NEWCASTLE Jets’ star signing Roy O’Donovan has got his wish.
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The Irish striker will make his A-League debut for the Jets against his former club, the Central Coast Mariners, in the 2017-18 season opener in Gosford on Saturday, October 7.
The 31-year-old front-man made the controversial decision to leave the Mariners, where he had spent two seasons and was their leading goal-scorer, to join arch-rivals Newcastle in April. The move was not well received on the Central Coast.
At his first day of training with the Jets, O’Donovan said the ideal scenario would be to take on the Mariners in round one.
The season opener is one of two F3 derbies in Gosford. The other is in the final round on Friday, April 13. The Jets host the Mariners in round 15 on Tuesday, January 9.
The Jets have 14 games at McDonald Jones Stadium and 13 away from home. Unlike last year when they played Melbourne City in Coffs Harbour, all home games will be at McDonald Jones Stadium.
Their first game in front of home fans is round two against Perth Glory.
They don’t meet champions Sydney FC until round seven at Allianz Stadium.
Significantly, the Jets only travel once each to traditional graveyards Wellington and Perth. The clash against the Phoenix is being played in Auckland.
The longest stretch of home games is three from round 15-17 when they host the Mariners, Brisbane and Wellington.
They are not away from home more than two weeks in a row.
Jets coach Ernie Merrick said “it was a very good draw for the Jets”.
“I can’t recall getting such a good draw in the last five or six years,” Merrick said.
“Our Members will benefit from our deal with the Central Coast Mariners in which they can gain entry to two additional away games.
“In effect full season Jets Members will be able to access 16 Hyundai A-League matches next season, which makes a Membership very worthwhile.
“I also like the fact that our players will be able to stay at home with their families for Christmas and on New Year’s Eve.”
Jets chief executive Lawrie McKinna said the draw didn’t meet all of the club’s requests but was happy with the schedule.
“FFA has worked with us to help develop a schedule which includes a good mixture of matches on different days of the week and weekend,” McKinna said.
“Last year the bulk of our home games were held on Sundays, however this season that has been addressed with nine our of 14 games on Fridays and Saturdays.
“From football, fan and commercial perspectives we are pleased with our draw this season,” he said.
JETS 2017-18 draw
Rd 1, Saturday, 7 October 2017: Central Coast Mariners v Newcastle Jets at Central Coast Stadium, 5:35pm
Rd 2, Sunday, 15 October 2017 Newcastle Jets v Perth Glory at McDonald Jones Stadium, 5:00pm
Rd 3, Sunday, 22 October 2017 Brisbane Roar v Newcastle Jets at Suncorp Stadium, 5:00pm
Rd 4, Sunday, 29 October 2017 Newcastle Jets v Western Sydney at McDonald Jones Stadium 5:00pm
Rd 5, Saturday, 4 November 2017 Newcastle Jets v Wellington Phoenix at McDonald Jones Stadium, 7:50pm
Rd 6, Saturday, 11 November 2017 Adelaide United v Newcastle Jets at Coopers Stadium, 5:35pm
Rd 7, Saturday, 18 November 2017 Sydney FC v Newcastle Jets at Allianz Stadium, 7:50pm
Rd 8, Thursday, 23 November 2017: Newcastle Jets v Melbourne Victory at McDonald Jones Stadium, 7:50pm
Rd 9, Saturday, 2 December 2017: Newcastle Jets v Melbourne City FC at McDonald Jones Stadium, 7:50pm
Rd 10, Saturday, 9 December 2017: Perth Glory v Newcastle Jets at nib Stadium, 10:00pm
Rd 11, Saturday, 16 December 2017: Newcastle Jets v Adelaide United at McDonald Jones Stadium, 5:35pm
Rd 12, Friday, 22 December 2017: Newcastle Jets v Western Sydney at McDonald Jones Stadium, 7:50pm
Rd 13, Friday, 29 December 2017: Melbourne Victory v Newcastle Jets at AAMI Park, 7:50pm
Rd 14, Wednesday, 3 January 2018: Sydney FC v Newcastle Jets at Allianz Stadium, 7:50pm
Rd 15, Tuesday, 9 January 2018: Newcastle Jets v Central Coast Mariners at McDonald Jones Stadium, 7:50pm
Rd 16, Friday, 12 January 2018: Newcastle Jets v Brisbane Roar FC at McDonald Jones Stadium, 7:50pm
Rd 17, Saturday, 20 January 2018: Newcastle Jets v Wellington Phoenix at McDonald Jones Stadium, 5:35pm
Rd 18, Thursday, 25 January 2018: Melbourne City v Newcastle Jets at AAMI Park, 7:50pm
Rd 19, Saturday, 3 February 2018: Newcastle Jets v Melbourne Victory at McDonald Jones Stadium, 5:35pm
Rd 20, Friday, 16 February 2018: Western Sydney v Newcastle Jets at Spotless Stadium, 7:50pm
Rd 21, Saturday, 24 February 2018: Brisbane Roar v Newcastle Jets at Suncorp Stadium, 5:35pm
Rd 22, Saturday, 3 March 2018: Newcastle Jets v Sydney FC at McDonald Jones Stadium, 5:35pm
Rd 23, Saturday, 17 March 2018: Wellington Phoenix v Newcastle Jets at QBE Stadium (Auckland), 5:35pm
Rd 24, Friday, 23 March 2018: Adelaide United v Newcastle Jets at Coopers Stadium, 7:50pm
Rd 25, Sunday, 1 April 2018: Newcastle Jets v Melbourne City at McDonald Jones Stadium, 5:00pm
Rd 26, Friday, 6 April 2018: Newcastle Jets v Perth Glory at McDonald Jones Stadium, 7:50pm
Rd 27, Friday, 13 April 2018: Central Coast Mariners v Newcastle Jets at Central Coast Stadium, 7:50pm