THE LOWEDOWN: Time for blast from the past

The Jets gave their usual wholehearted effort against Adelaide on Sunday, but for the third consecutive home game failed to trouble the scorers. It’s definitely time for a Jets goal at Hunter Stadium.

The Jets may have ended up with 54per cent of the ball but, having just watched the opening half hour on a replay, I can tell you that Adelaide had 70per cent of the ball and almost total control for the first 25 minutes.

Newcastle’s decision to play with three central defenders may have provided security through the middle, but Sergio Cirio hugging the left touchline was a consistent creative outlet for the visitors.

The possession stats evened out as the Jets looked to salvage a point, and Adelaide went into protect-what-we-have mode, particularly when sub Nigel Boogard was forced from the field with 14 minutes remaining, leaving Adelaide to play out the game a man down.

In many ways the game was a microcosm of the Jets’ season. Plenty of perspiration, not too much inspiration, opportunities none the less but alas, no end product.

So it’s time. Time to invite Jets fans to lie down on Dr Dave’s (with apologies to local DJs) therapy bench, crank up Bruce Springsteen’s Glory Days and think about happier times.

I’ve been threatening to mark the Jets’ 10-year participation in the A-League with a competition to nominate the best line-up the Jets could muster over that time, and with a view to soothing a few jangled nerves for Jets fans, it’s time to reminisce.

Of course, my procrastination has allowed the southern silvertails at Melbourne Victory to get in first, with a swanky upmarket soiree on Saturday night, but we will press on regardless.

Old Boys Day on Sunday allowed me to twist the very compliant arm of Steven (Smutza) Smythe at the Duke of Wellington, always a faithful supporter of football in this town, to offer a dinner for four to the winning entrant.

If that winner should so desire, he or she can invite any or all of the judging panel – yours truly, Kevin Cranson and James Gardiner – to attend, and Kev’s extensive entertainment allowance should cover that.

Hopefully with approval from Jets management we can also have a player come along.

Here is how I propose this will work. The Herald will print a coupon with provision for you to select a starting 11 and five-man bench (one goalkeeper) from the 10 years of the A-League.

Yes,  I have required the purchase of the newspaper to participate, but hey, I’m old school, and times are tough.

The judging panel will sit down before any entry is opened, over a long lunch somewhere, and come up with an agreed squad. Before anyone asks, you know I think systems are overrated, so don’t limit yourself there.

Any appropriate sponsors out there (I say hello to the guys at Kloster Hyundai) who wish to get involved, feel free to express an interest at the Herald.

So football fans generally, and Jets fans in particular, over the next few days I want you to slip into your ‘‘onesie’’, or something comfortable, get the feet up, crank up the ‘Boss’, or if you require some Enya to provide the mellow, do that and cast your mind back to better days.

If you are a true blue Jets fan you deserve it. The season from hell doesn’t quite call for the poignance of Tim Robbins’ character Andy Dufresne in the Shawshank Redemption, broadcasting classical music over the prison loudspeakers to momentarily help every prisoner escape the hardship of incarceration, but some might argue it’s not far off it.

Allow yourself to consider some of the big names that have graced the shirt, remember the pride you felt when the ‘‘Toilet Seat’’ was proudly hoisted aloft at the Sydney Football Stadium  and then back at Adamstown Oval.

Without in any way pre-empting the selections, remember the silk of Nick Carle, the luscious left foot of crowd favourite Milton Rodriguez.

What about the stellar years enjoyed by Joel Griffiths in the championship-winning season, and Adam Taggart last year.

Two of the Jets’ former captains, Ned Zelic and Paul Okon, would sit comfortably in most people’s top10 Australian players of all time. Josh Brillante has gone from the Jets to Serie A.

Would you find a place for Stu Musialik over Kasey Wehrman? Is Ante Covic the best keeper the club has had?

What’s your favourite memory of those 10 years? Would Mark Bridges’ grand final goal get him a spot in your squad? Indeed would the Joe Marston medallist from that game, Andrew Durante, who has gone on to represent New Zealand and lead a Wellington Phoenix revival with distinction, get a starting gig?

Sometimes, particularly when things aren’t going too well, it’s good to cast the mind back to better days, and warm the cockles of your heart.

I recently found some old photographs, and one has taken pride of place on the fridge. There I am 30 kilos and 30 years ago, semi-naked, along with two Australian youth team colleagues, post-match.

There is an unburdened sense of happiness to the photo, and a hint of abdominal definition, though not surprisingly the other two looked slightly leaner.

Ah, life was good then, and though I’m reluctant to brag, or speak for my comrades in the picture, I’d just like to say, that like the recent cricket World Cup, one semi was eminently more exciting than the other.

But I digress, further rules need to be clarified, and the person who nominates closest to the correct squad of 16 will win the prize, and the dubious honour of thinking like two hardened journos and an old has-been.

In the event of the contest being drawn, for example 14 out of 16 squad members being correctly nominated, then the one with the most correct starting line-up will win.

If things are still tied, a rock, paper, scissors shootout will decide.

In a reversal of roles, I’m going to try to put a deadline on my long-suffering editor of one week to get the graphics done and present the first batch of entry forms next Tuesday. I’m even willing to shorten the content of my column to accommodate said coupon.

There is a rumour that a hotly sought after spot on Herald Half-time may also be in the prize mix, so do watch that show online for any further details, and a plethora of sponsors jumping on board.

I’m hoping you will take the opportunity to participate. 

It will be really interesting to see the opinions of the real fans, and to debate the positions and selections of the judging panel.

Perhaps most importantly at this time it will provide some happy memories of proud moments for the Newcastle Jets Football Club.

You have a week’s start to trim down the possibles and probables and start the culling process. Enjoy your trip down memory lane.