ben Kennedy (2 years), whilst recently adding former Adelaide United Shaun Ontong (2 years) and young AIS striker Jason Naidovski (2 years). Leaving EnergyAustralia Stadium are Andrew Durante (Wellington Phoenix), Mark Bridge (Sydney FC), Denni (released), Jorge Drovandi (released), Steve Eagleton (retired), Troy Hearfield (Wellington Phoenix), Mario Jardel (released), Paul Kohler (released), Stuart Musialik (Sydney FC), Scott Tunbridge (released). With plenty of room left in the roster, Van Egmond is about to embark on a European scouting trip to eye potential signings. On his return to Australia, he will detour via Japan to assess the form of his star striker Joel Griffiths who is currently on loan at Avispa Fukuoka in the J-League Division 2.
David Mitchell begins his first full season as the Head Coach of Perth Glory and has the opportunity to construct a squad of his own. Jamie Harnwell (2 years), Jamie Coyne (2 years), James Robinson (1 year), David Tarka (1 year), Jimmy Downey (2 years)and Naum Sekulovski (1 year) have been re-signed and local Western Australian Josip Magdic and Ivorian Eugene Dadi have also been added to the club. The departure of Simon Colosimo (Sydney FC), Leo Bertos (Wellington Phoenix), Billy Celeski (Melbourne Victory) and Stan Lazaridis (released) will still leave Mitchell with a number of positions to full before the season starts.
Queensland Roar coach Frank Farina has travelled to Brazil during the off-season to visit Atletico Mineiro on a fact finding mission and will also be looking to add some new names to his team sheet after losing Sasa Ognenovski (Adelaide United), Reinaldo (Busan I'Park, Korea Republic), Simon Lynch (released) and Marcinho (released). Local favourites Josh McLoughan and Griffin McMaster have both been rewarded with 2 year contracts each. Young Queenslanders Tim Smits (Rochedale Rovers - QLD, 2 years) and David Dodd (Palm Beach - QLD, 2 years) along with AIS pair of Luke Devere and Isaka Cernak the have also recently joined the club for pre-season training. Adam – there’s also a young guy mentioned in today’s GC Bulletin
Sydney FC has signed Qantas Socceroo John Aloisi (2 years) as the club’s new marquee player along with Simon Colosimo (Perth Glory – 2 years), Stuart Musialik (Newcastle Jets – 2 years) and Mark Bridge (Newcastle Jets – 3 years). Leaving Sydney are former club captain Mark Rudan (Avispa Fukuoka, Japan), Ufuk Talay (Avispa Fukuoka, Japan), David Zdrilic (released), Ruben Zadkovich (Derby County, England), Patrick (released) and Ben Vidaic (released), whilst Adam Biddle (to Blacktown City, NSW), Ivan Necevski (to Blacktown City, NSW), Nick Tsattlios (to Penrith Nepean, NSW) are all keeping sharp with a stint in the NSW Premier League.
Although any deal to bring Juninho back to Sydney under the salary cap is understood to have fallen through, the club has yet to formally notify the FFA that he has been released ahead of next season.
After their inaugural season in the Hyundai A-League competition, the Wellington Phoenix has resigned Vince Lia (2 years) and added New Zealand International and Wellington local Leo Bertos from Perth Glory (2 years) and fellow Kiwi Ben Sigmund (Auckland City, NZ - 1 year) . Australians’ Andrew Durante (2 years - Newcastle Jets), Troy Hearfield (2 years - Newcastle Jets) and Jon McKain (2 years - from Politechnica Timisoara, Romania*) as well as Chinese import Lei lei Gao (MyPa, Finland) have also taken up new contracts in the New Zealand capital. Leaving the Phoenix are the foundation captain Ross Aloisi (retired), Steven O’Dor (released), Cleberson (released), George Paladini (released), Ahmad Elrich (Central Coast Mariners), Felipe (released), Kristian Rees (short-term player, released), Jacob Spoonley (released) and Steven Old (Macarthur Rams, NSW Premier League).
With still around three and half months to the kick-off of the Hyundai A-League 2008-09 season, Football Federation Australia will provide further updates at the end of May and June and again at the start of the season in August.
Adelaide United
Re-signed – Nathan Burns (2 years), Lucas Pantelis (2 years), Michael Valkanis (1 year), Angelo Costanzo (1 year), Daniel Beltrame (1 year)
In – Daniel Mullen (1 year), Sasa Ognenovski (Queensland Roar)
Out – Bobby Petta (released at completion of contract), Dez Giraldi (released - after AFC Champions League), Shaun Ontong (Newcastle Jets), Robert Bajic (released), Milan Susak (released)
Central Coast Mariners
Re-signed – Nigel Boogaard (2 years), John Hutchinson (2 years), Mile Jedinak (2 years), Brad Porter (2 years), Matt Simon (2 years)
In – Adrian Caceres (Melbourne Victory - after AFC Champions League), Ahmad Elrich (Wellington Phoenix), Dylan Macallister (FC Lyn, Norway)
Out – John Aloisi (end of contract), Tom Pondeljak (Melbourne Victory), Tony Vidmar (retired)
Melbourne Victory
Re-signed - Daniel Vasilevski (2 years), Stephen Pace (2 years), Nick Ward (1 year)
In – Nathan Elasi (6 months – AFC Champions League only), Billy Celeski (Perth Glory), Tom Pondeljak (Central Coast Mariners)
Out – Adrian Caceres (Central Coast Mariners – after AFC Champions League), Ljubo Milicevic (released)
Newcastle Jets
Re-signed - Tarek Elrich (2 years), Adam D'Apuzzo (2 years), Ben Kennedy (2 years)
In – Jason Naidovski (AIS), Shaun Ontong (Adelaide United)
Out – Andrew Durante (Wellington Phoenix), Mark Bridge (Sydney FC), Denni (released), Jorge Drovandi (released), Steve Eagleton (retired), Troy Hearfield (Wellington Phoenix), Mario Jardel (released), Paul Kohler (released), Stuart Musialik (Sydney FC), Scott Tunbridge (released).
On-Loan - Joel Griffiths (to Avispa Fukuoka, Japan)
Perth Glory
Re-signed – Jamie Harnwell (2 years), Jamie Coyne (2 years), James Robinson (1 year), David Tarka (1 year), Jimmy Downey (2 years), Naum Sekulovski (1 year),
In – Eugene Dadi (1 year, Hapoel Acre, Israel), Josip Magdic (Floreat Athena, WA)
Out – Simon Colosimo (Sydney FC), Leo Bertos (Wellington Phoenix), Billy Celeski (Melbourne Victory), Stan Lazaridis (released)
On-Loan - Jamie Harnwell (to FC Vaduz, Switzerland/Liechtenstein)
Queensland Roar
Re-signed - Josh McCloughan (2 years), Griffin McMaster (2 years)
In – Tim Smits (Rochedale Rovers - QLD, 2 years), David Dodd (Palm Beach - QLD, 2 years), Tommy Oar.
Out – Sasa Ognenovski (Adelaide United), Reinaldo (Busan I'Park, Korea Republic), Simon Lynch (released), Marcinho (released)
Sydney FC
In – Simon Colosimo (Perth Glory), John Aloisi (Central Coast Mariners), Mark Bridge (Newcastle Jets), Stuart Musialik (Newcastle Jets)
Out – Mark Rudan (Avispa Fukuoka, Japan), Ufuk Talay (Avispa Fukuoka, Japan),
David Zdrilic (released), Ruben Zadkovich (Derby County, England), Patrick (released), Ben Vidaic (released)
On-Loan - Adam Biddle (to Blacktown City, NSW), Ivan Necevski (to Blacktown City, NSW), Nick Tsattlios (to Penrith-Nepean, NSW)
Wellington Phoenix
Re-signed – Vince Lia (2 years)
In – Leo Bertos (2 years - Perth Glory), Andrew Durante (2 years - Newcastle Jets), Jon McKain (2 years - from Politechnica Timisoara, Romania), Leilei Gao (MyPa, Finland), Troy Hearfield (2 years - Newcastle Jets), Ben Sigmund (1 year - Auckland City, NZ)
Out – Ross Aloisi (retired), Steven O’Dor (released), Cleberson (released), George Paladini (released), Ahmad Elrich (Central Coast Mariners), Felipe (released), Kristian Rees (short-term player, released), Jacob Spoonley (released), Steven Old (Macarthur Rams, NSW Premier League)
On-Loan – Costa Barbarouses (to Macarthur Rams, NSW), Greg Draper (to Whittlesea Zebras, Victoria)
Note: All listings above are official confirmations.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Gary's Cup of Joy
FOUR FOUR TWO
By Jon Ritson
EXCLUSIVE: Gary van Egmond hopes FFA plans to introduce an English-style FA Cup competition for the A-League will become reality sooner rather than later.
As revealed by au.fourfourtwo.com last month, CEO Ben Buckley and his colleagues are currently examining the logistics for a cup competition, although it is not yet clear when it will be introduced.
The Newcastle Jets coach is a big fan of the idea and believes it will be hugely beneficial for football as a whole in Australia and be of great benefit to players.
The A-League coaches are all united in their belief that the season is simply not long enough but van Egmond says his enthusiasm for a cup competition goes beyond a desire to simply aid the Jets’ cause.
Currently on a scouting and fact-finding mission to Europe, the Newcastle boss said: “I think this would be a fantastic thing for football in Australia, I really do.
“Hopefully we can see it as part of the calendar very soon and I think it would be another important step in helping football become further engrained in the sporting culture of this country.
“You can’t build tradition overnight, we all know that, but I think a cup competition can only add to the excitement and prestige of our sport.
“Clearly the A-League clubs would benefit, it’s more games in a season but hopefully it allows other clubs in other leagues to become part of it and to benefit from it.”
FFA chief executive Buckley admits Australia’s sheer size presents problems in terms of the cup’s structure.
He said: “We may have to create a unique format for Australia rather than just adopt what happens in other countries.”
While van Egmond looks for European talent on his trip, the Jets are believed to be in negotiations with Adelaide United’s Shaun Ontong with defender Ljubo Milicevic also still in the frame for a Jets role next season
Article Source http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/74554,garys-cup-of-joy.aspx
By Jon Ritson
EXCLUSIVE: Gary van Egmond hopes FFA plans to introduce an English-style FA Cup competition for the A-League will become reality sooner rather than later.
As revealed by au.fourfourtwo.com last month, CEO Ben Buckley and his colleagues are currently examining the logistics for a cup competition, although it is not yet clear when it will be introduced.
The Newcastle Jets coach is a big fan of the idea and believes it will be hugely beneficial for football as a whole in Australia and be of great benefit to players.
The A-League coaches are all united in their belief that the season is simply not long enough but van Egmond says his enthusiasm for a cup competition goes beyond a desire to simply aid the Jets’ cause.
Currently on a scouting and fact-finding mission to Europe, the Newcastle boss said: “I think this would be a fantastic thing for football in Australia, I really do.
“Hopefully we can see it as part of the calendar very soon and I think it would be another important step in helping football become further engrained in the sporting culture of this country.
“You can’t build tradition overnight, we all know that, but I think a cup competition can only add to the excitement and prestige of our sport.
“Clearly the A-League clubs would benefit, it’s more games in a season but hopefully it allows other clubs in other leagues to become part of it and to benefit from it.”
FFA chief executive Buckley admits Australia’s sheer size presents problems in terms of the cup’s structure.
He said: “We may have to create a unique format for Australia rather than just adopt what happens in other countries.”
While van Egmond looks for European talent on his trip, the Jets are believed to be in negotiations with Adelaide United’s Shaun Ontong with defender Ljubo Milicevic also still in the frame for a Jets role next season
Article Source http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/74554,garys-cup-of-joy.aspx
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Griffiths To Coach Future Jets?
FOUR FOUR TWO
By Jon Ritson
JOEL Griffiths will have a big say in bringing through the next generation of Newcastle Jets stars if club owner Con Constantine has his way.
That means a potential role for the striker in the Jets academy when that structure is in place – something the Jets say they are committed to developing.
Earlier this week, Griffiths expressed disappointment at only being offered a two-year deal by the club and is thought to want double that – this with a year on his current deal still to run.
Constantine has said that is something he is prepared to discuss with Griffiths but will do so when the player returns from his loan spell in Japan.
