Player Profiles Jets 2007

Newcastle Herald

Thursday August 23, 2007

JOEL GRIFFITHS

DOB: 21-08-79

Position: striker/winger

Previous club: Leeds United

Height: 181cm

Weight: 78kg

A-League games: 21

One of the pin-up boys of the

A-League. Blessed with pace

and power going forward, the

blond-haired winger is a real

danger man. After a couple

of brain explosions early last

season, he was arguably

the Jets' most consistent

performer. Spent the majority

of his time wide on the right

but looks likely to return to his

more-favoured role as a striker.

Was the Jets? equal-second

top-scorer with seven goals. He

may need more than that if the

Jets are to win the title.

AUTOGRAPH

DENNI ROCHA DOS SANTOS

DOB: 21-08-82

Position: midfielder/striker

Previous club: (Esporte Clube

Santo Andre),

Height: 167cm

Weight: 66kg

A-League games: 0

Brazilian playmaker the Jets

are confident will make an

immediate impact. A pocket

rocket who plays in behind the

strikers. Is more in the vein

of former Melbourne Victory

wizard Fred than the man he

replaced, A-League player of

year Nick Carle. Loves to take

on defenders and has scored

some sensational goals. A

crowd pleaser.

AUTOGRAPH

TAREK ELRICH

DOB: 01-01-87

Position: midfielder

Previous club: Sydney Olympic

Height: 180cm

Weight: 75kg

A-League games: 8

Talented youngster who only

had limited opportunities last

season. Is in the same mould

as older brother Ahmed Elrich,

but at 20 is still considered a

work in progress. An out-andout

speed machine but needs

to cut down his turnovers and

add some polish. Can turn a

game, but is only expected to

be an impact player.

AUTOGRAPH

PAUL KOHLER

DOB: 08-05-79

Position: central defence

Previous club: Sydney Olympic

Height: 175cm

Weight: 70kg

A-League games: 41

Reliable utility who rarely

gets a mention despite rarely

putting a foot wrong. Was

signed late last season on

an injury waiver and went

on to make 19 appearances,

18 in the starting side. Can

play a holding role in midfield

or anywhere along the back

line. Not one of the stars but

invariably gets the job done.

Also a keen surfer.

AUTOGRAPH

>> 11 >>

ADAM D'APUZZO

DOB: 20-10-86

Position: midfielder

Previous club: Marconi

Height: 178cm

Weight: 78kg

A-League games: 11

Classy midfielder with a bright

future. The only natural leftfooter

in the squad. Most

comfortable in midfield

but may find himself at left

fullback at times. The presence

of Stuart Musialik restricted

the former Sydneysider to a bitpart

role last year. But he did

enough to earn selection in the

Olyroos squad and has made

valuable contributions in the

Olympic qualifying campaign. Is

also studying a double degree

in commerce and law at the

University of NSW.

AUTOGRAPH

JOBE WHEELHOUSE

DOB: 14-04-85

Position: midfielder

Previous club: Newcastle Utd

Height: 184cm

Weight: 77kg

A-League games: 11

Luckless midfielder who is out

to kick-start his career after two

wretched years due to injury.

Required season-ending ankle

surgery after one game last

year. Was considered one of the

brightest talents in the country

when he stormed onto the

scene in the old NSL as a 17-

year-old. Has worked extremely

hard in the off-season and got

some games under his belt in

the State League. Is strong on

the ball and not afraid to mix it

in defence. If - and it is a big if

- he can stay injury free, he is

certain to feature heavily in the

Jets' plans.

AUTOGRAPH

SCOTT TUNBRIDGE

DOB: 26/06/82

Position: striker

Previous club: Hamilton

Academical FC

Weight: 84kg

Height: 183cm

A-League appearances: 0

Former Adelaide and South

Melbourne striker who has

spent the past two years at

Hamilton Academical in the

Scottish first division. Proven

goalscorer in the old NSL,

Tunbridge gives the Jets some

much-needed punch up front.

Can play out wide but is bound

to find himself at the pointy

end. A perfect replacement for

Vaughan Coveny.

AUTOGRAPH

CRAIG DEANS

DOB: 07-05-74

Position: central defender

Previous club: Newcastle Utd

Height: 187cm

Weight: 87kg

A-League games: 2

Has not played for nearly two

seasons after complications

with minor knee surgery. A tall

and experienced defender,

this is almost certain to be his

last year. After so long on the

sidelines there is a question

mark over his ability to play

week to week, but he can

certainly come in and do a job

if required. A good man to have

in the dressing room.

AUTOGRAPH

>> 12 >>

TROY HEARFIELD

DOB: 31-10-87

Position: striker/midfielder

Previous club: AIS

Height: 180cm

Weight: 77kg

League games: 2

Plucked from nowhere to play

the bench in two finals

games last season. Makes the

up from trainee to fullyfledged

professional. Tamworth

product who spent two years

the AIS before joining the

Jets. A member of the Olyroos

squad and is sure to push for

starting berth.

AUTOGRAPH

NOEL SPENCER

DOB: 26-07-77

Position: midfielder

Previous club: Sydney FC

Height: 183cm

Weight: 84kg

A-League games: 41

Central Coast Mariners?

inaugural captain but was not

wanted by Lawrie McKinna.

Landed on the Jets? doorstep

after a short stint at Sydney

FC. Hard-working, experienced

midfielder who looks the

perfect fit for the Jets. Given

the loss of Paul Okon and Nick

Carle, his leadership qualities

and influence in the dressing

room will be invaluable. Is

technically sound, has a

fantastic passing range and is

capable of scoring a bomb.

AUTOGRAPH

MARK BRIDGE

DOB: 07-11-85

Position: striker

Previous club: Parramatta

Power

Height: 180cm

Weight: 80kg

A-League games: 30

The most improved player

in the A-League last season.

Reaped the rewards from a

big off-season and change

in attitude. Went from a bit

player for the Jets to standby

for the Socceroos Asian Cup

campaign in the space of 12

months. Was the Jets? leading

goalscorer with eight and won

many fans, including Graham

Arnold. With Milton Rodriguez,

Vaughan Coveny and Nick

Carle scoring goals elsewhere,

Bridge will carry the load.

AUTOGRAPH

BEN KENNEDY

DOB: 14-02-87

Position: goalkeeper

Previous Club: Broadmeadow

Magic

Height: 189cm

Weight: 83kg

A-League games: 15

Talk about thrown in at the

deep end. Kennedy was the

only goalkeeper on the Jets?

books for the opening seven

rounds last season. Tall and

athletic, he did a fantastic

job under immense pressure

before the arrival of Ante Covic

in November. Continues to

grow in confidence and, though

not quite ready to challenge

Covic this season, is a morethan-

reliable back-up.

AUTOGRAPH

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