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9. Newcastle Jets vs Western United – 01/02/20

Newcastle Jets 0 vs Western United 0
McDonald Jones Stadium, New Lambton, Newcastle

Both sides took to the pitch in sweltering temperatures in the high 30’s

PRE-GAME

Parking is plentiful in the streets around McDonald Jones Stadium with paid parking also available in the grounds at the front of the stadium. Public transport is also available if coming from Sydney or the Central Coast with Broadmeadow train station only a 1.5 km walk from the stadium.

There are a number of clubs and bars available within walking distance to the ground, as well as some local bars closer to the city who will run their courtesy bus to the ground. We can recommend Wests Leagues Club on Hobart Rd, New Lambton (a leisurely 1km stroll to the ground) or if a pub is more your scene both The General Roberts Hotel on the corner of Alma & Lambton Rd, New Lambton or The Sunnyside Tavern on Broadmeadow Rd, Broadmeadow are about a 1.2km walk.

ARRIVING AT THE GROUND

There are two main gates that are opened for most events the larger one on the western side of the ground also houses the ticketing and services areas for purchase and enquiry while the secondary gate is positioned in proximity to the south-eastern corner and is the best access point for seats on the southern hill or the eastern (Andrew Johns) grandstand.
While for Jets games I would normally sit in the eastern stand a predicted kick off temperature of 37 degrees at 5pm we organised some seats in the upper tier of the Western Stand in Bay 66 (for a good view over the whole field at a price of $39 – good value on a hot day). Tickets can be picked up for $25 in general admission areas such as the hill or $30 for seats in the eastern stand.

The GAME

It was 90 minutes of the Jets dominating Western United without any ability to convert it into points. There was plenty of heat not just in the air but also in the actions of all the players, Josh Risdon, Nigel Boogaard and Besart Berisha to name a few found themselves in physical altercations at different stages of the match as the heat was matched by the aggression of the players.

The Jets had a absolute plethora of scoring opportunities and if it wasn’t for the work of United’s keeper Filip Kurto and inability to finish in front of goal by the Jets it had the potential to be a blow out win for the home side, however it didn’t seem to matter which of the home team it was with opportunity they would spray it wide, drill it at the keeper or in Dimi Petratos’ case somehow kick it backwards when running at a losse ball in front of an almost completely open goal.

That said after 90 minutes of football in temperatures of the high 30s neither team could break the deadlock and they split the points. It was almost relief in the end that it was over rather than the result.

Johnny Koutroumbis & Steve Ugarkovic collapse with exhaustion at full time

A low crowd of just shy of 5,500 in a 30,000 seat stadium however didn’t do the game justice in terms of atmosphere even with a passionate group going hard in the Jets active supporter bay.

FOOD

Food and Drinks weren’t high on our priority list but we did grab some hot chips and a couple of beverages, pricing was reasonable (with a 10% discount for Newcastle Jets members) a 600ml coke, a bottle of water and some hot chips left us with change from $15.

The chips were some of the better ones I have had at a stadium recently so more than a pass mark here.

A meager crowd turned up with only a few choosing to brave the direct sun on the North Hill

OVERALL RATINGS

Parking – 4.5/5
View – 4/5
Value – 4.5/5
Food Quality – 4/5
Food Pricing – 4/5
Atmosphere – 2/5

TOTAL – 23/30

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8. Sydney FC vs Brisbane Roar – 31/01/20

Sydney FC 1 (Adam Le Fondre 57′) def Brisbane Roar 0
NetStrata Jubilee Oval, Carlton, Sydney

A healthy crowd rolled in early to watch the Sky Blues in action

Pre-Game

Free parking was readily available on the north side of Princes Highway, about 400 m to the northern side of the ground. Alternatively the ground is a short stroll (600m) from Carlton Railway Station, which is only a 20 minute ride on the T4 line from Sydney’s Central Station.

Nearby venues, that are ideal for a drink before the game include St George Leagues Club (which is about 100m south of the ground on the opposite side of the Princes Highway or if you have caught the train, the Royal Hotel, Carlton is opposite the railway station on your walk to the ground.

ARRIVING AT THE GROUND

There is four entrances labelled Gate A through D with Gate A located at the southwest corner, B at the northwest, C at the northeast and D at the southeast, there is a ticket booth easily accessible from the Princes Highway parking end next to gate D.

Ticket pricing is quite reasonable with tickets ranging from $60 in the covered grandstand to $35 for uncovered concourse reserved seating and through to $30 General Admission tickets on the hill.

We opted in for a central bay in the concourse and the view of the whole ground was pretty solid

View from Concourse Bay E during the match

The Game

It was a balmy night in the early 30’s in the south of Sydney as the ladder leading Sky Blues took on an improved Brisbane Roar who were wanting to consolidate a spot in the top six. Brisbane started off aggressively with a tik tak style short passing football and Dylan Wenzel Halls was an early stand out but couldn’t converting his attacking raids into anything more.

In the first half Brisbane had a small handful of chances as did Sydney FC with the best of theirs a one on one for cult hero Rhyan Grant but he stumbled on the ball and couldn’t capitalise and the sides went to the break locked at nil all.

In the second half Brisbane came out with some attacking flair but nothing could amount to them breaking the deadlock, until the 56th minute when an Adam Le Fondre shot was blocked by Scott Neville and it was adjudged to be handball, giving the Sky Blues a penalty and Le Fondre dutifully stepped up and converted to give Sydney the lead, the hand ball also saw Neville given his second yellow and his marching orders along with it, seeing the Roar reduced to 10 men.

Sydney FC coach Steve Corica encourages his troops on as The Cove supporters cheer on in the background

From here Sydney had the majority of the upper hand in the remainder of the match, including a penalty that was awarded and then overturned by the VAR for offside. Sydney kept up their pressure throughout and only the superb work of Jamie Young kept the scoreline at 1-0 through to full time.

Food (At THe GROUND)

The food available at the ground was solid and in the mid range of pricing available for food, We went with a Fish & Chip combo which included two pieces of fish, a serving of chips and a 600ml drink for $14.90

Fish & Chips from the combo at NetStrata Jubilee Oval

The fish was pretty tasty, and the chips were more than passable, all in all not a bad meal and far from the worst I have got at a stadium. Good serving size.

Overall Ratings

Parking – 5/5
View – 4/5
Value – 4/5
Food Quality – 3.5/5
Food Pricing – 3/5
Atmosphere – 3/5

TOTAL – 22.5/30