It’s been eight years since Daniel McBreen last turned out for his hometown club, and now, the big striker returns to Newcastle on the other side of the F3 divide, keen to spoil the Jets night in the long-awaited first derby of the Hyundai A-League 2010/11 season.
It-s been eight years since Daniel McBreen last turned out for his hometown club, and now, the big striker returns to Newcastle on the other side of the F3 divide, keen to spoil the Jets night in the long-awaited first derby of the Hyundai A-League 2010/11 season.
Such are the vagaries of this season-s fixtures the Jets have already fulfilled their three commitments against Brisbane and Adelaide already, before finally pitting themselves against the Mariners.
McBreen admits it has been tough to wait this long for a crack at bragging rights, but is now itching to turn out for the Central Coast in Newcastle tomorrow night.
“I-m sure we-ll get pelted by all of them. It-s a big game the F3 derby and there-s obviously a bit of dislike between the two clubs as far as the supporters go, but for us it-s just another game that we want to win.
“Hopefully we can get the three points and the bragging rights until we play them again,” said McBreen.
The ex North Queensland and Perth marksman has three goals to his name so far this season and while a goal against his old club would be nice, McBreen says he-s not concerned who the opponent is, as long as the back of the net is bulging.
“Scoring against anyone is good, and I don-t care who scores, as long as we win,” McBreen said.
With family ties well and truly entrenched in the Hunter, and plenty of friends the wrong side of Lake Macquarie to boot, McBreen is expecting plenty of banter in the lead-up to the Hyundai A-League-s fiercest rivalry.
“When I first signed here I got a bit of stick from a few of my mates but that-s normal, and my family have all become Mariners supporters now, they-ve all jumped ship, except for my Aunty Les, she doesn-t know what to do, she likes to wear her Jets gear and I always give her a scarf or something to wear, so hopefully she will be wearing both,” laughed McBreen.
The Jets will be without Nikolai Topor-Stanley and Sean Rooney for the much anticipated clash, while Nik Mrdja comes into contention for the Mariners after coming through 45 minutes of the National Youth League clash with Gold Coast United unscathed at the weekend.
The Mariners desperate to bounce back from just their third loss of the season, a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Gold Coast United on Sunday.
“I think we shot ourselves in the foot, we made a couple of mistakes and gave away some bad goals, whether that is tiredness or whatever, but we just have to put that behind us, bounce back and start afresh with a new game.
“It-s always a tough game going up against them, especially with the two big boys at the back for the strikers.
“They are a tough opposition and it would be good to get one over them,” McBreen said.
Live and exclusive broadcast on FOX Sports 1, FS1 HD & Sky Sport 2 (NZ). Hyundai A-League club broadcast partner is 1233 ABC Newcastle and 96.3 Coast FM (Gosford). To purchase tickets visit www.proticket.com.au
Newcastle Jets squad: 1. Ben KENNEDY (gk), 2. Taylor REGAN, 3. Adam D-APUZZO, 4. Nikolai TOPOR STANLEY, 5. Ljubo MILICEVIC, 6. Ben KANTAROVSKI 7. Kasey WEHRMAN, 10. Ruben ZADKOVICH, 11. Tarek ELRICH, 12. Jobe WHEELHOUSE 13. Sasho PETROVSKI, 14. Labinot HALITI, 17. Marcello FIORENTINI, 18. Marko JESIC, 19. Ali ABASS, 22.Kaz PATAFTA, 24. Francis JEFFERS, 40. Matthew NASH
*three to be omitted*
In: Ruben ZADKOVICH (returns from suspension), Ljubo MILICEVIC (returns from suspension)
Out: Zhang SHUO (omitted), Sean ROONEY (injury – unknown)
Unavailable: Neil YOUNG (illness – indefinite), Michael Bridges (Knee – six weeks), Brodie MOOY (Shin Splints – indefinite), Jeremy BROCKIE (Broken foot – 6 to 8 weeks)
Central Coast Mariners: 2 Daniel MCBREEN, 3. Joshua ROSE, 6. Patrick ZWAANSWIJK, 7. John HUTCHINSON, 8. Rostyn GRIFFITHS, 9. Nik MRDJA, 11. Oliver BOZANIC, 12. Matthew LEWIS, 14. Michael McGLINCHEY, 16. Trent SAINSBURY, 17. Chris DOIG, 18. Alex WILKINSON (c), 19. Matt SIMON, 20. Mathew RYAN (gk), 22. Mustafa AMINI, 23. Adam KWASNIK, 30. Paul HENDERSON (gk).?
*two to be omitted*
In: Trent SAINSBURY (promoted), Nik MRDJA (returns from injury)?
Out: Nil
Unavailable: Brad PORTER (knee – 10 weeks), Patricio PEREZ (hip – indefinite), Jess VANSTRATTAN (knee – season)
Referee: Matthew Breeze
