Why can’t Newcastle Jets win the A-League treble?
With Mark Milligan’s side lighting up the competition at the moment with an effervescent style of football that has the Hunter’s football fever burning again, Paramount pundit and A-League championship winner Daniel McBreen says Newcastle fans can “dare to dream of doing it all” this season, which would be unprecedented.
Two points ahead of Sydney and Auckland, the Jets head to Adelaide, where Milligan was an assistant coach prior to this role, this weekend.
Speaking to football360.com.au, McBreen was buzzing about the Jets and the atmosphere they have brought to the area, in which he lives.
“They’re already talk of the town,” he beamed.
“Biggest crowd since the grand final – I was getting mates going, my age, haven’t been for a while. They were going with kids, friends, having a beer.
“The danger when so many fans turn up is that they witness something flat.
“No, they turned it on again, played the exact same brand.
“I got so many texts saying ‘how good is that, Jets are so good to watch’… This is a brand where people are saying it’s fun, the kids are seeing young Novocastrian kids getting game time thinking ‘that could be me one day’.
Newcastle Jets with their fans in Melbourne. Photo: Football Australia/Aleksandar Jason
“There is an excitement around town – these guys are the real deal.”
So, if you haven’t cottoned on yet, here’s why you should.
SOCCEROOS LEGEND TURNS INTO MASTER MENTOR
Milligan, 40, has taken to the clipboard like a natural.
“Young coach, first opportunity – and he has a certain style. High tempo, high octane,” he explained.
“If the ball goes out, they get it in straight away.
“When they’re winning they don’t go slow it down, they go get it back in
“That style, upbeat tempo, ‘we’re going to be faster, stronger, better’ regardless.
“Their game management is: we’re better for 95 minutes.
“It’s non stop.”
The Australia Cup was their first silverware since 2008, in Milligan’s first role after leaving Adelaide, where he was Carl Veart’s assistant.
“He has got this team believing in themselves, it is unwavering.
“He was coached by Ange Postecoglou, and talks about him as an influence, amongst other coaches – he is unwavering in the way he wants to play.
“Believe in it and you will get success. To have these kids believe in what they’re doing, whatever it is, bottle it up! Let’s get more coaches like him out there!”
There’s also a balance the former Socceroos captain has struck; a legend of the game who has done all you can in Australian football, a boss, but also a leader, whose presence now when talking in press conferences, or to the media, demands attention.
“I think Millsy always had a presence – that many times playing for his country,” McBreen said.
“But it’s understated, he never talks himself up, always asks for more – not in a negative way – saying ‘we can always look to improve, be better’. He’s approachable, so he demands the most from his players but he can also be approachable, they feel at ease. They think ‘I can be myself and express myself’.”
Milligan has also invited his players to take responsibility. “(His approach is) I’m going to put these things in place, they have to run it. It gives them ownership, more investment.”
HE TRUSTS THE KIDS
McBreen praised Milligan for being the first coach to give the region’s kids a chance.
“Don’t get me wrong, I have no doubt, if Mark Milligan had a bigger budget he would’ve brought more players in,” he added.
Happy days for Newcastle Jets. Photo: Getty Images
“But he recognised there was talent there.
“A week after going and watching the youth team train he had six train in the first team.
“He said to me at the time: ‘mate there’s serious talent here and I’ll give them an opportunity’.
“First time someone has. When someone shows faith in people like that you get buy in.”
Initially, McBreen wasn’t sure if such a young squad could stand up to the muscle of an Auckland, or Brisbane., After the Australia Cup triumph, it looked like they might.
Milligan didn’t abort. He just adjusted and refined things.
“Maybe they were too gung-ho, the nature of their success in the Australia Cup, their full-backs and midfielders going so high that when they turned the ball over they couldn’t react.
“Millsy addressed that, (tweaked) the distances between positions. Now they’re able to recover when they make mistakes. You’ve seen a marked improvement.”
The kids also trust him.
“They’re on the same page,” McBreen said.
“I did a couple of interviews in the Australia Cup campaign – it was like they had sat down in a room and said ‘these are the key words’. The message was so clear from Milligan, his staff and the players. They almost verbatim said the same response!”
AND THERE IS SOME SERIOUS TALENT
From the youngsters, to those kicking on, to those like Max Burgess enjoying a renaissance, there’s stories all over the park.
“Will Dobson is killing it; Xavier Bertoncello is scoring goals; Max Cooper was doing well until he was suspended,” he said.
“Look at Eli Adams, Clayton Taylor. Yes, they were brought in by Robert Stanton, who laid the bedrock, but they are going to another level, Eli especially.
“They’re young and hungry, looking for success. So was Alex Badolato, until his injury.
Dismay for Heidelberg, joy for Newcastle. Photo: Football Australia/Aleksandar Jason
“They are a tight knit group willing to run through a brick wall for each other.”
He continued: “Adams and Taylor, two very different in nature but the way they go past people, the confidence they have striking a ball, it is wonderful to watch. Sometimes you wonder how and why they’re able to go past opponents so easily but the way they move their body, the pace they go at – defenders don’t know what to do! And when they hit a shot, gee, they can hit a ball.
“Mark Natta and Daniel Wilmering have gone to a different level under Millsy. Wilmering, a year ago at a function, said, ‘give me a shoutout’. I joked back: you’ll have to do something for me! This year he’s doing plenty and being exceptional… I’m shouting it to the stars. He’s been quality. That’s the vibe across the board, these kids are floating on air, the confidence Millsy is giving them.”
Max Burgess, 31, needed confidence at a different time in his career.
“I spoke to Max when he did come….he just loves the lifestyle…the whole vibe suits him, laid back guy.
“I know sometimes as a footballer, when you’re that laid back, people can see it as a negative …. you can’t say that about Max Burgess, he is putting in the work. He is one of the older heads in the group but he’s like a younger guy because he was so long out. He is rejuvenated like one of the young ones but with experience in that head. In that No.6 role he’s versatile and willing to do whatever the team needs.
“The move has been a breath of fresh air for him.”
CAN THEY GO ALL THE WAY?
Recently, Milligan was asked what the ceiling of his side was.
“Why would you ever put a ceiling – that means you’re only striving X amount,” McBreen asserted.
“For me, now, this team, are they the favourites to win the Premiership? That’s the question. Finals football is a different matter. Those who have been in finals football will tell you it’s a different beast.
“Why couldn’t they do the treble?
Mark Milligan is mobbed by his players after winning the Australia Cup. Photo: Football Australia/Aleksandar Jason
“Everything we’ve seen in the last 8-9 weeks shows they are the most entertaining, play the best football, score goals, don’t concede many goals any more and they are not relying on one person.
“Why can’t you dare to dream they can do it all!”
THE WARNING … and THE LESSON: OUR KIDS ARE ALRIGHT!
“The smart thing is: lock them down into long term contacts, make that the basis of success going forward.
“But, we’ll reward you (if a transfer comes up) and get rewarded for selling them on.”
And why not make that the basis, McBreen argued.
“Why do we always have to look elsewhere,” he said.
“Give an opportunity to ones on your doorstep and more often they step up to the plate.
“But that’s the opportunity needed. He’s been brave, given kids a chance and they’ve repaid him!”
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