JETS coach Gary van Egmond says the challenge of becoming the first A-League team to win a grand final from outside the top two should inspire his players rather than intimidate them.
After consecutive wins on the road, the Jets have climbed to sixth rung on the competition ladder and have seven games remaining – starting with tomorrow night’s crucial clash with Melbourne Heart at Hunter Stadium – to consolidate a position in April’s play-off series. However, history would suggest just reaching the top six counts for little.
In the six A-League grand finals so far, only one of the 12 teams involved did not finish in the top two during the regular season.
That was Central Coast, who in the A-League’s inaugural season qualified third and progressed into the decider, only to be beaten by Sydney.
The top two enjoy significant advantages in the play-offs, including a second-chance lifeline in the opening week and home-ground advantage.
Sides finishing third to sixth face three sudden-death games to even reach the grand final and for teams five and six, every match is on the road.
Logistically, the odds are stacked against the bottom four finalists, in particular the teams placing fifth and sixth.
Van Egmond conceded it was unlikely Newcastle could make up the eight-point gap between themselves (25 points) and second-placed Wellington (33).
But he said eventually a team from outside the top two would win the A-League grand final and there was no reason why Newcastle could not be the first to claim such a milestone.
‘‘The top two would be wonderful but right at this moment that is a long way out of our grasp,’’ van Egmond said.
‘‘We know that if we get ourselves into that top six we can match it with anyone and that gives us confidence.
‘‘We also know that it’s difficult from anywhere other than the top two but that’s what the history books are there for – to be rewritten.
‘‘These things occur and there’s no reason why a team from outside the top two can’t win it.’’
Van Egmond said his players realised they could not afford to take a step back after their giant strides against Brisbane and Sydney.
‘‘It’s very important and that’s what we’ve discussed,’’ he said.
‘‘We’ve done well in our last few games but we know how hard these next seven games are going to be to sustain our spot in the top six.
‘‘We know it’s going to be tough.
‘‘This week we’ve got another big game against the Heart ... it’s really in our own hands.
‘‘On any given day, anyone can beat anyone and it’s just a matter of us having the right mental approach.’’
The Heart are winless in their past seven games, having scored only five goals in that period, and the Jets plan to extend that sequence.
‘‘It’s been a while since they had a win and we don’t want to be the team who helps turn their season around,’’ van Egmond said.
‘‘It can happen to teams when they go through a rough patch.
‘‘Even Central Coast, they’ve won some games but by their own admission they’re not dominating like they were earlier in the season.’’
The Heart are expected to welcome back skipper Fred from a groin injury.
? In-form Jets attacker Jeremy Brockie has been chosen to represent New Zealand against Jamaica in Auckland on February 29.
Brockie, Newcastle’s leading scorer with eight goals this season, will be available for Newcastle’s home match against Adelaide five days earlier before joining the All Whites team camp.
If he plays, it will be his 25th international cap.
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