He told the Newcastle Herald: “It is no secret that I want Joel to stay in Newcastle. He has been a very good player for the club and has done so much for the club. We want to take that forward.
“I want to build a football academy, and Joel could have a role in that once he has finished playing.
“That can only be done once I sit down with Joel face to face. Is he only interested in staying in Newcastle for the three or four years of his football career, or does he want to go further and be part of an academy?”
The Jets have said that Griffiths could replace Mario Jardel as the club’s marquee player, something van Egmond told au.fourfourtwo.com earlier this week.
Constantine said: “Until I sit down with Joel it is very hard to say which way we are going to go.
“Joel has done the right thing by the club. The four of us myself, Gary van Egmond, Remo Nogarotto and Joel have to sit around the table, go through the motions, and work out what we are going to do next."
Constantine said the academy was part of a five-year plan. He said: “The academy is a major step forward. Three years ago I put a plan in place to win the grand final and we delivered. It gets harder as we go.
“The people who are around me and advising are telling me an academy is the way to go. We want to do something special. I want to see a situation where our academy will be so good that people from all over Australia will want to attend.”
He has already met with the University of Newcastle and hopes to put in place learning programs to coincide with the academy.
“What happens when our players finish in the A-League, say, after three years?" Constantine said. They don't know what to do next.
"I want to be in a position where we can say while you are in Newcastle there will be a program in place with the university where you can learn something. Then when you do finish football, they have something to look forward to."
He also said he was in negotiations with a couple of overseas clubs about playing a pre-season friendly against the Jets at EnergyAustralia Stadium.
Article Source http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/74260,griffiths-to-coach-future-jets.aspx
By Jon Ritson
JOEL Griffiths will have a big say in bringing through the next generation of Newcastle Jets stars if club owner Con Constantine has his way.
That means a potential role for the striker in the Jets academy when that structure is in place – something the Jets say they are committed to developing.
Earlier this week, Griffiths expressed disappointment at only being offered a two-year deal by the club and is thought to want double that – this with a year on his current deal still to run.
Constantine has said that is something he is prepared to discuss with Griffiths but will do so when the player returns from his loan spell in Japan.
He told the Newcastle Herald: “It is no secret that I want Joel to stay in Newcastle. He has been a very good player for the club and has done so much for the club. We want to take that forward.
“I want to build a football academy, and Joel could have a role in that once he has finished playing.
“That can only be done once I sit down with Joel face to face. Is he only interested in staying in Newcastle for the three or four years of his football career, or does he want to go further and be part of an academy?”
The Jets have said that Griffiths could replace Mario Jardel as the club’s marquee player, something van Egmond told au.fourfourtwo.com earlier this week.
Constantine said: “Until I sit down with Joel it is very hard to say which way we are going to go.
“Joel has done the right thing by the club. The four of us myself, Gary van Egmond, Remo Nogarotto and Joel have to sit around the table, go through the motions, and work out what we are going to do next."
Constantine said the academy was part of a five-year plan. He said: “The academy is a major step forward. Three years ago I put a plan in place to win the grand final and we delivered. It gets harder as we go.
“The people who are around me and advising are telling me an academy is the way to go. We want to do something special. I want to see a situation where our academy will be so good that people from all over Australia will want to attend.”
He has already met with the University of Newcastle and hopes to put in place learning programs to coincide with the academy.
“What happens when our players finish in the A-League, say, after three years?" Constantine said. They don't know what to do next.
"I want to be in a position where we can say while you are in Newcastle there will be a program in place with the university where you can learn something. Then when you do finish football, they have something to look forward to."
He also said he was in negotiations with a couple of overseas clubs about playing a pre-season friendly against the Jets at EnergyAustralia Stadium.
Article Source http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/74260,griffiths-to-coach-future-jets.aspx
Friday, April 18, 2008
Joel big part of Jets future: Constantine
THE NEWCASTLE HERALD
By James Gardiner
NEWCASTLE Jets owner Con Constantine has big plans for star striker Joel Griffiths which include a role at the club once his playing days are over.
Griffiths, who is in Japan on loan at Avispa Fukuoka, has a year to run on his contract at the Jets but is keen to settle his long-term future.
His adviser Luke Torossian met with Constantine and Jets chief executive John Tsatsimas this month to discuss a four-year extension.
The Herald reported yesterday Griffiths was disappointed with the Jets' initial offer of a two-year extension and had called on the club to show him some loyalty.
But Constantine said yesterday he would be more than happy to accommodate Griffiths's request, but he wanted to wait until the striker returned from Japan.
"It is no secret that I want Joel to stay in Newcastle," Constantine said. "He has been a very good player for the club and has done so much for the club.
"We want to take that forward.
"I want to build a [football] academy, and Joel could have a role in that once he has finished playing.
"That can only be done once I sit down with Joel face to face. Is he only interested in staying in Newcastle for the three or four years of his football career, or does he want to go further and be part of an academy?"
There is no doubt about Griffiths's value to the Jets, who yesterday lost out to Derby County in the battle for Olyroos utility Ruben Zadkovich.
Griffiths was the A-League and Jets player of the year and set a new goalscoring record in winning the competition's Golden Boot.
The Jets have hinted that Griffiths, who is on $170,000 a season, could replace flop Mario Jardel as the club's marquee player.
"Until I sit down with Joel it is very hard to say which way we are going to go," Constantine said.
"Joel has done the right thing by the club. The four of us myself, [coach] Gary [van Egmond], [director of football] Remo [Nogarotto] and Joel have to sit around the table, go through the motions, and work out what we are going to do next."
Constantine said the academy was part of a five-year plan.
"The academy is a major step forward," Constantine said.
"Three years ago I put a plan in place to win the grand final and we delivered. It gets harder as we go.
"The people who are around me and advising are telling me an academy is the way to go. We want to do something special. I want to see a situation where our academy will be so good that people from all over Australia will want to attend."
He has already met with the University of Newcastle and hopes to put in place learning programs to coincide with the academy.
"What happens when our players finish in the A-League, say, after three years?" Constantine said. "They don't know what to do next.
"I want to be in a position where we can say while you are in Newcastle there will be a program in place with the university where you can learn something. Then when you do finish football, they have something to look forward to."
He also said he was in negotiations with a couple of overseas clubs about playing a pre-season friendly against the Jets at EnergyAustralia Stadium.
Italian giants Juventus are expected to play a friendly against Melbourne Victory at the Telstra Dome on May 30 as part of an Asia-Pacific tour.
Greek side Olympiakos are also looking to play games in Australia.
"It is like football players until we sign the dotted line, nothing is 100 per cent," Constantine said.
Article Source http://theherald.yourguide.com.au/news/sport/soccer/joel-big-part-of-jets-future-constantine/1225983.html
Clubs diverge on foreign muscle
SYDNEY MORNING HERALD
By Michael Cockerill
HAVING won the championship, Newcastle Jets are readying themselves to take on Asia, and as football director Remo Nogarotto fits the final pieces of his recruiting puzzle he's convinced success will be decided by finding the right type of foreign talent to flesh out the squad.
Arch rivals Central Coast Mariners have taken a different approach - the minor premiers are likely to head into next year's Asian Champions League without a single import on their books. It's a stark contrast, and one which underlines the A-League's evolving philosophical divide. Foreigners, or not?
As it stands, the Mariners are likely to be the only club heading into the next domestic season without an import. Executive chairman Lyall Gorman admits he's surprised by the statistic, but on the evidence of the first three seasons of the A-League it's no great shock - German midfielder Andre Gumprecht and Scottish striker Stewart Petrie are the only visa players to have worn the yellow and blue.
Gorman hasn't ruled out recruiting an import specifically for the ACL, saying the club's recent partnership deal with Sheffield United "gives us the chance to consider our options". But he doesn't shy away from the Mariners' core policy, which is to develop Australian talent.
"Our history has been about repatriating Australian players, and developing our own talent - that's very much our focus," he said. "Our view is that unless you're talking about marquee category - and we've tended to shy away from that - then our own players are generally just as good as a lot of foreigners. I think our success rate over the last three years proves that."
Certainly the A-League's track record in the international transfer market remains a chequered one. For the first two years of the competition there were no restrictions on the number of imports, and clubs largely focused on British players.
Last season, Football Federation Australia tightened the regulations to limit each club to four visa players, a ceiling which will again apply next season. That makes 32 visa spots across the league. Last season only 25 were taken up, almost half of them Brazilian, and results were mixed.
Right now, only 14 imports have been registered for next season, but Queensland Roar, Newcastle Jets, Adelaide United, Perth Glory and Melbourne Victory are all trying to conclude deals with foreign recruits. Nonetheless, only Perth, Adelaide and Melbourne are likely to fill their quotas - meaning there will be fewer imports in the league next season than ever before.
That worries Nogarotto, who believes foreigners are crucial to the progress of the A-League - despite the travails of last season when the flop of Mario Jardel highlighted the perils of recruiting abroad. The Jets already have exciting Korean Song Jin-hyung under lock and key for next season, and coach Gary van Egmond will join Nogarotto in Europe next week to try to complete the signing of two more foreigners with the ACL campaign in mind.
"Players sourced from outside our shores do three things in my view," Nogarotto said. "Firstly, they can add a new technical dimension to our game. Secondly, they arouse interest and hype among the fans, and, thirdly, they help keep a lid on the inflationary pressures we've seen emerge from within the local talent pool.
"The sort of players I'm talking about are what I call second-tier imports. Players like Milton Rodriguez, Fred, and Song prove you can get that 'something different' at an affordable price and, most importantly, within the boundaries of the salary cap. Obviously we've made some mistakes in the past, as all clubs have, but it hasn't put us off. You've got to learn your lessons, and try and do it [recruiting] better, and smarter.
"The fact is we're a multi-cultural society, and we need to create an A-League which is not a mini-me version of the lower levels of the English leagues. And as far as the [Asian] Champions League is concerned, it's obvious you need a couple of quality imports if you're going to be competitive. It's not the same as lining up against A-League teams every weekend, you need a breadth of talent."
Queensland aren't going into Asia next year (although a wildcard entry is still a possibility), but they have a growing fan base to satisfy, and Roar chief executive Lawrence Oudendyk said: "Fans want foreign players, they add flavour, they add variety, they add excitement … if we could have four next season we would, but because of the salary cap it's more likely to be three.
"People talk about mistakes, but hopefully you make less of them as you get more experience of the market. The fact is, you can make mistakes with local players as well, and we believe imports add value on and off the field."
FOREIGN LEGION
Sydney FC: Mike Enfield (US), Terry McFlynn (N. Ireland)
Central Coast: None
Newcastle Jets: Song Jin-Hyung (South Korea)
Adelaide: Diego, Cassio (Brazil), Jonas Salley (Ivory Coast)
Queensland: Hyuk Su-Seo (South Korea)
Wellington: Daniel (Brazil), Leilei Gao (China)
Perth: James Robinson (England), Eugene Dadi (Ivory Coast)
Melbourne: Carlos Hernandez (Costa Rica), Joseph Keenan (England), Grant Brebner (Scotland)
Article Source http://www.smh.com.au/news/football/clubs-diverge-on-foreign-muscle/2008/04/17/1208025381800.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1
By Michael Cockerill
HAVING won the championship, Newcastle Jets are readying themselves to take on Asia, and as football director Remo Nogarotto fits the final pieces of his recruiting puzzle he's convinced success will be decided by finding the right type of foreign talent to flesh out the squad.
Arch rivals Central Coast Mariners have taken a different approach - the minor premiers are likely to head into next year's Asian Champions League without a single import on their books. It's a stark contrast, and one which underlines the A-League's evolving philosophical divide. Foreigners, or not?
As it stands, the Mariners are likely to be the only club heading into the next domestic season without an import. Executive chairman Lyall Gorman admits he's surprised by the statistic, but on the evidence of the first three seasons of the A-League it's no great shock - German midfielder Andre Gumprecht and Scottish striker Stewart Petrie are the only visa players to have worn the yellow and blue.
Gorman hasn't ruled out recruiting an import specifically for the ACL, saying the club's recent partnership deal with Sheffield United "gives us the chance to consider our options". But he doesn't shy away from the Mariners' core policy, which is to develop Australian talent.
"Our history has been about repatriating Australian players, and developing our own talent - that's very much our focus," he said. "Our view is that unless you're talking about marquee category - and we've tended to shy away from that - then our own players are generally just as good as a lot of foreigners. I think our success rate over the last three years proves that."
