Newcastle Jets striker Lachlan Rose has fired his side to a historic victory and into the outright lead for the league's Golden Boot award. Rose's moment of individual brilliance in the 67th minute was the difference in a tense 1-0 win over Melbourne City at AAMI Park on Sunday.
Record-Breaking Road Warriors
The crucial three points did more than just boost the ladder position. The victory marked a new club record for the Jets, securing their fourth consecutive away win this A-League Men season. This impressive run follows three straight wins in New Zealand earlier in the campaign, solidifying their reputation as formidable travellers.
The result sees Newcastle (6-6) rocket back into the competition's top six, now sitting equal fourth on 18 points. The match itself was a tightly contested affair, with City dominating early possession but failing to break down a resolute Jets defence.
Rose's Relentless Reward
For much of the contest, it appeared Lachlan Rose's hard work would go unrewarded. The striker had been tirelessly pressuring City's backline throughout, with his best first-half chance—a point-blank effort—spectacularly saved by Socceroos goalkeeper Patrick Beach.
His persistence paid off late. With what proved to be his final touch of the game, Rose dispossessed City defender German Ferreyra, drove into the penalty area, and calmly finished past Beach. The goal was his sixth of the 2025-2026 season, putting him two ahead of his total from the previous campaign and into the outright lead for the Golden Boot.
"I was stoked with it to be honest," Rose told Paramount Plus after the match.
Defensive Grit Seals the Deal
Newcastle's victory was built as much on defensive steel as attacking flair. Goalkeeper James Delianov was instrumental, producing a crucial punch to clear danger in the 23rd minute and again late in the match to preserve the clean sheet.
The Jets survived several major scares. City thought they had equalised in the 41st minute through former Jet Andrew Nabbout, but the effort was correctly ruled offside by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR). Defender Mark Natta also had a heart-stopping moment, nearly scoring an own goal in the 49th minute with a deflection that rolled dangerously across the face of goal.
Deep into injury time, Natta redeemed himself with a vital block, before Delianov's full-stretch dive and a clean trap from Daniel Wilmering finally extinguished City's last hope.
The win caps a significant weekend for the Jets, who now look ahead with their season firmly on track. In other results, Wellington drew 2-2 with Adelaide, while Perth, Sydney FC, Western Sydney Wanderers, and Auckland all recorded victories.
