Newcastle captain Nigel Boogaard says the Jets are determined to upset the high flying Perth Glory in their final home clash of the season on Saturday.
The Jets will be seeking to defeat Kenny Lowe’s side for the first time this campaign and dent a finals push which has seen Glory win eight of their last nine matches.
Newcastle has experienced a number of highlights at Hunter Stadium this season, but Boogaard has urged his side to create more lasting memories in the round 25 encounter.
“Training today was sharp and intense and the focus is there for the weekend,” Boogaard told local media on Wednesday.
“We want to finish the season off well and importantly we’re at home and want to give the home fans something to be proud of.
“With the ‘gaffer’ [Scott Miller] and ‘JP’ [Jean-Paul de Marigny] they are always going to be there to drive us and there is that motivation within the group anyway to make sure that we push right until the very end.
“That’s what it means to wear this badge. As soon as you take that field, regardless of whether there’s something to play for or not, you give everything you’ve got.
“That’s what this place is going to be about.
“Right until that last whistle of that last game we will be giving everything we can [because] it’s important for us to recognise that as soon as you put this shirt on you have got to give everything you’ve got,” he said.
We’d love you to join us for our FINAL home match of Hyundai A-League season 11 this Saturday at Hunter Stadium. Click the link for all the details for our Easter Saturday showdown with Perth Glory!
Posted by Newcastle Jets on Monday, March 21, 2016
Saturday is Old Boys’ Day at Hunter Stadium, and the day hits close to home for Boogaard given his father Michael also represented the region on the national stage.
The Jets’ captain believes that unlike many A-League clubs Newcastle possess a unique history to be celebrated and recognised.
“It’s [Old Boys’ Day] a great initiative and hopefully it can happen a lot more around the club,” Boogaard said.
“It’s quite relevant. Our club is unique, so it’s important to know its history, where we’ve come from, the challenges, and where we are now.”
“It’s a great initiative and hopefully there is more interaction between the Old Boys and the club going forward,” he concluded.
Newcastle Jets vs. Perth Glory – Hyundai A-League 2015/16 round 25
When: Saturday 26 March 2016
Where: Hunter Stadium, Newcastle
Kick-off: 5:15pm
Tickets: Please click here to purchase match tickets
Twitter: #NEWvPER
Broadcast: Fox Sports 505
Radio: 1233 ABC Newcastle or ABC Grandstand