Certainly the A-League's track record in the international transfer market remains a chequered one. For the first two years of the competition there were no restrictions on the number of imports, and clubs largely focused on British players.
Last season, Football Federation Australia tightened the regulations to limit each club to four visa players, a ceiling which will again apply next season. That makes 32 visa spots across the league. Last season only 25 were taken up, almost half of them Brazilian, and results were mixed.
Right now, only 14 imports have been registered for next season, but Queensland Roar, Newcastle Jets, Adelaide United, Perth Glory and Melbourne Victory are all trying to conclude deals with foreign recruits. Nonetheless, only Perth, Adelaide and Melbourne are likely to fill their quotas - meaning there will be fewer imports in the league next season than ever before.
That worries Nogarotto, who believes foreigners are crucial to the progress of the A-League - despite the travails of last season when the flop of Mario Jardel highlighted the perils of recruiting abroad. The Jets already have exciting Korean Song Jin-hyung under lock and key for next season, and coach Gary van Egmond will join Nogarotto in Europe next week to try to complete the signing of two more foreigners with the ACL campaign in mind.
"Players sourced from outside our shores do three things in my view," Nogarotto said. "Firstly, they can add a new technical dimension to our game. Secondly, they arouse interest and hype among the fans, and, thirdly, they help keep a lid on the inflationary pressures we've seen emerge from within the local talent pool.
"The sort of players I'm talking about are what I call second-tier imports. Players like Milton Rodriguez, Fred, and Song prove you can get that 'something different' at an affordable price and, most importantly, within the boundaries of the salary cap. Obviously we've made some mistakes in the past, as all clubs have, but it hasn't put us off. You've got to learn your lessons, and try and do it [recruiting] better, and smarter.
"The fact is we're a multi-cultural society, and we need to create an A-League which is not a mini-me version of the lower levels of the English leagues. And as far as the [Asian] Champions League is concerned, it's obvious you need a couple of quality imports if you're going to be competitive. It's not the same as lining up against A-League teams every weekend, you need a breadth of talent."
Queensland aren't going into Asia next year (although a wildcard entry is still a possibility), but they have a growing fan base to satisfy, and Roar chief executive Lawrence Oudendyk said: "Fans want foreign players, they add flavour, they add variety, they add excitement … if we could have four next season we would, but because of the salary cap it's more likely to be three.
"People talk about mistakes, but hopefully you make less of them as you get more experience of the market. The fact is, you can make mistakes with local players as well, and we believe imports add value on and off the field."
FOREIGN LEGION
Sydney FC: Mike Enfield (US), Terry McFlynn (N. Ireland)
Central Coast: None
Newcastle Jets: Song Jin-Hyung (South Korea)
Adelaide: Diego, Cassio (Brazil), Jonas Salley (Ivory Coast)
Queensland: Hyuk Su-Seo (South Korea)
Wellington: Daniel (Brazil), Leilei Gao (China)
Perth: James Robinson (England), Eugene Dadi (Ivory Coast)
Melbourne: Carlos Hernandez (Costa Rica), Joseph Keenan (England), Grant Brebner (Scotland)
Article Source http://www.smh.com.au/news/football/clubs-diverge-on-foreign-muscle/2008/04/17/1208025381800.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Joel tells Con: Make me a Jet for life
THE NEWCASTLE HERALD
By James Gardiner
A-LEAGUE player of the year Joel Griffiths has thrown out a challenge to club owner Con Constantine: make me a Jet for life.
Griffiths, 28, has a year to run on his contract at the Jets but is keen to settle his long-term future sooner rather than later.
The star striker wants to finish his career in Newcastle and is aiming for a four-year extension.
"I want to make Newcastle my home and don't really want to play for any other A-League club," Griffiths told The Herald yesterday from Japan, where he is on loan at division-two club Avispa Fukuoka.
"But if you get pushed . . ."
Keen to accelerate talks, Griffiths, in consultation with financial adviser Luke Torossian, sent the Jets a formal letter outlining his plans but was disappointed at the club's initial offer of two extra years.
"They harp on about being loyal to the club, but they have to be loyal to the player as well," Griffiths said.
"I think I have been pretty loyal to the club.
"I have come back from Europe and cut my salary. I did not even talk to any other A-League club.
"The club has to come to the party to an extent.
"The money was not what I expected."
As well as the A-League player of the year, Griffiths won the Golden Boot setting a new goalscoring record and made a clean sweep of the Jets' major club awards.
In the process he has become the face of the Jets, and his influence at club level has been compared with that once held by league great Andrew Johns at the Knights.
"I am not going to sell myself short," Griffiths said.
"Without being big-headed or cocky, I know what I am worth on the field and off the field."
The Jets hinted at making Griffiths, who is on $170,000 a season, their marquee player, whose contract is not included in the $1.8 million salary cap.
But they appear to have moved away from that and are now looking at an Italian-based player for that role.
The Jets have already lost Stuart Musialik, Mark Bridge and Andrew Durante since beating Central Coast 1-0 in the grand final to win their maiden championship.
Any decision by Griffiths to leave is likely to influence the future of twin brother Adam, who also has a year to run on his contract but has an exit.
Article Source http://theherald.yourguide.com.au/news/sport/soccer/joel-tells-con-make-me-a-jet-for-life/1225155.html
By James Gardiner
A-LEAGUE player of the year Joel Griffiths has thrown out a challenge to club owner Con Constantine: make me a Jet for life.
Griffiths, 28, has a year to run on his contract at the Jets but is keen to settle his long-term future sooner rather than later.
The star striker wants to finish his career in Newcastle and is aiming for a four-year extension.
"I want to make Newcastle my home and don't really want to play for any other A-League club," Griffiths told The Herald yesterday from Japan, where he is on loan at division-two club Avispa Fukuoka.
"But if you get pushed . . ."
Keen to accelerate talks, Griffiths, in consultation with financial adviser Luke Torossian, sent the Jets a formal letter outlining his plans but was disappointed at the club's initial offer of two extra years.
"They harp on about being loyal to the club, but they have to be loyal to the player as well," Griffiths said.
"I think I have been pretty loyal to the club.
"I have come back from Europe and cut my salary. I did not even talk to any other A-League club.
"The club has to come to the party to an extent.
"The money was not what I expected."
As well as the A-League player of the year, Griffiths won the Golden Boot setting a new goalscoring record and made a clean sweep of the Jets' major club awards.
In the process he has become the face of the Jets, and his influence at club level has been compared with that once held by league great Andrew Johns at the Knights.
"I am not going to sell myself short," Griffiths said.
"Without being big-headed or cocky, I know what I am worth on the field and off the field."
The Jets hinted at making Griffiths, who is on $170,000 a season, their marquee player, whose contract is not included in the $1.8 million salary cap.
But they appear to have moved away from that and are now looking at an Italian-based player for that role.
The Jets have already lost Stuart Musialik, Mark Bridge and Andrew Durante since beating Central Coast 1-0 in the grand final to win their maiden championship.
Any decision by Griffiths to leave is likely to influence the future of twin brother Adam, who also has a year to run on his contract but has an exit.
Article Source http://theherald.yourguide.com.au/news/sport/soccer/joel-tells-con-make-me-a-jet-for-life/1225155.html
New Boy is Out To Prove Class
DERBY TELEGRAPH
By Steve Nicholson
Derby County's new Australian, Ruben Zadkovich, is determined to prove himself in English football after a previous spell with Notts County three years ago.
The 21-year-old central midfielder or right-back has agreed a two-year deal after impressing manager Paul Jewell in training at Moor Farm this week.
Zadkovich was a free agent after leaving Sydney FC last month but he is not allowed to pull on a Rams shirt this season because the move falls outside the transfer window.
He is Jewell's first signing for the Championship campaign, although another deal for a unnamed player, who is currently playing for a club, has been agreed.
"Ruben impressed us enormously," said Jewell. "A number of clubs have been interested in him and we wanted to make sure we didn't miss out on a fantastic talent."
Crystal Palace and newly-crowned Australian champions Newcastle Jets wanted to sign Zadkovich, who has a European passport through his Dutch-born mother.
As a teenager, he was in the youth and reserve teams at Queen's Park Rangers before signing for Notts in March 2005.
He made nine appearances but did not figure in Gudjon Thordarson's plans and returned to Australia later in the year to join Sydney, where he played 42 Hyundai A-League games.
Now Derby have handed him another chance to show what he can do in England and he is ready for the challenge.
"I am excited by this move," said Zadkovich, who turns 22 next month.
"It's a real buzz to be joining a club like Derby County and I'm determined to prove I can play in England.
"This is where I want to be playing my football. I felt this month was the perfect time to come over to England and showcase myself and earn myself a contract.
"I had a trial with Crystal Palace and they offered me a deal but I had other options and I was always keen on Derby."
Recalling his time at Notts, Zadkovich said: "We avoided relegation and everything was quite positive.
"I went away in the summer to play for Australia at the Under-20 World Championship and was on a real high because I had been playing League football and was playing for my country.
"When I got back to Notts for the following season, there was a new manager and new players, and I didn't get a look in.
"It was just a difference of opinion, these things happen in football. I was young and I just wanted to play. If I wasn't going to play, I wasn't going to hang round, and so I went back to Australia.
"I feel I've learned a lot since then and now I'm excited about the challenge ahead and excited to have signed for a manager who wants me at the club. I aim to take the opportunity.
"Derby is a brilliant club and the facilities are unbelievable. The team is not in the greatest of positions right now but the club is looking to next season and the future, and I'm glad to be a part of that.
"The manager (Paul Jewell) is determined to see the club bounce straight back to the Premier League and I am determined to help make that happen."
Zadkovich has also represented Australia at Under-23 level and was recently selected for the senior squad.
He has been described as a utility player.
"I have played a bit of both, midfield and right-back, but I prefer midfield," said Zadkovich, who added he would like to settle into a central midfield role.
Article Source http://www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=132277&command=displayContent&sourceNode=128334&contentPK=20418530&folderPk=78988&pNodeId=126358
By Steve Nicholson
Derby County's new Australian, Ruben Zadkovich, is determined to prove himself in English football after a previous spell with Notts County three years ago.
The 21-year-old central midfielder or right-back has agreed a two-year deal after impressing manager Paul Jewell in training at Moor Farm this week.
Zadkovich was a free agent after leaving Sydney FC last month but he is not allowed to pull on a Rams shirt this season because the move falls outside the transfer window.
He is Jewell's first signing for the Championship campaign, although another deal for a unnamed player, who is currently playing for a club, has been agreed.
"Ruben impressed us enormously," said Jewell. "A number of clubs have been interested in him and we wanted to make sure we didn't miss out on a fantastic talent."
Crystal Palace and newly-crowned Australian champions Newcastle Jets wanted to sign Zadkovich, who has a European passport through his Dutch-born mother.
As a teenager, he was in the youth and reserve teams at Queen's Park Rangers before signing for Notts in March 2005.
He made nine appearances but did not figure in Gudjon Thordarson's plans and returned to Australia later in the year to join Sydney, where he played 42 Hyundai A-League games.
Now Derby have handed him another chance to show what he can do in England and he is ready for the challenge.
"I am excited by this move," said Zadkovich, who turns 22 next month.
"It's a real buzz to be joining a club like Derby County and I'm determined to prove I can play in England.
"This is where I want to be playing my football. I felt this month was the perfect time to come over to England and showcase myself and earn myself a contract.
"I had a trial with Crystal Palace and they offered me a deal but I had other options and I was always keen on Derby."
Recalling his time at Notts, Zadkovich said: "We avoided relegation and everything was quite positive.
"I went away in the summer to play for Australia at the Under-20 World Championship and was on a real high because I had been playing League football and was playing for my country.
"When I got back to Notts for the following season, there was a new manager and new players, and I didn't get a look in.
"It was just a difference of opinion, these things happen in football. I was young and I just wanted to play. If I wasn't going to play, I wasn't going to hang round, and so I went back to Australia.
"I feel I've learned a lot since then and now I'm excited about the challenge ahead and excited to have signed for a manager who wants me at the club. I aim to take the opportunity.
"Derby is a brilliant club and the facilities are unbelievable. The team is not in the greatest of positions right now but the club is looking to next season and the future, and I'm glad to be a part of that.
