Jets grand final to inject millions into the region: Newcastle Tourism Industry Group

BY JARROD MELMETH

Newcastle's peak tourism body has projected the economic benefits from Saturday's Jets grand final home game against Melbourne Victory at McDonald Jones Stadium to be in the millions.

Hotels across the city are nearing or completely booked out as well as flights from Melbourne to Newcastle, as Melbourne Victory is expected to bring two to four thousand fans along for the ride.

Newcastle Tourism Industry Group Manager Gus Maher said the flow on effects for local businesses will be tremendous.

"There are so many people who will benefit from this such as our hotels, transport operators, cafes, restaurants, pubs and clubs. Let's hope people also get out and listen to some live music.

"But, one of the biggest influences, is that these people will come to this great city, they will see how good it is and they will come back with their friends and relatives," Mr Maher said.

Meanwhile, fans have taken to social media to vent their anger after tickets sold out in both presale and general public sale in minutes and are now appearing on resale websites for up to $1300.

Jets CEO Lawrie McKinna said any members caught participating in scalping will be banned in the future.

Mr McKinna said another announcement regarding "member tickets" would be made on Tuesday.

@NewcastleJetsFC If any one offers you GF tickets at an inflated price do not buy and get their name and report to the Jets office, if these people are members we will ban them in the future

— Lawrie McKinna (@LawrieMcKinna) April 30, 2018

@NewcastleJetsFC We will make another announcement tomorrow regarding members tickets

— Lawrie McKinna (@LawrieMcKinna) April 30, 2018

Horrific Injury Mars Jets Win Over Roar

BY IAN  CROUCH

A clearly distressed Newcastle Jets coach, Ernie Merrick told a post-match media conference his side's 2-1 win over Brisbane "meant nothing" after a sickening injury to marquee midfielder, Ronny Vargas.

The Venezuelan went for a challenge with Brisbane captain, Matt McKay in the 58th minute at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday when his left leg folded under his body and took the full weight as he crashed to the ground.

Team-mates immediately called to the bench as Vargas screamed in pain.

Play was held up for five minutes while he was treated on field before being stretchered off.

The 30-year-old is expected to undergo surgery for a suspected broken tibia and fibula and dislocated left ankle.

Coach, Ernie Merrick called the players to the sideline as Vargas was taken up the tunnel to encourage them to re-focus and to reorganise the midfield.

After the match, Merrick told reporters the win "means nothing really" - then sat silently for 10 seconds as he tried to compose himself before saying "Look, we played well in the first half".

Merrick fielded three more questions from journalists before asking "Can we call it quits, lads?" and cutting the media conference short.

Just before he did Merrick said the injury was one of the worst things he'd experienced "..especially with the way he'd just come over with his wife - settling in, a good lad," he said.

Vargas' immediate future is unclear and the star signing could be out for the rest of the season.

Sickening Injury: Ronald Vargas collapses on his left leg and ankle Image: Fox Sports

 

New Screen for McDonald Jones Stadium

BY TYLER FARDELL

Fans of the Newcastle Knights and the Newcastle Jets will be able to see the action much clearer with the installation of a brand new video screen.

The screen measures in at an impressive 98.3 square metres, three times larger than the current screen.

Work has already begun to remove the old screen, with the new screen expected to be up and running by November, still into the early rounds of the A-League season.

The upgrade has been welcomed by both the CEO of the Knights and the Jets, who say 'this is a major coup for the fans of both codes'.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Scot Macdonald was full of praise for the project.

"The old screen was quite hard to see and this is a big step up in quality and it will make it a better experience for those there on the day".

Photo source; Triple M

Former Newcastle Jets Captain hailed a hero after chasing down bag thief

BY JARROD MELMETH

Former captain of the Newcastle Jets, Andy Roberts, has been involved in an altercation on the Pacific Highway at Charlestown after catching a man who ran off with his wife, Alison's handbag.

The 47-year-old who owns his own menswear store at Charlestown was in a three-piece suit at the time of the chase, but that did not stop him cornering the suspect and waiting for police to arrive.

Alison reported her bag being stolen to Mr Roberts at about 4pm after hearing the back door of her salon open and close and saw the thief leave with her handbag.

Mr Roberts said the property was returned but not before he was allegedly punched in the face by the thief.

"When I confronted him and asked for it back, he took a swipe at me, my wife was there, so I held her back and just took the punch.

"The bag fell to the ground because he had it in the back of his hoodie, we got that back, then we asked for the rest of the bag back, but he wouldn't admit to where it was.

"When the police arrived and we started chasing him down the street with about two or three others in tow," Mr Roberts said.

Andy Roberts and Jets Player Nigel Boogard. Photo source: Newcastle Jets

Meet The New Jets Owner

BY IAN CROUCH

 Chinese businessman, Martin Lee has been announced as the new owner of the Newcastle Jets today.

The businessman, who made his fortune in L.E.D lighting, will front the media with FFA boss, David Gallop at Hunter Stadium this morning.

He purchased the A-League franchise for a reported 5-million dollars and is promising to transform the Jets into an international brand.