In a heartwarming pre-Christmas spectacle, the Newcastle Jets secured a famous 2-0 victory over A-League heavyweights Sydney FC, powered by the dreams of their homegrown youth. The match was decisively sealed by two academy products, with teenage midfielder Will Dobson scoring his first ever goal at home.
A Dream Realised for Local Hero
For 18-year-old Will Dobson, the moment he had visualised since childhood finally arrived on December 21, 2025. Breaking a tense deadlock in the 66th minute, Dobson pounced on a rebound after his initial shot was saved by Sydney FC goalkeeper Harrison Devenish-Meares. His immediate celebration, forming a love heart with his hands towards his family in the stands, captured the pure emotion of the occasion.
"Coming to games as a kid, you see players scoring goals and celebrating. You dream that it could be you one day," an elated Dobson said post-match. "It was unbelievable. The love heart was for them." He admitted the goal didn't go exactly to plan, but highlighted the instinct required: "I stayed alive and thankfully I tapped it in."
Young Guns Fire Under Milligan's Belief
The Jets' triumph was firmly rooted in the faith shown by new coach Mark Milligan in the club's youth. Dobson, who played only 172 minutes last season, has started every game under Milligan and has become a central figure. The coach's philosophy is clear: empower the young players with confidence.
"Mark has been unbelievable with the young players," Dobson confirmed. "He says go out there and do your thing... If we do that, he will back us 100 per cent." Milligan praised Dobson's innate confidence and the remarkable growth of substitute Xavier Bertoncello, who iced the win with a stunning 84th-minute strike from the edge of the box.
"Everyone sees the result tonight but they don't see what these players do every day," Milligan said, acknowledging the hard work behind the scenes. Dobson also shone in a central midfield role, filling in for the injured Max Burgess and combining effectively with Alex Badolato and Kosta Grozos.
A Statement Win for Newcastle's Future
This victory represents more than just three points for the Newcastle Jets. It is a validation of their academy system and a bold statement about their future direction under Milligan. The performance demonstrated a seamless blend of youthful exuberance and tactical discipline, overwhelming a star-studded Sydney FC side.
For Will Dobson, the goal is a milestone in what he hopes is a continuing ascent. "This year has been really good for me. I feel really confident," he stated. "The main aim is to keep growing. Keep building." With the unwavering support of a coach who believes in them, Dobson and his fellow Jets youngsters have announced themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the A-League.
