On the eve of their drought-breaking clash with Melbourne City, we look back at the Jets’ record in home finals.
Hyundai A-League finals football returns to Newcastle tonight for the first time in over ten years!
2005/06 v Central Coast Mariners (Lost 0-1)
The Jets were part of the first ever Hyundai A-League finals match, hosting neighbours Central Coast in an F3 derby.
In a tight tussle, the Mariners came out on top courtesy of a 75th-minute goal from Matthew Osman.
In the return game a week later, the Jets were unable to overturn the deficit, drawing 1-1 and dipping out of the inaugural finals series.
2006/07 v Sydney FC (Won 2-0)
Newcastle returned to the Hyundai A-League finals series the following season, meeting the Sky Blues home and away.
After a 2-1 defeat in the first game in Sydney, the Jets won a famous victory in front of their biggest ever home crowd of 24,338 a week later.
The scores were locked at 0-0 approaching the hour-mark before Joel Griffiths squared the tie and put his side ahead 1-0 on the night.
Hunter valley cult hero Vaughan Coveny ensured Newcastle’s passage, scoring a decisive second goal with 20 minutes remaining.
2007/08 v Mariners (Won 2-0)
A first ever top-two finish saw the Jets qualify for home and away finals games against the Mariners.
Nearly 23-thousand fans were on hand to watch them win the home tie 2-0, with Joel Griffiths again a prominent figure, converting an 85th minute penalty.
His twin brother Adam Griffiths had opened the scoring midway through the first-half.
Unfortunately, the Jets couldn’t protect their lead in the return leg, going down 3-0 and needing to beat Queensland Roar to reach their first ever Grand Final.
2007/08 v Roar (Won 3-2)
After the disappointment of the previous week, the Jets had to lift themselves for a knockout clash against the Roar in week three of the finals series.
With time almost up, Matt Thompson’s 40th-minute goal looked to have secured their passage, before the visitors were awarded a late penalty which Brazilian striker Reinaldo converted to send the game into extra-time.
But a Joel Griffiths penalty and a first ever Hyundai A-League goal from Tarek Elrich were enough to send the Jets through to the Grand Final, despite another late penalty from Reinaldo.
The following weekend, Newcastle gained their revenge on the Mariners, winning 1-0 to lift the Championship trophy for the first, and so far only, time.
