Newcastle Jets - Better than C-Diddy would hope.

http://www.theherald.com.au/news/local/sport/football-soccer/jets-prepare-for-season-without-culina/2290639.aspx


Jets prepare for season without Culina

BY BRETT KEEBLE

14 Sep, 2011 04:00 AM


THE Newcastle Jets are preparing for the prospect of marquee signing Jason Culina not playing a game this A-League season.
In a desperate bid to play this summer, Culina will begin a series of blood injections into his problematic left knee this week and has been told by doctors to avoid weight-bearing exercises ��for several weeks��.

Jets chief executive Robbie Middleby confirmed last night that the 31-year-old Socceroos midfielder could miss the first four to six weeks, but he said Culina and the club had not ruled out the worst-case scenario � that the star recruit would not play at all this season.

Middleby said Culina was shattered about the developments of the past two weeks but determined to do all he could to continue his career in Newcastle.

��We�re going to see how these next four to six weeks go and reassess it,�� Middleby said. ��It still could be bad news if something�s got to happen after that, but at the moment we want to give him every opportunity to not prematurely end his season.

��We�re going to give him every opportunity to make sure we�ve ticked all boxes and made sure that we�ve done everything possible, from our point of view as a club then the next step is whatever it�s going to be after that.��

If Culina misses only the first four weeks, his earliest possible Jets debut would be against Perth at Ausgrid Stadium on November 5.

The Jets kick off their season against Melbourne Heart at Ausgrid on October 8.

They are scheduled to play four games next month and another four in November.

Culina was poised to make his first appearance in Newcastle colours in a trial against South Coast Wolves in Wollongong two weeks ago but was forced to withdraw because of a setback with his knee, which he had surgically repaired in February.

A series of scans and tests in the past two weeks have revealed no structural damage but, after consulting with Newcastle sports physician Neil Halpin and Melbourne-based orthopaedic specialist Julian Feller, Culina will proceed with a course of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections to expedite the healing process.

��Jason will not be doing any weight-bearing exercises for several weeks and has been advised to avoid any heavy impact on the knee,�� Middleby said.

Though he appreciated that Jets supporters were frustrated about the situation, Middleby said noone was more disappointed than Culina.

��We feel for our fans but we�re feeling for Jason because he is absolutely devastated at the moment,�� Middleby said. ��He knows what we�re building here, and he knows how competitive the team has been in pre-season, and he�s been desperate to be a part of that.

��I found it difficult to talk to him the other day because he�s been that shattered with what�s gone on, and how hard he and our medical staff have worked to get him to the point he was at.

��He�s been at PSV Eindhoven and in national teams, and he realises what we�ve got going here and what we�re doing for him is absolutely professional and exceptional.��

Middleby said midfielder Kasey Wehrman would make his first appearance since ankle surgery two months ago when the Jets play Sydney FC in a trial at Cessnock Sportsground on Saturday.

Crap news - even the Jest now have a chance to be better than us.

Yes.  Hugely disappointing.  Hope he's back early.

I read he gets full pay whether playing or not  (I mean, whether on the field or not  )

Goooooooooooooooooooooooone

http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/216506,jets-marquee-jason-culina-out-for-season.aspx

Bahahahahaha and indeed ha.

Do you have that in auto-text somewhere?

It was yesterdays 'phrase for the day'

BRANKO sacked.  Details to come.

http://www.newcastlejets.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=41234

Wayne Bennet to be interim manager.

Good job.

Newcastle Jets Statement
Tuesday, 4 October 2011

The Newcastle Jets has terminated the contract of coach Branko Culina, effective immediately, as well commencing the process of applying to the FFA to have the contract of Jason Culina set aside.

The moves follow the injury to Jason, which effectively rules him out of playing for the Jets in the foreseeable future.

Jets� Chief Executive Officer, Mr Robbie Middleby said, �The decision to terminate the contracts was made after a long deliberation by the Newcastle Jets� Advisory Board.�

�The Club believes that it is highly unlikely that Jason will return to the A-League in the near future, following medical advise,� he added.

The Club�s owner Mr Nathan Tinkler supports the position taken by the Jets� management team.

�Jason�s injury could mean the Jets are without their marquee player for up to three seasons � not a good result for the club, supporters, sponsors and players,� Mr Tinkler said.

�While I acknowledge the difficult timing of this announcement, I am confident in the character of the Jets� players and staff who will quickly put this matter behind them and enjoy a great season,� he concluded.

With the season just four days away, the players remain focused on the task that is Melbourne Heart this weekend.

�We thank Branko for his contribution to the Club and wish him all the best for the future,� captain Jobe Wheelhouse said.

�We are professional footballers and after our long pre-season it is important we remained focused on Saturday�s game.

�When faced with this type of adversity it can often spur players and the team on to greater performances.

�We are hopeful for a big turn out at Ausgrid Stadium, and our Members and can be assured that we will do Newcastle proud.�

http://www.newcastlejets.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=41234

If they cant get out of the contract, Tinkler might have to go on a diet to get enough money to pay him out.

Interesting one isn't it?

They will need a coach quick, odds on Merrick or McKinna? Ryan's Rovers2011-10-04 16:34:43

Why should the FFA bail them out of the Jason Culina Contract. They signed him without insurance for a pre existing contract. Make them pay the $3m over the 3 years I say. (Assume we had insurance for Pants!!)

Interesting question seeing as Dicky Knee is more famous for having a dicky knee than Culina is.

Huge call paying that amount for a player without insurance. Wow.

He was insured, just not for that knee.

Oh right. Still a bit of a gamble though.

Gary van Egmond

C-Diddy2011-10-04 17:28:42

Has the arse fallen out of the mining industry ?? he''s got more money than a bull can sh*t. i'm sure if he jumps up and down enough though...

Was an attempt at humour, maybe I should have just referenced Tinkler's horse racing connection

Bugger.... 2 of my pet hate's missing now.

My reaction really shouldn't be posted on the internet ...

Shouldn't really be laughing at players getting injured.

The club must think that something dodgy has gone on

My bet is the club wanted to cut the losses on jason and Branko threw a family loyalty related tanty... or they realised he's a bit crap.

I'm wondering if Branko  knew more about the injury when they signed his boy up than he let on. And shouldnt have agreed to sign him. And has been found out...

do they not do thorough medicals before signing players to rule the potential of such things out ??

Speculation.

Yep, glorious isnt it 

It's a shame Jason Culina won't be playing.
Seems a strange decision to dump your team's coach 3 days from the opening match.
They've had a wee while to get to this point.

I wonder who they will get to coach the Jets now?

And will they pay him more than the fifty bucks they were paying Branko?

Hot tip in Aus is Merrick but he's pretty settled in malbin.

You'd have to say the more you look at it the worse it gets from the club. 

Got to feel sorry for an injured player, but not a drop of sympathy for Branko after his 'why are Wellington in the league' comment when they were over here for the finals series. t**ser.

They could have easily tried to keep the seriousness of the injury undercover.

"the Phoenix shouldnt be in the A-League"... looks more like Branko shouldnt be in the A-League! What kind of name is Branko anyway? Its like Bruno but with more wank
AJ132011-10-05 14:25:58

Anyone know if the Jets asking the FFA to set Culina's contract aside, is them asking for it to be cancelled, or just that the pay off wont count as their aussie marquee slot for salary cap purposes?