Wholehearted Jets defender Jason Hoffman is set to make his 50th Hyundai A-League appearance for the club when Scott Miller’s men challenge Perth Glory at nib Stadium on Monday night.
Hoffman debuted for the club way back in 2007 against Queensland (née Brisbane) Roar at Hunter Stadium, and has also featured for Newcastle in the AFC Champions League (2009).
The reliable right-back spent time with Melbourne City (née Heart) between 2010 and 2015, but re-joined the Jets in July last year.
Hoffman has been a mainstay of Newcastle’s backline this campaign, making 20 Hyundai A-League appearances from a possible 21 for the club.
The former Mayfield United junior and Hamilton Olympic player said he’s proud to be bringing up the personal milestone with his local professional team.
“50 appearances for the club is a good achievement, and I am proud that I can do it in what’s been a good run in the last month,” Hoffman said.
“It’s always good, especially for your home town, to knock up some milestone games.”
Nevertheless, he says Newcastle will venture to nib Stadium prepared for the challenge of Glory.
“Everyone is saying that they [Perth] are the form team of the competition, but I think we are in pretty good form ourselves,” he said.
“Newcastle Jets are in good form and we will go there full of confidence after a good derby win and a good month and a half at home and on the road.”
“The travel won’t be an excuse and we will go there prepared to leapfrog Perth [on the Hyundai A-League standings].”
“It’s not hard to get motivated when we know a win will see us leapfrog Perth,” he concluded.
Perth Glory (seventh) are currently on 28 competition points while Newcastle Jets (eighth) are on 26.
Perth Glory vs. Newcastle Jets – Hyundai A-League 2015/16 round 22
Monday 7 March 2016
nib Stadium, Perth
Kick-off: 8:00pm (AEDT), 5:00pm (local)
Social Media: Join the match conversation using #PERvNEW
Broadcast: Fox Sports 505
Radio: 1233 ABC Newcastle, ABC Grandstand Digital