Sydney FC 3 Newcastle Jets 2
The Sydney FC regular home season came to an end in an ill-timed Easter Sunday afternoon fixture that coupled as a farewell to long-standing custodian Andrew Redmayne. The timing, a clash with every family lunch or dinner as Greek Easter fell on the same day as Catholic Easter, was one thing, but to have the event in the same precinct as a major AFL event was even more crazy; football was dwarfed by it’s Aussie Rules cousin and made to look Mickey Mouse in comparison. Those who made the journey, a reported 10,000 including plenty of Newcastle Jets shirts, were rewarded for their devotion with an exciting game where the result was never sure until the final whistle sounded.
Easter Sunday was still quite young when we made the journey to Central via West Ryde station, but it only became evident that the AFL was on when we arrived at the light rail stop. “Everyone aboard for the Moore Park express” was the cry from the eager train guards, keen to fill the tram, as another tram pulled up alongside going to the same place and left before we did. By the time we left, the tram was packed, and mainly with the red and white of the Sydney Swans. The Swans fans were shocked that there was a football game on, and the sky blue shirts were a curious novelty against the red background.
Arriving at Moore Park, we were immediately made welcome into the supporters’ zone outside the Sydney Cricket Ground, the activations and street food eclipsing anything that we would ever see at the real football. AFL still remains a mystery to me after all these years; the demographic for an AFL game is very different to a football crowd, almost a rugby union feel to it. Whether you like me saying it or not, it’s an Anglo crowd, and a lot of people heading there seemed to be going for a social catch-up rather than a full-blooded sporting encounter. Think loafers, tailored shorts and open collared shirts, although to be fair they could have been heading to the pub in the Entertainment Quarter. This was of course mixed with the three-generation family groups all bedecked in their red and white finery, still sporting the initials of the Melbourne club that spawned its Sydney offspring.
We had no real plan today; the traditional Crown option on Cleveland Street wasn’t going to be busy and we were running fairly late, so the only option was a quick sup in the Olympic Hotel before heading back to Gate 3. That pub never ceases to amaze me – it is so close to the stadium, but just doesn’t seem to want a football crowd in. It’s the equivalent, if you can indulge me, of Rosie’s Bar in Newcastle Upon Tyne, the last pub before you walk up to Gallowgate at St James’ Park, a pub that is always rammed full on match day right up until kick off. This one could be the same, but they just don’t seem to want a big crowd in.
That first beer seemed to be the turning point. Up until then, there was no notion of this being a big day, but as soon as that sweet lager hit my lips on a relatively warm day, the four-day public holiday weekend was ready to be used and abused. We stocked up at the main bar on halfway so we could take our cans up to Cove Heights, and the game was just about to kick off, a banner unfurled for Socceroos hero Andrew Redmayne and the Cove in full voice despite smaller-than-usual numbers. Both teams were playing in blue, which was an odd choice, although Newcastle’s change kit was a very dark blue so there was no real clash. The early airing of the SFC chant, the final Come On You Boys In Blue of the season and the slightly late Rhythm of my Heart warmed the crowd, but by this stage Sydney FC were already two goals behind in alarming fashion.
To give you an idea of the goals, from our lofty position looking down on the Sydney defence, it was calamity. Firstly Jordan Courtney-Perkins fell and only casually got up as Newcastle threatened. Lethargy was the key word. The shot was charged down, but squirmed out to the right of the goal, where there was a distinct lack of urgency from the light blue shirts to close the man down, and when the cross was poked in, male supermodel Lachie Rose had the easiest finish, Joel King affording so much room to his man, an identical goal to Max Caputo’s in the recent 3-2 reverse against Melbourne City here at Allianz Stadium. A simply abysmal goal to concede.
Worse was to come as a pedestrian Sydney defence forgot to defend the left side and instead of a big gap on the left for the Jets to exploit, it was a huge chasm on the right for the Jets’ Japanese import Kota Mizunuma to thrash the cross into the net unhindered for 2-0. Memories of that 6-2 defeat here with Liam Reddy gifting goals at will flashed through our minds – this was as bad as it gets and heads were in hands.
