2 weeks Ago By Josh Callinan
NOAH James admits "there were definitely moments when I thought this is probably it, I've probably got to look for something else to do now". Login or signup to continue reading The Jets goalkeeper spent 1640 days in the A-League wilderness. Training without playing.
Multiple loan periods. Wondering when, or even if, his next chance might arrive. It finally came, he saw and he conquered.
Reflecting on a whirlwind promotion and man-of-the-match performance in Newcastle's first win at home since April last year , James felt satisfied being "back where I've worked all my life to get to". Now, the 23-year-old who grew up playing for the Kahibah and Charlestown clubs, next faces one of the A-League's toughest challenges in 2024-2025. And it comes in the shape of former Jets teammate Archie Goodwin, now playing for second-placed Adelaide and a golden-boot contender having scored eight goals so far this campaign.
"Archie's a good mate of mine and we've known each other for a long time, but hopefully I can keep him to no goals this weekend," James said. "We all know how good Archie is, he's shown that now and I'm stoked for him. "He's played a few games, got his body right and he's scoring goals.
"Everyone knew he would score goals when he had a run of games, he's just that good. It's going to be tough." The Jets visit Adelaide at Coopers Stadium on Saturday (7:35pm).
Regardless of opposition, James now wants to try and keep himself in Newcastle's top job ahead of fellow shot-stopper Ryan Scott and stay between the sticks a little longer than his one-off A-League debut back in August, 2020. "Maintaining the position is probably the biggest one, putting a string of performances together like I did on the weekend and hopefully I can back it up for the rest of the year," James said. "Getting back out there was good but it's not about one game, it's about backing up every week.
That's what makes a top footballer at the end of the day, being able to have that consistency." Jets captain Kosta Grozos was pleased with James, also known by his nickname Jimbo, making the step up in Saturday's 3-0 success against Melbourne Victory at McDonald Jones Stadium. "Jimbo was great.
He's been biding his time, got his chance and proved he's a very good keeper," Grozos said. "We all have faith in Jimbo and we know from training that he's a great keeper and a great guy." Grozos, now playing in the defensive line, will likely come head-to-head with Adelaide striker Goodwin during the away trip.
"Archie's a bit unpredictable. You don't really know what he's going to do so he's going to be a threat. We'll need to look after that," the skipper said.
Grozos slotted home the penalty to open Newcastle's scoring late in the second half, but only after a 20-minute delay amid a medical emergency involving a crowd member. "We didn't know what happened, so we thought we might be waiting a minute or so. As time went on, more focus was just on hoping he [fan] was alright and it ended up that way.
Thankfully I scored," Grozos said. He has now converted twice from the spot this campaign. "We have quite a few boys that could probably step up and take a penalty I'd be comfortable with," Grozos said.
"I've been taking penalties since I was younger. "Last year no one really said a word to Stamma [former Jets striker Apostolos Stamatelopoulos] because that was sort of his thing taking the penalties. "I'll step up and I'm always confident.
" The Jets face the top two sides, Adelaide and leaders Auckland, during the next three rounds with Brisbane in between on February 21. Newcastle sits 11th on the A-League ladder with 15 points, 10 adrift of the top six but five clear of nearest rivals Perth (10). The Jets are unbeaten in their three most recent starts (two draws and a win) and have only dropped two of seven appearances in the new year.
Before the weekend, Newcastle's last win at McDonald Jones Stadium was 3-1 recorded against Sydney FC on April 7, 2024. The Jets trained in wet conditions in Maitland on Tuesday. My name is Josh Callinan and I'm a sports journalist at the Newcastle Herald.
I started with the newspaper in 2016 after a decade at the Maitland Mercury. My name is Josh Callinan and I'm a sports journalist at the Newcastle Herald. I started with the newspaper in 2016 after a decade at the Maitland Mercury.
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