"The manager (Paul Jewell) is determined to see the club bounce straight back to the Premier League and I am determined to help make that happen."
Zadkovich has also represented Australia at Under-23 level and was recently selected for the senior squad.
He has been described as a utility player.
"I have played a bit of both, midfield and right-back, but I prefer midfield," said Zadkovich, who added he would like to settle into a central midfield role.
Article Source http://www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=132277&command=displayContent&sourceNode=128334&contentPK=20418530&folderPk=78988&pNodeId=126358
Zadkovich Derby-bound as doubts over Neill's future
SYDNEY MORNING HERALD
Olyroos star Ruben Zadkovich will swap A-League football for the English Championship next season after snubbing the Newcastle Jets to sign a two-year deal with Derby County.
The 21-year-old former Sydney FC midfielder is set to join fellow Australian Mile Sterjovski at the relegation-bound Premier League club after impressing at a recent trial.
The announcement comes as reports surface that Socceroos defender Lucas Neill may be on the way out of West Ham as part of major spending cuts at the club.
Derby beat out the A-League champion Jets and Championship outfit Crystal Palace for the signature of Australian under-23 Zadkovich after he trialled at both Derby and Palace in recent weeks.
"Ruben impressed us enormously in training," Rams manager Paul Jewell told reporters.
"A number of clubs have been interested in him, and we wanted to make sure we didn't miss out on a fantastic talent."
Zadkovich received an early release from the the final few months of his contract with Sydney FC to trial in England, but appeared set to stay with the local competition after reportedly agreeing to terms with the club last month.
The chance to have a second crack in England - where he spent two years with QPR and Notts County as a teenager - however, was too good to pass up.
"I was very young then, and very inexperienced, but things have changed," he told Derby's website.
"Since then I have played a lot of international football with my age group, and I've been called up to the national side, so I'm ready to play.
"There are points to prove, especially to some people, but I love a challenge and I'm ready for that."
Palace manager Neil Warnock was believed to have tabled a two-year deal for Zadkovich recently, but the Australian reportedly turned down the offer.
While Derby are certain for relegation from the top flight, Palace may yet be headed in the opposite direction.
The club is currently sixth in the Championship with three games remaining, and will qualify for the four-team promotion playoff if they at least keep their position.
Zadkovich revealed the chance to play alongside Sterjovski, who signed with Derby in January, influenced his decision.
"Mile has been such a big help and he is one of the reasons why I wanted to come here," he said.
"He is such a nice person off the field and such a good player on it that I can only learn from him.
"To have a mate like that here, a fellow Australian, will be good for me.
"Obviously the facilities here are great, I saw that for myself, but Mile also spoke very highly of the club and gave me a lot of positive feedback.
"This is such a massive club and we can only expect bigger and better things."
Meanwhile, British newspaper The Daily Mirror has reported West Ham trio Neill, Freddie Ljungberg and Kieron Dyer face an uncertain future at the club as the Hammers look to drastically cut spending.
Manager Alan Curbishly is reportedly under pressure to slash the club's wages bill and possibly sell some players, with skipper Neill, who reportedly earns £90,000 ($189,000) a week, mentioned as a player that could be affected.
"Curbs will be told to shake-up the squad and that will leave £80,000 (A168,000)-a-week-plus men Ljungberg, Neill and Dyer at risk," the paper said.
The 29-year-old Australian joined West Ham from Blackburn in a £1.5 million ($3.15 million) deal in January last year.
Article Source http://www.smh.com.au/news/football/zadkovich-derbybound-as-doubts-over-neills-future/2008/04/17/1208025375460.html
Olyroos star Ruben Zadkovich will swap A-League football for the English Championship next season after snubbing the Newcastle Jets to sign a two-year deal with Derby County.
The 21-year-old former Sydney FC midfielder is set to join fellow Australian Mile Sterjovski at the relegation-bound Premier League club after impressing at a recent trial.
The announcement comes as reports surface that Socceroos defender Lucas Neill may be on the way out of West Ham as part of major spending cuts at the club.
Derby beat out the A-League champion Jets and Championship outfit Crystal Palace for the signature of Australian under-23 Zadkovich after he trialled at both Derby and Palace in recent weeks.
"Ruben impressed us enormously in training," Rams manager Paul Jewell told reporters.
"A number of clubs have been interested in him, and we wanted to make sure we didn't miss out on a fantastic talent."
Zadkovich received an early release from the the final few months of his contract with Sydney FC to trial in England, but appeared set to stay with the local competition after reportedly agreeing to terms with the club last month.
The chance to have a second crack in England - where he spent two years with QPR and Notts County as a teenager - however, was too good to pass up.
"I was very young then, and very inexperienced, but things have changed," he told Derby's website.
"Since then I have played a lot of international football with my age group, and I've been called up to the national side, so I'm ready to play.
"There are points to prove, especially to some people, but I love a challenge and I'm ready for that."
Palace manager Neil Warnock was believed to have tabled a two-year deal for Zadkovich recently, but the Australian reportedly turned down the offer.
While Derby are certain for relegation from the top flight, Palace may yet be headed in the opposite direction.
The club is currently sixth in the Championship with three games remaining, and will qualify for the four-team promotion playoff if they at least keep their position.
Zadkovich revealed the chance to play alongside Sterjovski, who signed with Derby in January, influenced his decision.
"Mile has been such a big help and he is one of the reasons why I wanted to come here," he said.
"He is such a nice person off the field and such a good player on it that I can only learn from him.
"To have a mate like that here, a fellow Australian, will be good for me.
"Obviously the facilities here are great, I saw that for myself, but Mile also spoke very highly of the club and gave me a lot of positive feedback.
"This is such a massive club and we can only expect bigger and better things."
Meanwhile, British newspaper The Daily Mirror has reported West Ham trio Neill, Freddie Ljungberg and Kieron Dyer face an uncertain future at the club as the Hammers look to drastically cut spending.
Manager Alan Curbishly is reportedly under pressure to slash the club's wages bill and possibly sell some players, with skipper Neill, who reportedly earns £90,000 ($189,000) a week, mentioned as a player that could be affected.
"Curbs will be told to shake-up the squad and that will leave £80,000 (A168,000)-a-week-plus men Ljungberg, Neill and Dyer at risk," the paper said.
The 29-year-old Australian joined West Ham from Blackburn in a £1.5 million ($3.15 million) deal in January last year.
Article Source http://www.smh.com.au/news/football/zadkovich-derbybound-as-doubts-over-neills-future/2008/04/17/1208025375460.html
Sign Me For Life, Says Joel
FOUR FOUR TWO
Jon Ritson
JOEL Griffiths wants to finish his career with the Newcastle Jets but won’t accept anything less than a long term deal from the club.
Last season’s A-League player of the year is unhappy with the two-year offer that has been put to him and wants at least four.
The 28-year-old still has a year to run on his existing contract but wants his future sorted sooner rather than later.
Griffiths says loyalty is a two-way street and says it shouldn’t always be a term to hit players with.
Coach Gary van Egmond told au.fourfourtwo.com this week that Griffiths was being considered for the marquee role next season. That would certainly boost the striker’s bank balance but the player is looking beyond immediate riches.
Griffiths is currently enjoying a loan spell with Japanese side Avispa Fukuoka and has already found the net for the club.
He has made no secret of his frustration at being omitted from the last Socceroos squad and may feel his international interests are better served by an overseas switch if the Jets are unwilling or unable to meet his demands.
He told the Newcastle Herald: “I want to make Newcastle my home and don't really want to play for any other A-League club.
“They (Newcastle) harp on about being loyal to the club, but they have to be loyal to the player as well. I think I have been pretty loyal to the club.
“I have come back from Europe and cut my salary. I did not even talk to any other A-League club. The club has to come to the party to an extent. The money was not what I expected."
As well claiming the Johnny Warren medal last year, Griffiths won the Golden Boot and enjoyed a clean sweep of the Jets' club awards.
He said: “I am not going to sell myself short. Without being big-headed or cocky, I know what I am worth on the field and off the field.”
His current coach has expressed the need for players to accept reality at EnergyAustralia Stadium. Van Egmond told this website: “Joel as a marquee is one of the issues we are looking at. There is an opportunity for a marquee with one or two spots still to fill in the attacking third.
“I suppose it’s a question of looking at what we are getting for our dollars when we look at that (marquee) spot or even within the salary cap.
“We are not the biggest club in the competition and you can’t just be asking players to name their price. It doesn’t work that way.
“Players looking for a new or improved deal at this football club have to face the facts. We are not the biggest club in the competition. We strive to be the best and we have had and will continue to strive for success.
“But there are certain facts that you cannot get away from. It’s like saying why doesn’t Fulham compete with Manchester United in the transfer market and spend the money that they do? They don’t because they can’t, they just don’t have it, fact!
“As a club we want to bring in and want to keep our quality players but we are where we are in terms of what we are able and prepared to do.”
Article Source http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/74110,sign-me-for-life-says-joel.aspx
Jon Ritson
JOEL Griffiths wants to finish his career with the Newcastle Jets but won’t accept anything less than a long term deal from the club.
Last season’s A-League player of the year is unhappy with the two-year offer that has been put to him and wants at least four.
The 28-year-old still has a year to run on his existing contract but wants his future sorted sooner rather than later.
Griffiths says loyalty is a two-way street and says it shouldn’t always be a term to hit players with.
Coach Gary van Egmond told au.fourfourtwo.com this week that Griffiths was being considered for the marquee role next season. That would certainly boost the striker’s bank balance but the player is looking beyond immediate riches.
Griffiths is currently enjoying a loan spell with Japanese side Avispa Fukuoka and has already found the net for the club.
He has made no secret of his frustration at being omitted from the last Socceroos squad and may feel his international interests are better served by an overseas switch if the Jets are unwilling or unable to meet his demands.
He told the Newcastle Herald: “I want to make Newcastle my home and don't really want to play for any other A-League club.
“They (Newcastle) harp on about being loyal to the club, but they have to be loyal to the player as well. I think I have been pretty loyal to the club.
“I have come back from Europe and cut my salary. I did not even talk to any other A-League club. The club has to come to the party to an extent. The money was not what I expected."
As well claiming the Johnny Warren medal last year, Griffiths won the Golden Boot and enjoyed a clean sweep of the Jets' club awards.
He said: “I am not going to sell myself short. Without being big-headed or cocky, I know what I am worth on the field and off the field.”
His current coach has expressed the need for players to accept reality at EnergyAustralia Stadium. Van Egmond told this website: “Joel as a marquee is one of the issues we are looking at. There is an opportunity for a marquee with one or two spots still to fill in the attacking third.
“I suppose it’s a question of looking at what we are getting for our dollars when we look at that (marquee) spot or even within the salary cap.
“We are not the biggest club in the competition and you can’t just be asking players to name their price. It doesn’t work that way.
“Players looking for a new or improved deal at this football club have to face the facts. We are not the biggest club in the competition. We strive to be the best and we have had and will continue to strive for success.
“But there are certain facts that you cannot get away from. It’s like saying why doesn’t Fulham compete with Manchester United in the transfer market and spend the money that they do? They don’t because they can’t, they just don’t have it, fact!
“As a club we want to bring in and want to keep our quality players but we are where we are in terms of what we are able and prepared to do.”
Article Source http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/74110,sign-me-for-life-says-joel.aspx
Zadkovich given Trial with Rams
DERBY TELEGRAPH
By Steve Nicholson
Derby County are checking out Australian utility player Ruben Zadkovich.
The Under-23 international, who can play midfield or right-back, is training with the Rams and is keen on another spell in English football.
He spent two seasons in this country as a teenager, first with Queens Park Rangers then with Notts County, before he returned home to join Sydney on the eve of the inaugural A-League season in 2005.
Zadkovich, who turns 22 next month, is a free agent after leaving Sydney.
If interested in adding him to their squad for the Championship, the Rams are likely to face competition from current A-League champions Newcastle Jets and Crystal Palace.
Zadkovich recently had a trial with Palace who are believed to be interested in the player.
As a youngster, Zadkovich figured for QPR's youth and reserve teams but did not make a senior appearance before joining Notts in March 2005.
He played nine times for the Magpies and scored once but left Meadow Lane saying he had been frozen out under Gudjon Thordarson.
Zadkovich started with the same youth club, Wollongong Wolves, as Australian international Mile Sterjovski, who joined the Rams in the January transfer window.
