Our Minds Are Still On The Job

Newcastle Herald

Wednesday October 29, 2008

JAMES GARDINER A-LEAGUE

JETS coach Gary van Egmond declared yesterday that contract negotiations were part and parcel of the game and was adamant it would not be a distraction for the A-League champions.

Speculation has been rife that the Jets will lose two of their biggest names and most influential figures in captain Jade North and midfielder Adam Griffiths at the end of the season.

North has been strongly linked to new club North Queensland, where the Socceroos defender would be the club's marquee player and indigenous ambassador.

Griffiths has reportedly agreed to terms on a two-year deal with fellow newcomers Gold Coast United.

Both players denied deals had been struck.

"I want to make it clear I have not signed anything with anyone," North told The Herald yesterday.

"I am off contract. There is always going to be a lot of talk.

"North Queensland are one of a number of clubs who have contacted me.

"I am not even thinking about that at the moment. I am just concentrating on what I have to do here."

North Queensland chairman Don Matheson confirmed their interest in the 27-year-old defender but said they had not gained his signature.

"If I had signed Jade, I would be up on the blocks telling everyone because that's what I think of him, but at the moment we haven't signed him it's as simple as that," Matheson said.

Griffiths gave a similar response in The Herald yesterday to reports that he had linked with the Gold Coast.

"I haven't signed anything, and I am just concentrating on playing for Newcastle," he said.

"I'm not doing anything until after Christmas, and I don't know where these people get their information from."

The Jets are also in talks with goalkeeper Ante Covic, who along with Griffiths and North heads a list of six players coming off contract.

Van Egmond would not comment on speculation but said it was inevitable that clubs would target the Jets' better players.

"It is going to happen at every club," he said.

"It is part and parcel of the game.

"If players get recognition after they have done well, it is obviously going to be harder for teams to keep their better players.

"That is the way the competition is structured.

"It is harder for us because we have the smallest budget."

North was accused of having his "head elsewhere" early in the season when linked to an overseas move that eventually fell through.

But van Egmond said he had no issue with either player despite the latest rumours.

"I can tell you now the attitude of the two boys is absolutely spot on," he said.

"They led the group this morning, which was indicative of how they have been all season.

"I can assure you the ones who speculation has surrounded are fully focused on doing as well as they can for Newcastle for the remainder of the season."

The coach also said doubts over North's future would not impact on his role as captain.

"I support him 100 per cent," he said

As well as their A-League defence, the Jets are planning their assault on the Asian Champions League, which begins in March.

With that in mind, they signed Mark Milligan last week and also brought in Ian Crook as a new high-performance manager.

North, Griffiths and Covic are contracted until June 30, which will ensure they are available for the group stage of the tournament, which ends in May.

© 2008 Newcastle Herald

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