Newcastle Jets have confirmed nine players have departed the club at the conclusion of the 2023-24 Isuzu UTE A-League season, including highly rated young duo Lucas Mauragis and Archie Goodwin.
Mauragis and Goodwin have left the club alongside captain Brandon O’Neill, Trent Buhagiar, Reno Piscopo, Jason Berthomier, Daniel Stynes, Michael Weier and Carl Jenkinson.
Mauragis, 22, has been strongly linked to Newcastle’s F3 Derby rivals Central Coast Mariners – although his next destination is yet to be confirmed.
Goodwin, meanwhile, calls time on his four seasons with the Jets’ senior side having graduated from the club’s academy. He became the club’s youngest-ever player in 2021 when he debuted at age 16 years and 106 days; he’s made 44 appearances across four seasons since, as the club took a cautious approach to his development due to a series of injuries.
Jets CEO Shane Mattiske spoke at length about Goodwin’s departure as the nine-player exodus was confirmed on Wednesday afternoon.
“Each of these players has made an important contribution to the history of this club and I want to sincerely express my thanks to each player for their commitment to the team, the club and the Community during their time with us,” Mattiske said.
“These players will always be part of the Newcastle Jets family and we wish them success in their future endeavours”.
“Archie has today advised Rob Stanton and I that he is not going to accept our offer to keep him at the Jets. Archie has communicated that he wants to push himself outside of his comfort zone and wants to challenge himself in a different environment.
“As a club we’re disappointed to lose Archie. We had made it clear to him that he was a key part of our plans for the future and, of course, we know our fans would want to see him continue to play in the gold of Newcastle.”
“This past season has been a strong one for Archie, with him building his strength and fitness to make a strong contribution to the season,” Mattiske continued.
“He made 20 appearances this season after playing eight games in each of the two prior seasons.
“As a club we’re proud of the player Archie has become. We’ve supported his growth and development since he joined the academy at age nine and have been excited by his growth as a professional player in the A-League.
“Whilst we are disappointed to see him move to another club, we respect his right to make a decision to challenge himself away from this club. Archie is Newcastle through and through and we hope to see him back at the club at some time in the future.”
Mauragis, another Jets academy graduate, departs the club after 50 appearances in all competitions, while former captain O’Neill calls time on his two-year Jets stint with 42 club appearances to his name.
The Jets recruited Reno Piscopo from Wellington Phoenix in 2022 and although showing flashes of brilliance, injuries prevented the creative midfielder from having a major impact at the club.
Trent Buhagiar scored 12 goals in 51 appearances for the Jets but departs with fellow young forward Daniel Stynes, who joined the club from Perth Glory in 2022.
Michael Weier’s time at the Jets has also come to an end after three years; Weier played 18 games for the club having joined from NPL Victoria side Hume City.
Former Arsenal defender Carl Jenkinson was co-captain at the Jets in 2022 and the England international featured 34 times for the club in all competitions. Jenkinson bids farewell to the Jets alongside fellow international recruit Jason Berthomeir who spent one season at the club.