Article Source http://www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=132277&command=displayContent&sourceNode=128334&contentPK=20406681&folderPk=78988&pNodeId=126358
By Steve Nicholson
Derby County are checking out Australian utility player Ruben Zadkovich.
The Under-23 international, who can play midfield or right-back, is training with the Rams and is keen on another spell in English football.
He spent two seasons in this country as a teenager, first with Queens Park Rangers then with Notts County, before he returned home to join Sydney on the eve of the inaugural A-League season in 2005.
Zadkovich, who turns 22 next month, is a free agent after leaving Sydney.
If interested in adding him to their squad for the Championship, the Rams are likely to face competition from current A-League champions Newcastle Jets and Crystal Palace.
Zadkovich recently had a trial with Palace who are believed to be interested in the player.
As a youngster, Zadkovich figured for QPR's youth and reserve teams but did not make a senior appearance before joining Notts in March 2005.
He played nine times for the Magpies and scored once but left Meadow Lane saying he had been frozen out under Gudjon Thordarson.
Zadkovich started with the same youth club, Wollongong Wolves, as Australian international Mile Sterjovski, who joined the Rams in the January transfer window.
Article Source http://www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=132277&command=displayContent&sourceNode=128334&contentPK=20406681&folderPk=78988&pNodeId=126358
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Bonus would not have saved Jets
THE NEWCASTLE HERALD
By Robert Dillon
NEWCASTLE Jets chief executive John Tsatsimas says a proposed salary-cap exemption for an under-23 marquee player would not necessarily have helped the club retain either Mark Bridge or Stuart Musialik.
Bridge and Musialik played their last games for Newcastle in the 1-0 grand final triumph against Central Coast on February 28 and have since signed with Sydney FC.
Jets officials were hamstrung in their efforts to retain the two Olyroos because owner Con Constantine refused to use third-party service agreements, which do not count under the salary cap.
But now Football Federation Australia is reportedly poised to announce a new dispensation that will allow A-League clubs to pay an Olyroos player up to $150,000 a year outside of the cap.
The new concept is set to be introduced for the coming A-League season, but Tsatsmias denied yesterday that the Jets had been disadvantaged by not having the additional funds available during negotiations with Bridge and Musialik.
"We put very favourable offers to both of them in June 2007, and those offers wouldn't have been any higher if this mechanism had been in place," Tsatsimas said. "We were very, very excited about the offers we put to them.
"Obviously things didn't pan out the way we hoped . . . but their offers were already favourable. They wouldn't have been increased. The offers that were made were nearly double what they were on anyway."
It is understood the Jets initially offered both Bridge and Musialik three-year deals worth about $130,000 a season.
But the club baulked at agreeing to include "ceiling clauses" in their contracts, by which Newcastle would have received a set transfer fee instead of a negotiated amount if the pair were released overseas.
Tsatsimas said the Jets would nonetheless welcome some extra room to move outside the salary cap, especially since they already had Olyroos Tarek Elrich, Adam D'Apuzzo and James Holland on their books.
Newcastle also hope to sign another Olyroo in Sydney midfielder Ruben Zadkovich.
"This mechanism now will apply to our other Olyroos," Tsatsimas said. "You might get your best player in that category and be able to pay him outside the cap.
"In turn, that will help free up money for other players and maybe help you sign up another player."
Meanwhile, Tsatsimas said the Jets had not been approached by Japanese club Avispa Fukuoka about the possibility of releasing star striker Joel Griffiths on a full-time basis.
Griffiths is on loan with the J-League division-two club and has scored two goals in four games, sparking rumours that he may receive an offer too good to refuse.
"We've had nothing formal as yet," Tsatsimas said.
"There are stories that they will be looking to table something shortly, so we're just waiting to see if that happens.
"He's our best player and was the A-League player of the year, and he has a year to run on his contract . . . Obviously you always have to take the player's wishes into account, but at this point we haven't even been approached."
Article Source http://theherald.yourguide.com.au/news/sport/soccer/bonus-would-not-have-saved-jets/1224113.html
By Robert Dillon
NEWCASTLE Jets chief executive John Tsatsimas says a proposed salary-cap exemption for an under-23 marquee player would not necessarily have helped the club retain either Mark Bridge or Stuart Musialik.
Bridge and Musialik played their last games for Newcastle in the 1-0 grand final triumph against Central Coast on February 28 and have since signed with Sydney FC.
Jets officials were hamstrung in their efforts to retain the two Olyroos because owner Con Constantine refused to use third-party service agreements, which do not count under the salary cap.
But now Football Federation Australia is reportedly poised to announce a new dispensation that will allow A-League clubs to pay an Olyroos player up to $150,000 a year outside of the cap.
The new concept is set to be introduced for the coming A-League season, but Tsatsmias denied yesterday that the Jets had been disadvantaged by not having the additional funds available during negotiations with Bridge and Musialik.
"We put very favourable offers to both of them in June 2007, and those offers wouldn't have been any higher if this mechanism had been in place," Tsatsimas said. "We were very, very excited about the offers we put to them.
"Obviously things didn't pan out the way we hoped . . . but their offers were already favourable. They wouldn't have been increased. The offers that were made were nearly double what they were on anyway."
It is understood the Jets initially offered both Bridge and Musialik three-year deals worth about $130,000 a season.
But the club baulked at agreeing to include "ceiling clauses" in their contracts, by which Newcastle would have received a set transfer fee instead of a negotiated amount if the pair were released overseas.
Tsatsimas said the Jets would nonetheless welcome some extra room to move outside the salary cap, especially since they already had Olyroos Tarek Elrich, Adam D'Apuzzo and James Holland on their books.
Newcastle also hope to sign another Olyroo in Sydney midfielder Ruben Zadkovich.
"This mechanism now will apply to our other Olyroos," Tsatsimas said. "You might get your best player in that category and be able to pay him outside the cap.
"In turn, that will help free up money for other players and maybe help you sign up another player."
Meanwhile, Tsatsimas said the Jets had not been approached by Japanese club Avispa Fukuoka about the possibility of releasing star striker Joel Griffiths on a full-time basis.
Griffiths is on loan with the J-League division-two club and has scored two goals in four games, sparking rumours that he may receive an offer too good to refuse.
"We've had nothing formal as yet," Tsatsimas said.
"There are stories that they will be looking to table something shortly, so we're just waiting to see if that happens.
"He's our best player and was the A-League player of the year, and he has a year to run on his contract . . . Obviously you always have to take the player's wishes into account, but at this point we haven't even been approached."
Article Source http://theherald.yourguide.com.au/news/sport/soccer/bonus-would-not-have-saved-jets/1224113.html
Monday, April 14, 2008
Blockbuster Friendlies in the Pipeline
NEWCASTLEJETS.COM.AU
The off season is upon us and there is no rest for the wicked. It certainly is a busy time for the Newcastle Jets as we seek to pursue commercial opportunities and settle on our playing list for Version 4.
Of prime importance is to provide a proper and thorough preparation for the team to embark on its defence. To this end we can disclose that the Jets are in negotiations with several overseas clubs to play some matches against the Hyundai A-League Champions.
Director of Football, Remo Nogarotto, is currently in Italy and holding preliminary discussions with Italian powerhouse Juventus F.C. There are some dates available at the end of May to coincide with Juventus’ Pre-Season trip to Asia. There are logistical issues that come to the fore, particularly in view of the European Championships and the availability of the top-tier players such as Del Piero, Trezeguet and Buffon, however it is something that we are keen on pursuing.
Similarly, the Jets are in discussions with Greek Champions Olympiakos, who fared so well in this year’s UEFA Champions League competition. Newcastle Jets CEO, John Tsatsimas, today said, “Olympiakos are a quality side that feature regularly in the Champions League and have a host of quality players in their roster. They would certainly be a hit with the Australian public. However, there are also a couple of Asian clubs who have contacted us and are interested in coming to play us. In view of the fact that we will be participating in the Asian Champions League at the end of the next A-League season, we believe it would be prudent to examine those opportunities thoroughly, which also provides something to our supporters in the void that is the off season.”
The Newcastle Jets resting on their laurels in the off season? Not in your life!
Article source http://www.newcastlejets.com.au/default.aspx?s=njfc_news_item&id=21941
The off season is upon us and there is no rest for the wicked. It certainly is a busy time for the Newcastle Jets as we seek to pursue commercial opportunities and settle on our playing list for Version 4.
Of prime importance is to provide a proper and thorough preparation for the team to embark on its defence. To this end we can disclose that the Jets are in negotiations with several overseas clubs to play some matches against the Hyundai A-League Champions.
Director of Football, Remo Nogarotto, is currently in Italy and holding preliminary discussions with Italian powerhouse Juventus F.C. There are some dates available at the end of May to coincide with Juventus’ Pre-Season trip to Asia. There are logistical issues that come to the fore, particularly in view of the European Championships and the availability of the top-tier players such as Del Piero, Trezeguet and Buffon, however it is something that we are keen on pursuing.
Similarly, the Jets are in discussions with Greek Champions Olympiakos, who fared so well in this year’s UEFA Champions League competition. Newcastle Jets CEO, John Tsatsimas, today said, “Olympiakos are a quality side that feature regularly in the Champions League and have a host of quality players in their roster. They would certainly be a hit with the Australian public. However, there are also a couple of Asian clubs who have contacted us and are interested in coming to play us. In view of the fact that we will be participating in the Asian Champions League at the end of the next A-League season, we believe it would be prudent to examine those opportunities thoroughly, which also provides something to our supporters in the void that is the off season.”
The Newcastle Jets resting on their laurels in the off season? Not in your life!
Article source http://www.newcastlejets.com.au/default.aspx?s=njfc_news_item&id=21941
Hoffman shines as AIS tame Lions
FOUR FOUR TWO
YOUNG AIS midfielder Jason Hoffman scored two goals as his side’s 3-0 rout of reigning champion Preston Lions at B.T. Connor Reserve today.
Expectations were higher prior to the kick-off, after these two sides had played out a thrilling 4-3 result in the same fixture last season.
AIS claimed victory in that encounter courtesy of an injury-time strike to James Holland, now plying his trade as a member of the Championship-winning Newcastle Jets side.
There would be no fairytale finish this time around however, with AIS placing Preston on the back foot early following a strong start to the match, which saw them produce a number of good scoring chances in the opening minutes.
The first of three fine goals came in the 14th minute after midfielder Matt Theodore pounced on an error from Preston defender Nicholas Schwal, whose attempted headed clearance fell right into his path.
It allowed the diminutive youngster a powerful low strike that left Lupce Acevski with little hope in the Lions’ goal.
They doubled their lead 11 minutes later after Jason Naidovski’s neat through ball found Kofi Danning on the edge of the area.
Danning knocked the ball past Stephan Masalkovski before his cross found Jason Hoffman, who was on hand to spear the ball in from close range.
AIS could have added a third in the 42nd minute after Luke De Vere rose to meet Jason Greer’s long free kick, but his effort went narrowly wide.
Preston got off to a lively start in the second half, creating a number of chances early on.
The first fell to John Sapazovski, who climbed above a gathering pack to head the ball just wide of the upright, before Marinos Gasparis sent a well-flighted cross into Igorce Kolevski, who also sent his header wide.
Preston continued to push and created their fair share of chances through Gasparis, Frank Catalano and captain Tony Sterjovski, but they could not put the finishing touches to some fine moves.
They came close again after Kolevski’s 65th minute header was cleared off the line by Sam Munro, but AIS continued to frustrate their hosts with some disciplined defending.
Referee Bruno Danielo waved away the home side’s appeals for a penalty after an apparent handball from Steve Tibbets in the 68th minute, further adding to the Lions’ sense of frustration.
Bale Micovski was brought on to replace Victor Pititto in the 71st minute as Preston coach Goran Lozanovski sought to give his side a more attacking edge.
The move may have backfired however, with AIS countering quickly and allowing Hoffman to beat the offside trap and round Acevski in the penalty area, before prodding the ball into an open goal for his second of the game.
The Lions never fully recovered as AIS cruised to their fifth win in eight starts this season, confirming their status as contenders for this year’s title.
Article Source http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/73872,hoffman-shines-as-ais-tame-lions.aspx
Land Of The Rising Sum
FOUR FOUR TWO
Jon Ritson
EXCLUSIVE: Joel Griffiths will return from his Japanese adventure as the Newcastle Jets’ marquee man next season but not at any price.
