The Newcastle Jets have taken a firm stance, refusing to release three of their promising young players for the Australian Under-23 national team's campaign at the upcoming Asian Cup.
Club versus country clash over key dates
The Jets have informed Football Australia that Will Dobson, Alex Badolato, and Ben Gibson will not be made available for the tournament, which kicks off in January. The decision is within the club's rights, as the competition is scheduled outside the official FIFA international window, meaning clubs are not obligated to release their players.
Football Australia confirmed the Jets are among several A-League clubs that have blocked players from participating. The Olyroos have been drawn in Group D alongside Thailand, China, and Iraq, with their opening match against Thailand set for January 8. The tournament final will be played on January 25.
Jets prioritise tight A-League ladder battle
The club's decision is heavily influenced by their current position in the A-League Men's competition. The Jets are sitting in eighth place on 12 points, with the league table incredibly compressed. Only four points separate third-placed Brisbane Roar (15 points) from 11th-placed Western Sydney Wanderers.
Newcastle faces a critical run of fixtures during the Asian Cup period, with an away match against Melbourne City on January 11, followed by home games against the Western Sydney Wanderers on January 17 and Wellington Phoenix on January 23. Losing three key contributors for these matches is seen as a significant risk to their season ambitions.
The impacted trio have been important figures for the Jets. Alex Badolato, 20, was a star for the Young Socceroos at the Under-20 Asian Cup earlier this year. Both he and Will Dobson have been among Newcastle's best performers across the opening ten rounds. Ben Gibson, who has New Zealand heritage and has expressed interest in representing the All Whites, has scored three goals in ten appearances, starting four matches. He previously played for the Olyroos in qualifying matches last September.
Olyroos coach looks to squad depth
Olyroos coach Tony Vidmar acknowledged the selection challenges, stating the tournament remains a vital development opportunity. "This is an important opportunity to compete in a major Asian tournament and test our players against the best teams and talent in the region," Vidmar said.
"While many players were unavailable for selection, we have worked hard to build depth within the squad, and this tournament creates opportunities for players who have performed strongly over the past six months."
Vidmar highlighted that recent Olyroos participants have successfully progressed to the Socceroos, naming players like Joe Gauci, Jordy Bos, and Kusini Yengi. His squad will be led by overseas-based talents including James Overy (Manchester United), Jed Drew (TSV Hartberg), and Steven Hall (Brighton), alongside A-League regulars such as Adelaide United's Ethan Alagich and Luka Jovanovic.
In a separate but related matter, the Jets have also sought clarification from A-League referees boss John Moss regarding the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) protocol. This follows a controversial finish to their 5-4 defeat to Macarthur FC on Boxing Day, where coach Mark Milligan believed a foul on defender Max Cooper was missed in the lead-up to the Bulls' 96th-minute winner.
Milligan expressed frustration after being told the VAR did not intervene because the incident was "too far back" in the attacking sequence, contrasting it with a decision reviewed and overturned in the Jets' favour during Round One. The club has formally requested an explanation on the consistency of VAR's role and intervention points.
