WATCH: Jets overcome Avondale comeback to book Hahn Australia Cup Final

Avondale tried to hit back quickly through Stefan Valentini and Manyluak Aguek, but neither could find the target. Newcastle punished them again soon after. In the 15th minute, Burgess slipped Daniel Wilmering into space down the left. His measured cross was attacked with intent by Kota Mizunuma, who powered home a header from close range to double the Jets’ advantage.
 

Avondale’s response came through Luca Tevere on the half-hour mark. A flick-on from Aguek dropped perfectly at the midfielder’s feet on the edge of the area, and he made no mistake, curling a stunning effort into the top corner to halve the deficit. The home crowd roared back to life as Avondale trailed 2-1.
 

The hosts pushed before the break, but James Delianov stood firm in the Jets’ goal, twice denying Aguek to preserve Newcastle’s lead heading into half-time.

Avondale came out firing after the restart. Kur Kur replaced Stefan Zinni, and the change almost sparked an instant impact. Just minutes into the second half, Valentini drove into the box and squared to Tevere, who this time rattled the crossbar from close range.

Their pressure finally told in the 57th minute. Kristian Trajceski surged into the box and was dragged down by Wilmering, earning a penalty. Tevere stepped up with confidence, sending Delianov the wrong way to make amends for his earlier miss and draw Avondale level at 2-2.
 

Mark Milligan quickly turned to his bench to steady the Jets, bringing on Will Dobson and Eli Adams for Bertoncello and Lachie Rose. The changes proved decisive.

With the game finely balanced, both coaches made further substitutions in the 72nd minute. George Ott and Cian Cuba came on for Avondale in place of Aguek and Valentini, while Mizunuma made way for Oscar Fryer.

Just two minutes later, Newcastle struck again. Adams picked up the ball on the right, dazzled with a few stepovers, then waltzed into the box. He shifted onto his left and drove a low shot into the bottom corner to restore the Jets’ lead at 3-2, punishing some soft Avondale defending.
 

Avondale threw on Jackson Courtney-Perkins for Trajceski with 10 minutes left in search of another equaliser. The Jets countered by replacing Burgess with Nunes for the final stretch, determined to protect their advantage. In the dying moments, Nunes combined with Adams and Alexander Badolato, finishing smartly to make it 4-2 and put the result beyond doubt.
 

Newcastle’s defence absorbed the late pressure and saw out the contest, clinching a memorable victory and reaching the Hahn Australia Cup Final for the first time in their history. The Jets will meet Heidelberg in the decider, with full match details to come.