Newcastle Jets boss Mark Milligan has vowed to make sure his side goes one further next season after a gripping penalty shootout defeat to Sydney FC in the A-League semi final second leg on Saturday night.
His side was gunning for an unprecedented Australia Cup, Premiership and Championship treble, but in the end, were edged by the fifth placed finisher in the league this season.
Both Milligan and Max Burgess spoke with a great sense of perspective in the immediate aftermath of the disappointment of being eliminated – although the former Socceroos skipper did reveal one area he immediately knows he needs to look into next season.
When asked on Paramount if there’s anything he thinks he could have changed in the two-leg semi, he replied: “Yeah, the week off!
“I would’ve liked not to have a week off – that’s something I need to look at. All year after the international breaks we weren’t at our best.
“But tonight from the very first moment we showed our intent and Sydney were very resilient.”
Having surprised everyone with an endearing young side, Milligan looked at the bigger picture immediately after the defeat.
“It is never nice losing, especially that way.
“I thought Sydney were fantastic over two legs.
“We gave as good as we got. Probably a bit unlucky…
“This group of players has been outstanding. Everything I’ve asked for them – and believe me we’ve pushed them to their limits and they respond every time.
“I’ll be doing everything in my power to make sure we don’t finish like this next year.”
He continued: “We don’t want this to be the end we want this to be the beginning.”
Captain Max Burgess, who was hugely influential in this contest against his former club, struck a similar tune.
“I think the overriding emotion is pride, so proud of this growth, what we’ve done this season, togetherness in the group and to bring the community together,” he said on Paramount.
“We’ve had so many amazing memories, football can be cruel at times but so incredibly proud.”
He concluded: “It is hard to right in this moment, we were eyeing the treble, we are an ambitious group – it is hard to reflect in this moment. It has been an amazing year but it is a bit deflating now.”