Coach Gary van Egmond has confirmed that last season’s Johnny Warren Medal winner is under consideration for the role but it is by no means a done deal.
One thing is certain though, the coach believes he has let a very good player go out on loan to Avispa Fukuoka and expects to get an even better player back.
Van Egmond told au.fourfourtwo.com: “Joel as a marquee is one of the issues we are looking at."
There is an opportunity for a marquee (following the departure of last season’s flop Mario Jardel) with one or two spots still to fill in the attacking third.
“I suppose it’s a question of looking at what we are getting for our dollars when we look at that (marquee) spot or even within the salary cap.
“We are not the biggest club in the competition and you can’t just be asking players to name their price. It doesn’t work that way," he said.
But whether Griffiths proves to be the marquee player or not next season, van Egmond is confident he will have a striker on his hands that will be even hungrier to impress.
Griffiths is finding life in Japan to his liking and goals in his first couple of matches have already endeared him to the Fukuoka fans.
Van Egmond has revealed that he is planning to see for himself how Griffiths is faring and says it is no coincidence that he is plying his trade at this particular club.
It was a blank weekend for Griffiths this time as Avispa suffered a 5-1 thumping by FC Gifu but it doesn’t change the fact he is in a terrific environment to learn, says the Jets coach.
He said: “I’ll be spending three or four days there to catch up with Joel. It’s no coincidence that he joined that particular club and that I’m happy he did so.
“He is working with Ian Crook and I know Crooky is someone I know well having worked with him here at the Jets. I’m looking forward to catching up with him as well.
“I’m sure Joel is happy that he’s got off to a good start over there and hopefully he can continue to do well and then come back ready to continue that good form for us.”
Article source http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/73854,land-of-the-rising-sum.aspx
Jon Ritson
EXCLUSIVE: Joel Griffiths will return from his Japanese adventure as the Newcastle Jets’ marquee man next season but not at any price.
Coach Gary van Egmond has confirmed that last season’s Johnny Warren Medal winner is under consideration for the role but it is by no means a done deal.
One thing is certain though, the coach believes he has let a very good player go out on loan to Avispa Fukuoka and expects to get an even better player back.
Van Egmond told au.fourfourtwo.com: “Joel as a marquee is one of the issues we are looking at."
There is an opportunity for a marquee (following the departure of last season’s flop Mario Jardel) with one or two spots still to fill in the attacking third.
“I suppose it’s a question of looking at what we are getting for our dollars when we look at that (marquee) spot or even within the salary cap.
“We are not the biggest club in the competition and you can’t just be asking players to name their price. It doesn’t work that way," he said.
But whether Griffiths proves to be the marquee player or not next season, van Egmond is confident he will have a striker on his hands that will be even hungrier to impress.
Griffiths is finding life in Japan to his liking and goals in his first couple of matches have already endeared him to the Fukuoka fans.
Van Egmond has revealed that he is planning to see for himself how Griffiths is faring and says it is no coincidence that he is plying his trade at this particular club.
It was a blank weekend for Griffiths this time as Avispa suffered a 5-1 thumping by FC Gifu but it doesn’t change the fact he is in a terrific environment to learn, says the Jets coach.
He said: “I’ll be spending three or four days there to catch up with Joel. It’s no coincidence that he joined that particular club and that I’m happy he did so.
“He is working with Ian Crook and I know Crooky is someone I know well having worked with him here at the Jets. I’m looking forward to catching up with him as well.
“I’m sure Joel is happy that he’s got off to a good start over there and hopefully he can continue to do well and then come back ready to continue that good form for us.”
Article source http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/73854,land-of-the-rising-sum.aspx
Zadkovich gets back on board with Jets
THE NEWCASTLE HERALD
THE on-again, off-again deal between the Newcastle Jets and Olyroos utility Ruben Zadkovich appears to be on again.
Zadkovich was last week reported to be on the verge of joining English Championship club Crystal Palace, despite having agreed to terms with the Jets for next A-League season.
Zadkovich's agent Tom Brooks confirmed that Crystal Palace had tabled an offer for the 21-year-old but it had been rejected.
"Nothing has changed," Brooks told The Herald from England last night.
"Ruben is in the UK on holidays visiting his brother.
"We agreed about three days into his holiday that he would sign with the Jets when he returned.
"He has Olyroos commitments when he gets home and he wanted to train with a couple of clubs while he was over here.
"The Jets were aware of that before he went.
"Crystal Palace were impressed with him and put an offer in for him, but that offer was rejected.
"That is as far as it has gone."
Brooks said Zadkovich would put pen to paper on a one-year deal with the Jets when he returned to Australia in 10 days.
Zadkovich made 17 appearances, 14 in the starting side, for Sydney FC last season.
Comfortable as a fullback or holding midfielder, his signature would help cover the loss of Stuart Musialik to Sydney.
Confirmation on the Zadkovich deal follows the signing last week of Australian Institute of Sport striker Jason Naidovski to a two-year deal.
The Jets are also in negotiations with former Melbourne defender Ljubo Milicevic, who will visit Newcastle next week to meet with coach Gary van Egmond.
Van Egmond heads to Europe on April 23 and hopes to finalise his roster while there.
Based in Italy, van Egmond will also attend training sessions and meet with the coaching staff at AS Roma.
Article Source http://theherald.yourguide.com.au/news/sport/soccer/zadkovich-gets-back-on-board-with-jets/1222821.html
THE on-again, off-again deal between the Newcastle Jets and Olyroos utility Ruben Zadkovich appears to be on again.
Zadkovich was last week reported to be on the verge of joining English Championship club Crystal Palace, despite having agreed to terms with the Jets for next A-League season.
Zadkovich's agent Tom Brooks confirmed that Crystal Palace had tabled an offer for the 21-year-old but it had been rejected.
"Nothing has changed," Brooks told The Herald from England last night.
"Ruben is in the UK on holidays visiting his brother.
"We agreed about three days into his holiday that he would sign with the Jets when he returned.
"He has Olyroos commitments when he gets home and he wanted to train with a couple of clubs while he was over here.
"The Jets were aware of that before he went.
"Crystal Palace were impressed with him and put an offer in for him, but that offer was rejected.
"That is as far as it has gone."
Brooks said Zadkovich would put pen to paper on a one-year deal with the Jets when he returned to Australia in 10 days.
Zadkovich made 17 appearances, 14 in the starting side, for Sydney FC last season.
Comfortable as a fullback or holding midfielder, his signature would help cover the loss of Stuart Musialik to Sydney.
Confirmation on the Zadkovich deal follows the signing last week of Australian Institute of Sport striker Jason Naidovski to a two-year deal.
The Jets are also in negotiations with former Melbourne defender Ljubo Milicevic, who will visit Newcastle next week to meet with coach Gary van Egmond.
Van Egmond heads to Europe on April 23 and hopes to finalise his roster while there.
Based in Italy, van Egmond will also attend training sessions and meet with the coaching staff at AS Roma.
Article Source http://theherald.yourguide.com.au/news/sport/soccer/zadkovich-gets-back-on-board-with-jets/1222821.html
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Con sure Jets going onwards, upwards
THE NEWCASTLE HERALD
By Robert Dillon
JETS owner Con Constantine insisted yesterday that his club's brand had not been tarnished by a string of off-season controversies since Newcastle's grand final triumph.
And Constantine guaranteed that he would assemble a stronger squad for next season than his title-winning outfit.
The Jets' memorable 1-0 win against Central Coast in the A-League decider on February 28 has been followed by a seemingly endless barrage of adverse publicity.
The departures of proven performers Mark Bridge, Andrew Durante, Stuart Musialik and Troy Hearfield dominated headlines for weeks after the grand final.
Then last weekend The Herald revealed that Constantine had not yet honoured a commitment he made to players to provide them with an unspecified grand final bonus.
On Thursday there was further scrutiny when The Herald reported that former coach Jean Paul de Marigny had successfully sued the Jets for more than $165,000, plus costs, over his 2006 sacking.
The combination of dramas are a setback the club could have done without so soon after capturing the imagination of the Novocastrian public with their fairytale title victory.
But Constantine remained confident yesterday that his club's hard-earned success had not been eroded by recent developments.
"It's a challenge, and I'm enjoying it," Constantine said.
"We are very fortunate, because not every club can say they achieved what we did this year. The last three years, we have been getting better and better.
"And now we have qualified for the Asian Champions League, which is a real focus for us. If we do well over in Asia, Newcastle will have even more reason to be proud.
"We've won the A-League, and nobody can take that away from us. All the knockers said we would come last and we proved them wrong."
Constantine assured the club's fans that Newcastle would boast a superior squad next season despite the recent exodus.
"As far as players are concerned, I guarantee guarantee that Newcastle will be in a better position this season to last season and the year before that," he said.
The multimillionaire businessman said he intended to appeal against the NSW District Court verdict in favour of de Marigny "on a point of law".
He confirmed that he had promised his players a bonus "on the spur of the moment" if they won the grand final, but was still considering what it would entail.
"Most of the boys are overseas or on holidays, and I'm waiting to sit down with them when they come back," he said.
"You have to understand, whatever bonus is given to them, that's got to come out of the salary cap.
"I promised the boys a bonus . . . there'll be something there for them.
"I haven't made up my mind [what it is] yet, but I honour anything I say in life."
Article Source http://theherald.yourguide.com.au/news/sport/soccer/con-sure-jets-going-onwards-upwards/1221781.html
By Robert Dillon
JETS owner Con Constantine insisted yesterday that his club's brand had not been tarnished by a string of off-season controversies since Newcastle's grand final triumph.
And Constantine guaranteed that he would assemble a stronger squad for next season than his title-winning outfit.
The Jets' memorable 1-0 win against Central Coast in the A-League decider on February 28 has been followed by a seemingly endless barrage of adverse publicity.
The departures of proven performers Mark Bridge, Andrew Durante, Stuart Musialik and Troy Hearfield dominated headlines for weeks after the grand final.
Then last weekend The Herald revealed that Constantine had not yet honoured a commitment he made to players to provide them with an unspecified grand final bonus.
On Thursday there was further scrutiny when The Herald reported that former coach Jean Paul de Marigny had successfully sued the Jets for more than $165,000, plus costs, over his 2006 sacking.
The combination of dramas are a setback the club could have done without so soon after capturing the imagination of the Novocastrian public with their fairytale title victory.
But Constantine remained confident yesterday that his club's hard-earned success had not been eroded by recent developments.
"It's a challenge, and I'm enjoying it," Constantine said.
"We are very fortunate, because not every club can say they achieved what we did this year. The last three years, we have been getting better and better.
"And now we have qualified for the Asian Champions League, which is a real focus for us. If we do well over in Asia, Newcastle will have even more reason to be proud.
"We've won the A-League, and nobody can take that away from us. All the knockers said we would come last and we proved them wrong."
Constantine assured the club's fans that Newcastle would boast a superior squad next season despite the recent exodus.
"As far as players are concerned, I guarantee guarantee that Newcastle will be in a better position this season to last season and the year before that," he said.
The multimillionaire businessman said he intended to appeal against the NSW District Court verdict in favour of de Marigny "on a point of law".
He confirmed that he had promised his players a bonus "on the spur of the moment" if they won the grand final, but was still considering what it would entail.
"Most of the boys are overseas or on holidays, and I'm waiting to sit down with them when they come back," he said.
"You have to understand, whatever bonus is given to them, that's got to come out of the salary cap.
"I promised the boys a bonus . . . there'll be something there for them.
"I haven't made up my mind [what it is] yet, but I honour anything I say in life."
Article Source http://theherald.yourguide.com.au/news/sport/soccer/con-sure-jets-going-onwards-upwards/1221781.html
Friday, April 11, 2008
Dutchy Wants Scruffy Goals
FOUR FOUR TWO
Jon Ritson
EXCLUSIVE: Gary van Egmond insists the smart acquisition of striker Jason Naidovski could be the key to his team unlocking the scruffy goals they have desperately lacked.
Although they triumphed in the grand final, the Jets fell agonisingly short of the Premier's Plate with just one goal separating them from Central Coast Mariners in the final table.
The Newcastle Jets coach has a memory bank full of spectacular strikes from the Championship-winning season but admits he is struggling to recall too many bread and butter tap-ins.
Van Egmond is anxious to put that right and hopes the addition of Naidovski will be a tremendous asset in that quest.
