With the A-League Men’s 2021/22 season coming to its halfway point, it’s time to assess how Newcastle Jets are shaping up.
Semester summary: Following a disappointing 11th place finish at the end of last season’s campaign, Newcastle had a lot to prove coming into this season.
It’s been a mixed bag for the men in gold so far with three wins, two draws and five losses from ten games. Newcastle have also been one of the hardest hit teams in terms of games postponed with four catch up games still to be played.
Halfway through their campaign, Newcastle are sitting in 11th place, somewhere no one may have expected them to be given their above average start to the season. It’s going to take a lot of hard work for the Jets to make their way into finals contention.
Areas of excellence: Goal scoring
With 17 goals for, the Jets are the fourth highest goal scoring club despite their 11th place on the ladder. They also have the second highest goals per game ratio at 1.7.
With Beka Mikeltadze on their side, it’s no surprise the Jets are sitting near the top of the list of most goals scored, with seven goals from nine games played so far this season. Mikeltadze is also the second highest goal scorer in the league this season, sitting just behind Melbourne City’s Jamie Maclaren.
With Daniel Penha on their side too, Newcastle are never short of goal scoring opportunities. Penha has been involved in six assists with a goal of his own so far this season.
Areas in need of improvement: Consistency
With three wins, two draws and five losses under their belt, the Jets are yet to find any consistency in their game.
In their last five games played, Newcastle have seen two wins and three losses. They’ve also won a game 4-0 and lost a game 3-0.
This is a prime example of the missing consistency in their game.
With 14 new players and a new coaching staff, including head coach Arthur Papas, joining the club this year, it’s doesn’t really come as a surprise that the Jets are missing some consistency.
If the men in gold want to make finals this year however, they will need to work on getting their game play in order and get some more wins under their belt.
Top student: Beka Mikeltadze
After signing with the club for the 2021/22 and 2022/23 seasons, Mikeltadze has proved to be a key signing for the Jets.
Mikeltadze is a key attacking player for his club and their top goal scorer so far this season. Mikeltadze has equalled Joel Griffiths’ 14-year record for most consecutive goal scoring appearances.
Putting in the work week in, week out, Mikeltadze is a key part of Newcastle’s squad and continues to impress every game he plays.
Needs improvement: Jack Duncan
Whilst the onus isn’t entirely on the team’s goalkeeper to keep the opposition from scoring, they do play a key role.
Newcastle have concede more goals than any other team with 19. Despite some spectacular saves, Duncan’s inability to save more goals has greatly cost the Jets.
As his team are currently sitting in 11th place, Duncan will play a key role in helping the Jets move their way up the ladder by keeping the opposition’s balls out of his net.
Grade: C-
Outlook: It’s been an average season for the Jets so far but with half the regular season and four postponed games still to be played there’s plenty of time for redemption.
It will take courage, consistency, and belief in themselves to overcome any obstacles thrown their way. Newcastle have plenty of young and experienced talent within their ranks and with Arthur Papas at the helm, there’s plenty of time to put themselves into finals contention.
Statistics sourced from Ultimate A-League. Feature Image Credit: Sproule Sports Focus
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