With Newcastle threatening again, Sydney hit back unexpectedly up at the far end, and it was Douglas Costa, a man ambling around the field today, who picked up a stray ball and unleashed from distance, the ball arrowing near post for a goal out of nowhere. The muted celebration suggested either utter exhaustion or embarassment at not even being level at home against the Jets, but it was welcome. It was one of those goals where you’re sitting down and then up cheering within a second, no suggestion of a chance coming let alone a goal. The lively Anas Ouahim was close soon after, hitting the side netting from another exquisite pass from Costa, and going into half time there was genuine hope of a comeback.
The lack of familiar Newcastle faces when I went up to the far end at half-time may have had something to do with the Newcastle Knights being scheduled to play at home later in the afternoon, but I was back in my seat well before the start of the second half, ready to turn that hope into reality.
And ten minutes later, Sydney were level, although there was a little controversy. Captain Rhyan Grant, revelling in his more mobile role away from the centre of defence, found himself in an advanced position with Charles M’Mombwa dallying, and nudged the Jets player to the floor. He fed Adrian Segecic, and our in-form marksman did the rest from inside the penalty area with a low rasping shot. We expected the goal to be ruled out for the foul, but in reality, we were well placed and Grant had every right to go for the ball when M’Mombwa’s control wasn’t as tight as it should have been. We’ll take it, controversial or not.
Sydney FC had their tails up, and continued to press, Segecic bringing the best out of the Jets goalkeeper with another stunning strike, Ryan Scott pushing the ball over the bar with a top save. With time running out though, Newcastle were holding on. Grant was again involved as Sydney countered, winning a loose ball and abandoning all defensive duties to slip the ball through for Jaiden Kucharski, and the blossoming striker finished with a devastating shot to give Sydney the lead. There was hope for one more so we might see Redders come on for the last few minutes, but the score remained at 3-2 and Sydney FC had somehow managed to keep their finals dream alive.
The relief was palpable, the players made their way to the Cove to acknowledge the unwavering support they had received over the course of a topsy-turvy season. Redders was on the megaphone, giving the photographers what they wanted, and then gave his youngster a chance to score in front of the Cove, which the fans lapped up. Thankfully there was no feature-length goodbye video a la Bobo. Douglas Costa stayed to do signatures and take photographs as if this was his last game; of course we know he is here next year, but that’s what it seemed like.
All the wives and girlfriends were on the field, lots of youngsters enjoying the extended session with the players, and we were in no hurry to signal the end of the home season, despite it having been a difficult watch at times. There seemed to be a rush to get the football markings off the field, and the groundsmen were already mowing the field ready for the next sporting event at this beautiful venue.
We eventually left, amongst the dribs and drabs leaving the 2024/25 season behind as we walked down the stairs for one last time, but we then hit the fans streaming out of the SCG. For a game that goes for hours and had kicked off twenty minutes after ours, there seemed to be a heavy flow of Sydney Swans fans making their way to the light rail. That prompted us to veer to the bus instead, and we got on to a bus already filling with red and white shirts, the game still going on and the background noise of oohs and aahs making it seem that they were missing out on something. What a peculiar situation. Yes, they turn up in numbers, but wow, do they abandon ship when things aren’t going their way.
We were at Central Station in no time, the roads generally clear, and we would have beaten the light rail comfortably. The train to West Ryde was the next train in, and we were at the West Ryde Hotel just over half an hour later to begin a surprisingly big evening, with no talk of the game we had just witnessed or the season we had just experienced, such is the non-consuming nature of football in Australia.
Sydney FC have given us hope of a possible finals appearance, but even if we do somehow get the required points or watch our closest rivals capitulate, the general feeling is that the finals series will be a short one. A win against an off-colour Western United and a fighting draw at Melbourne City on the final day and we could be facing off against Western Sydney Wanderers at Commbank Stadium in May. Now that would get everyone interested again.
If I don’t see you again this season, enjoy the finals series from your armchair. I tried rewinding Paramount+ the other day during the women’s game, and it still didn’t work! Would love to hear your comments about what you’ve seen this season from Sydney FC. Drop me a line on socials, wherever you clicked to find it. Forza Sydney FC!