The Jets coach told au.fourfourtwo.com: “Jason is a big target man with a real eye for goal. He’s tall but also quick and strong.
“He’s two good feet and capable of holding the ball up to bring others into play. He’s the sort of player we didn’t have last time out and it certainly gives us a different option in attack.
“Mark Jones (assistant coach) has worked with him and knows all about him from his time with the Australian Institute of Sport.
“We’re looking forward to working with him and helping him develop further. I think he can add to what we already have and be a handful for the opposition."
Spectacular strikes from Joel Griffiths in particular helped the Jets pick up crucial victories last season and while van Egmond is happy to see the goal of the season contenders flying into the back of the net, he is also keen to see altogether less glamorous strikes.
Although Joel Griffiths ended the season with the A-League’s golden boot he received scant scoring support from his teammates.
Van Egmond said: “I can think of some wonderful goals that we scored last year but off the top of my head I’m really struggling to think of any scruffy tap-ins from inside the six yard box or headers.
"Those are the sort of opportunities I want us to be converting and hopefully Jason can help us do that.”
Article Source http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/73732,dutchy-wants-scruffy-goals.aspx
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Gary Confident Griff Will Stay
FOUR-FOUR-TWO
Jon Ritson
EXCLUSIVE GARY van Egmond is confident that Adam Griffiths will remain a Newcastle Jets player next season after a heart-to-heart with the versatile performer.
The 28-year-old Socceroo has just departed for a holiday in Europe but not before expressing his exasperation at the Jets’ failure to offer him a fresh contract.
However, his coach feels only a spectacular deal from another club will be enough to see Griffiths playing his football away from EnergyAustralia Stadium next season.
Griffiths has a clause in his contract allowing him to look elsewhere if a new deal is not on the table by the end of this month.
Van Egmond has spoken to Griffiths in the last 48 hours and does not believe he has a player on his hands who is desperate to quit the club.
He told au.fourfourtwo.com: “I had a talk with Adam before he left for Europe. I am pretty sure he will be staying with us next season unless something really just falls into his lap.
“We spoke about a few things and one of them was his desire to play in the Asian Champions League. That’s something a lot of others cannot offer a player.”
While the coach is optimistic he can hang on to such an important player he has seen other key figures in Andrew Durante, Stuart Musialik and Mark Bridge move on.
Van Egmond said players had to realise that while they had the right to seek the best deal possible from their existing club, they also had to deal with reality.
He said: “Players looking for a new or improved deal at this football club have to face the facts. We are not the biggest club in the competition. We strive to be the best and we have had and will continue to strive for success.
“But there are certain facts that you cannot get away from. It’s like saying why doesn’t Fulham compete with Manchester United in the transfer market and spend the money that they do. They don’t because they can’t, they just don’t have it, fact!
“As a club we want to bring in and want to keep our quality players but we are where we are in terms of what we are able and prepared to do.”
Skipper Jade North added: “Adam was a big part of what we achieved last season, he was our enforcer if you like.”
Article Source http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/73658,gary-confident-griff-will-stay.aspx
Jon Ritson
EXCLUSIVE GARY van Egmond is confident that Adam Griffiths will remain a Newcastle Jets player next season after a heart-to-heart with the versatile performer.
The 28-year-old Socceroo has just departed for a holiday in Europe but not before expressing his exasperation at the Jets’ failure to offer him a fresh contract.
However, his coach feels only a spectacular deal from another club will be enough to see Griffiths playing his football away from EnergyAustralia Stadium next season.
Griffiths has a clause in his contract allowing him to look elsewhere if a new deal is not on the table by the end of this month.
Van Egmond has spoken to Griffiths in the last 48 hours and does not believe he has a player on his hands who is desperate to quit the club.
He told au.fourfourtwo.com: “I had a talk with Adam before he left for Europe. I am pretty sure he will be staying with us next season unless something really just falls into his lap.
“We spoke about a few things and one of them was his desire to play in the Asian Champions League. That’s something a lot of others cannot offer a player.”
While the coach is optimistic he can hang on to such an important player he has seen other key figures in Andrew Durante, Stuart Musialik and Mark Bridge move on.
Van Egmond said players had to realise that while they had the right to seek the best deal possible from their existing club, they also had to deal with reality.
He said: “Players looking for a new or improved deal at this football club have to face the facts. We are not the biggest club in the competition. We strive to be the best and we have had and will continue to strive for success.
“But there are certain facts that you cannot get away from. It’s like saying why doesn’t Fulham compete with Manchester United in the transfer market and spend the money that they do. They don’t because they can’t, they just don’t have it, fact!
“As a club we want to bring in and want to keep our quality players but we are where we are in terms of what we are able and prepared to do.”
Skipper Jade North added: “Adam was a big part of what we achieved last season, he was our enforcer if you like.”
Article Source http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/73658,gary-confident-griff-will-stay.aspx
Monday, April 7, 2008
Jets set recruit pace: Nogarotto
THE NEWCASTLE HERALD
By James Gardiner
NEWCASTLE director of football Remo Nogarotto has hit back at critics and is adamant the Jets are better placed on the recruitment front than their A-League rivals.
The departure of grand final heroes Stuart Musialik, Mark Bridge and Andrew Durante, and speculation over the future of Adam Griffiths has sent shockwaves through the Jets fan base.
But rather than panic, Rome-based Nogarotto said he had already identified four players in key areas, headed by left-sided stopper Adrian Madaschi, and hoped to finalise deals once coach Gary van Egmond arrived in Italy later this month.
"We have narrowed the prospects down to four players," Nogarotto told The Herald from Rome.
"I am going to watch Madaschi play later today and will get a better idea on him.
"Also on the list is an attacking midfielder from Nigeria who is playing in the Swiss first division, a right-sided attacker playing in Holland, and a striker with a couple of international caps playing in the Serie B.
"I hope this helps debunk the popular myth back home that the Jets football people are sitting on their rears.
"In fact, name me one other A-League club that has, at this point in the recruiting phase, been able to identify four hot prospects in key positions, across three countries in Europe, without relying on oily salesmen peddling DVDs from club to club."
The Jets have also been in negotiations with Sydney utility Ruben Zadkovich and AIS striker Jason Naidovski
"Obviously, once Gary gets here we will make a final decision on how many players we are after," Nogarotto told The Herald from Italy.
"Then the hard bit starts with trying to work out how to fund them inside the constraints of the salary cap."
Van Egmond is due in Italy on April 21.
His first week will be consumed by attending a series of meetings and training sessions with Italian giants AS Roma, who are in second place on the Serie A ladder.
The focus will then switch to recruitment.
By James Gardiner
NEWCASTLE director of football Remo Nogarotto has hit back at critics and is adamant the Jets are better placed on the recruitment front than their A-League rivals.
The departure of grand final heroes Stuart Musialik, Mark Bridge and Andrew Durante, and speculation over the future of Adam Griffiths has sent shockwaves through the Jets fan base.
But rather than panic, Rome-based Nogarotto said he had already identified four players in key areas, headed by left-sided stopper Adrian Madaschi, and hoped to finalise deals once coach Gary van Egmond arrived in Italy later this month.
"We have narrowed the prospects down to four players," Nogarotto told The Herald from Rome.
"I am going to watch Madaschi play later today and will get a better idea on him.
"Also on the list is an attacking midfielder from Nigeria who is playing in the Swiss first division, a right-sided attacker playing in Holland, and a striker with a couple of international caps playing in the Serie B.
"I hope this helps debunk the popular myth back home that the Jets football people are sitting on their rears.
"In fact, name me one other A-League club that has, at this point in the recruiting phase, been able to identify four hot prospects in key positions, across three countries in Europe, without relying on oily salesmen peddling DVDs from club to club."
The Jets have also been in negotiations with Sydney utility Ruben Zadkovich and AIS striker Jason Naidovski
"Obviously, once Gary gets here we will make a final decision on how many players we are after," Nogarotto told The Herald from Italy.
"Then the hard bit starts with trying to work out how to fund them inside the constraints of the salary cap."
Van Egmond is due in Italy on April 21.
His first week will be consumed by attending a series of meetings and training sessions with Italian giants AS Roma, who are in second place on the Serie A ladder.
The focus will then switch to recruitment.
Friday, April 4, 2008
Now Adam's Off As Jets Rebuild
FOUR FOUR TWO
Aidan Ormond
JETS star Adam Griffiths is the latest Newcastle star set to quit the club as he flies off to Europe in search of a new deal.
Griffiths has a get-out clause in his contract that allows him to leave the Jets if he can find a new club by the end of April.
And with the Jets failing to offer him a contract extension, he is now set to go looking for a new home.
"I have been waiting to hear from the Jets about an extension to my contract but have not heard a thing," Adam told the Newcastle Herald.
"I think it is an ideal time to be doing that. I want to secure my future with the club. They know my situation, but I have not heard a thing.
"I'm not going to go into the club and say, 'I want a new contract.' I think my performances on the pitch should be rewarded.
"I have been as loyal as I can. I have not talked to other Australian clubs, and I kept it quiet that I have a get-out clause.
"I fly to England next week. If they want to talk to me they can. If they don't, who knows what will happen."
Griffiths is the latest to join the exodus out of the A-League Champions side.
Andrew Durante and Troy Hearfield have both joined Wellington Phoenix and Stuart Musialik and Mark Bridge signed for Sydney.
Adam's brother Joel is currently on loan with Avispa Fukuoaka in Japan and may not return, while skipper Jade North also wants to quit.
The grand final winners may have lost the spine of their side, but the arrival of Ruben Zadkovich and a spike in fans' interest is cause for some optimism in Newcastle.
“Ruben is a good bet, we’re just finalising things now but he’s signed an in-principle agreement,” Jets CEO John Tsatsimas told au.fourfourtwo.com today.
However, what is really exciting the club is the enormous support the Jets are expecting for its title defence in season four.
“There has been a massive expression of interest in season memberships,” said Tsatsimas. “It’s looking good. We’re not resting on our laurels though.
“A figure of around 15,000 would be something to aspire to [for memberships] but we don’t want to put a figure on it just yet."
The Jets’ support has exploded over the last year or so. In season one of the A-League, the club averaged 8,912 for its home and away season.
By season two, that average rose to 11,442 and last season, the Jets drew an average of 13,209 to their home games.
Added to that attendances over the 20,000 mark for last season’s finals matches and the club is confident that they can take their crowds to a new level in season four.
“We’ve seen the second draft of the season four draw and we’re very excited,” added Tsatsimas.
Article source http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/73239,jets-zadko-deal-nearly-done.aspx
Aidan Ormond
JETS star Adam Griffiths is the latest Newcastle star set to quit the club as he flies off to Europe in search of a new deal.
Griffiths has a get-out clause in his contract that allows him to leave the Jets if he can find a new club by the end of April.
And with the Jets failing to offer him a contract extension, he is now set to go looking for a new home.
"I have been waiting to hear from the Jets about an extension to my contract but have not heard a thing," Adam told the Newcastle Herald.
"I think it is an ideal time to be doing that. I want to secure my future with the club. They know my situation, but I have not heard a thing.
"I'm not going to go into the club and say, 'I want a new contract.' I think my performances on the pitch should be rewarded.
"I have been as loyal as I can. I have not talked to other Australian clubs, and I kept it quiet that I have a get-out clause.
"I fly to England next week. If they want to talk to me they can. If they don't, who knows what will happen."
Griffiths is the latest to join the exodus out of the A-League Champions side.
Andrew Durante and Troy Hearfield have both joined Wellington Phoenix and Stuart Musialik and Mark Bridge signed for Sydney.
Adam's brother Joel is currently on loan with Avispa Fukuoaka in Japan and may not return, while skipper Jade North also wants to quit.
The grand final winners may have lost the spine of their side, but the arrival of Ruben Zadkovich and a spike in fans' interest is cause for some optimism in Newcastle.
“Ruben is a good bet, we’re just finalising things now but he’s signed an in-principle agreement,” Jets CEO John Tsatsimas told au.fourfourtwo.com today.
However, what is really exciting the club is the enormous support the Jets are expecting for its title defence in season four.
“There has been a massive expression of interest in season memberships,” said Tsatsimas. “It’s looking good. We’re not resting on our laurels though.
“A figure of around 15,000 would be something to aspire to [for memberships] but we don’t want to put a figure on it just yet."
The Jets’ support has exploded over the last year or so. In season one of the A-League, the club averaged 8,912 for its home and away season.
By season two, that average rose to 11,442 and last season, the Jets drew an average of 13,209 to their home games.
Added to that attendances over the 20,000 mark for last season’s finals matches and the club is confident that they can take their crowds to a new level in season four.
“We’ve seen the second draft of the season four draw and we’re very excited,” added Tsatsimas.
Article source http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/73239,jets-zadko-deal-nearly-done.aspx
Jets upping the ante Move to extend Covic deal as future planning kicks into gear
THE NEWCASTLE HERALD
By James Gardiner
THE Newcastle Jets have offered goalkeeper Ante Covic a two-year contract extension in what director of football Remo Nogarotto described as the first step towards ensuring the club remained competitive long term.
Nogarotto has also held preliminary discussion with Jets and A-League player of the year Joel Griffiths with a view to keeping him at the club until the end of the 2011-12 season.
On the negative side, Joel's twin Adam Griffiths has lost patience with the Jets and will explore his options when he heads to Europe next week.
Adam Griffiths signed with the Jets for two years but has a get-out clause that must be exercised before the end of April.
"I have been waiting to hear from the Jets about an extension to my contract but have not heard a thing," Adam said. "I think it is an ideal time to be doing that. I want to secure my future with the club. They know my situation, but I have not heard a thing.
"I'm not going to go into the club and say, 'I want a new contract.' I think my performances on the pitch should be rewarded.
"I have been as loyal as I can. I have not talked to other Australian clubs, and I kept it quiet that I have a get-out clause.
"I fly to England next week. If they want to talk to me they can. If they don't, who knows what will happen."
He returned to Newcastle last season after three years in Europe, which included stints at Oostende (Belgium), Brentford, Watford and Bournemouth (all England).
Since returning, he has forced his way into the Socceroos and has already attracted interest from China, where his younger brother Ryan has a lucrative deal at Liaoning.
Nogarotto said Adam Griffiths was the "next cab off the rank" in terms of contract extensions.
"Ante Covic's manager, Bernie Mandic, is in receipt of an offer to extend his existing contract by two years," Nogarotto told The Herald from Italy, where he works for Macquarie Bank.
"With respect to Joel [Griffiths], a conversation has already transpired this week between [Jets owner] Con [Constantine] and his agent.
"I am now trying to finetune a potential three-year extension.
"Next cab off the rank will be Adam, and we also intend to put something on the table for Jade [who also has a year to run]."
Retaining all four may not be easy for the Jets.
Joel Griffiths, who opened his goalscoring account for Japanese club Avispa Fukuoka where he is on loan on Saturday, and North have talked recently about moving overseas to increases their chances of Socceroos selection.
It has been six weeks since the Jets overpowered Central Coast 1-0 to win the A-League title.
In that time, Stuart Musialik, Mark Bridge (both Sydney), Andrew Durante and Troy Hearfield (both Wellington) have departed.
Nogarotto, who returned to Rome on Sunday after attending the Jets presentation night last Friday, said negotiations were continuing with a number of players, headed by Australian youth defended Adrian Madaschi, Sydney utility Ruben Zadkovich and Australian Institute of Sport striker Jason Naidovski.
Jets coach Gary van Egmond will visit Nogarotto in Italy this month and they will assess potential recruits, including Madaschi.
"I am going to watch Madaschi this weekend and then there is a key game he is playing on April 20 which I'd like Gary to see," Nogarotto said.
"It is a big game against good opposition, and we will get a reasonable idea what his form is like.
"We will also travel to Switzerland to watch a Nigerian boy play in the first division. There is also a striker here in Italy, who could be a potential marquee player and two young players who are in Serie C.
Article Source http://theherald.yourguide.com.au/news/sport/soccer/jets-upping-the-ante-move-to-extend-covic-deal-as-future-planning-kicks-into-gear/1216154.html
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Jets scouring Italy for new recruits
SYDNEY MORNING HERALD
Michael Cockerill
ANXIOUS Newcastle Jets fans have been implored not to panic by director of football Remo Nogarotto, who is putting the finishing touches to a recruiting campaign he believes will keep the champions competitive at home and abroad.
This week's departure of promising young midfielder Troy Hearfield to Wellington Phoenix continued a post-season exodus in which Mark Bridge, Stuart Musialik (Sydney FC) and Andrew Durante (also Wellington) have left the club. There is also doubt surrounding Adam Griffiths, who has a clause allowing him to return to Europe if he receives an offer by the end of this month. Skipper Jade North and top scorer Joel Griffiths have also talked recently about their desire to join overseas clubs but both are likely to be held to the remaining year of their contracts.
It adds up to an unsettled atmosphere, but Nogarotto has assured supporters the Jets will make a good fist of defending their A-League crown and be competitive when they debut in the new-look Asian Champions League next year. Speaking from Rome, where he will be joined at the end of next week on a scouting mission by coach Gary van Egmond, Nogarotto said: "Obviously, it's disappointing a few players have chosen to leave, but I respect their right to seek more lucrative pastures.
"The important thing is we move, and we move quickly, to replace them, and that's what we're doing. If you think about this time last year, we were in the same boat when we lost some key players, and the difference is we're a lot further down the planning process. Last year we left it late, this year we're confident we'll have the entire squad together when we start pre-season in June. There'll be no more relying on DVDs, we've learnt our lessons and we're doing our homework properly.
"As Mark Twain said, the announcement of our death is grossly exaggerated. People wrote us off last season, and they'll be writing us off now. I would just say to our fans, don't panic."
Newcastle are poised to sign former Sydney FC utility Ruben Zadkovich and a holding midfielder from another A-League club described by Nogarotto as "very promising", while former Socceroos defender Adrian Madaschi, who has been playing in the Italian lower leagues for almost a decade, is also on the radar. The Jets haven't been frightened off by their failures in the overseas transfer market last year, and two high-grade imports - both attacking players - are in their sights. One foreigner will replace Mario Jardel as the Jets marquee signing.
"We've looking at a couple of options, one here [Italy] is particularly interesting. He might not have the CV of some other players but he's got the runs on the board and I've got no doubt he'll add a lot to our squad," Nogarotto said.
Nogarotto and van Egmond will spend the rest of this month scouting in Italy and Switzerland, while the Jets coach will also spend three days with the coaching staff of AS Roma after they return from next week's trip to England to play Manchester United in the return leg of their Champions League quarter-final.
■ NSW Premier Morris Iemma is due to announce tomorrow that Ghana will play a friendly against Australia at ANZ Stadium, Homebush Bay, on May 23, while it's understood Brisbane will host the Socceroos next World Cup qualifier, against Iraq on June 1.
Article Source http://www.smh.com.au/news/a-league/jets-scouring-italy-for-new-recruits/2008/04/02/1206851013696.html
Michael Cockerill
ANXIOUS Newcastle Jets fans have been implored not to panic by director of football Remo Nogarotto, who is putting the finishing touches to a recruiting campaign he believes will keep the champions competitive at home and abroad.
This week's departure of promising young midfielder Troy Hearfield to Wellington Phoenix continued a post-season exodus in which Mark Bridge, Stuart Musialik (Sydney FC) and Andrew Durante (also Wellington) have left the club. There is also doubt surrounding Adam Griffiths, who has a clause allowing him to return to Europe if he receives an offer by the end of this month. Skipper Jade North and top scorer Joel Griffiths have also talked recently about their desire to join overseas clubs but both are likely to be held to the remaining year of their contracts.
It adds up to an unsettled atmosphere, but Nogarotto has assured supporters the Jets will make a good fist of defending their A-League crown and be competitive when they debut in the new-look Asian Champions League next year. Speaking from Rome, where he will be joined at the end of next week on a scouting mission by coach Gary van Egmond, Nogarotto said: "Obviously, it's disappointing a few players have chosen to leave, but I respect their right to seek more lucrative pastures.
"The important thing is we move, and we move quickly, to replace them, and that's what we're doing. If you think about this time last year, we were in the same boat when we lost some key players, and the difference is we're a lot further down the planning process. Last year we left it late, this year we're confident we'll have the entire squad together when we start pre-season in June. There'll be no more relying on DVDs, we've learnt our lessons and we're doing our homework properly.
"As Mark Twain said, the announcement of our death is grossly exaggerated. People wrote us off last season, and they'll be writing us off now. I would just say to our fans, don't panic."
Newcastle are poised to sign former Sydney FC utility Ruben Zadkovich and a holding midfielder from another A-League club described by Nogarotto as "very promising", while former Socceroos defender Adrian Madaschi, who has been playing in the Italian lower leagues for almost a decade, is also on the radar. The Jets haven't been frightened off by their failures in the overseas transfer market last year, and two high-grade imports - both attacking players - are in their sights. One foreigner will replace Mario Jardel as the Jets marquee signing.
"We've looking at a couple of options, one here [Italy] is particularly interesting. He might not have the CV of some other players but he's got the runs on the board and I've got no doubt he'll add a lot to our squad," Nogarotto said.
Nogarotto and van Egmond will spend the rest of this month scouting in Italy and Switzerland, while the Jets coach will also spend three days with the coaching staff of AS Roma after they return from next week's trip to England to play Manchester United in the return leg of their Champions League quarter-final.
■ NSW Premier Morris Iemma is due to announce tomorrow that Ghana will play a friendly against Australia at ANZ Stadium, Homebush Bay, on May 23, while it's understood Brisbane will host the Socceroos next World Cup qualifier, against Iraq on June 1.
Article Source http://www.smh.com.au/news/a-league/jets-scouring-italy-for-new-recruits/2008/04/02/1206851013696.html
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Newcastle Dump Media Gurus
FOUR FOUR TWO
Aidan Ormond
THEY'VE lost the spine of their grand final winning side, now Newcastle Jets have parted ways with their successful media arm.
Eclipse Media and Events have been dumped by the Jets after the two parties were unable to reach an agreement on a new contract.
“We delivered over and above our KPI’s [Key Performance Indicators] for the Jets. The second year saw us take the profile of the club even higher throughout Newcastle , the upper Hunter and Mid North Coast,” Eclipse Managing Director Tracy Kearney said in a statement today.
“A tireless program of player appearances …were cornerstones of our success.”
Prior to the two year association, Newcastle’s media management and community work was generally considered to be sub-standard, hence the surprise in some circles about today’s announcement.
And no doubt it will once again call into question owner Con Constantine’s judgement.
“We knew if the Hunter came to know the team, they would fall in love - and we feel we have facilitated that relationship,” added Kearney.
"We have raised the players’ profiles to the point that they are all household names in the area and the Jets are now recognised as the Hunter’s team.”
While no further comments were made, it’s understood that the club’s offer was way below market price for the services required.
This is not the first A-League club to part ways with its media representatives since the A-League season ended.
Melbourne Victory fired their communications manager Tony Ising and recently Queensland Roar surprisingly parted ways with their popular media man Neil Favager after three seasons at the club.
Article Source http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/73064,newcastle-dump-media-gurus.aspx
Aidan Ormond
THEY'VE lost the spine of their grand final winning side, now Newcastle Jets have parted ways with their successful media arm.
Eclipse Media and Events have been dumped by the Jets after the two parties were unable to reach an agreement on a new contract.
“We delivered over and above our KPI’s [Key Performance Indicators] for the Jets. The second year saw us take the profile of the club even higher throughout Newcastle , the upper Hunter and Mid North Coast,” Eclipse Managing Director Tracy Kearney said in a statement today.
“A tireless program of player appearances …were cornerstones of our success.”
Prior to the two year association, Newcastle’s media management and community work was generally considered to be sub-standard, hence the surprise in some circles about today’s announcement.
And no doubt it will once again call into question owner Con Constantine’s judgement.
“We knew if the Hunter came to know the team, they would fall in love - and we feel we have facilitated that relationship,” added Kearney.
"We have raised the players’ profiles to the point that they are all household names in the area and the Jets are now recognised as the Hunter’s team.”
While no further comments were made, it’s understood that the club’s offer was way below market price for the services required.
This is not the first A-League club to part ways with its media representatives since the A-League season ended.
Melbourne Victory fired their communications manager Tony Ising and recently Queensland Roar surprisingly parted ways with their popular media man Neil Favager after three seasons at the club.
Article Source http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/73064,newcastle-dump-media-gurus.aspx
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