Having fallen out of favour at Sydney FC, experienced defender Alex Grant has well and truly fallen on his feet at the A-League’s “top dogs” Newcastle.
Grant has signed a one-year deal with the Jets after being released from his Sky Blues contract.
A mainstay under former Sydney coach Ufuk Talay, the 32-year-old centre-back didn’t play at all in the final two months of the Sky Blues’ 2025-26 campaign after Patrick Kisnorbo took over from Talay.
With Kisnorbo preferring younger central defenders Alex Popovic and Jordan Courtney-Perkins, Grant was keen for a move and was delighted when Jets coach Mark Milligan came knocking.
“I want to play,” Grant said ahead of his expected Jets debut in Tuesday night’s Australia Cup round-of-32 clash against NPL Victoria club Preston at Genis Steel Stadium.
“I’ve come here to play and fight for my spot. You see now in the A-League a lot of young boys getting opportunities, and it’s getting a bit harder for us old blokes – not that I’m old yet.
“I just want to give everything I can for Newcastle.”
And while conceding Sydney was the A-League’s “most decorated team”, Grant was thrilled to have joined a club that won last season’s Australia Cup and Premier’s Plate and this season will play in the AFC Champions League Elite competition.
“Newcastle, you would say, are the top dogs at the moment,” he said.
“Auckland took out the A-League (championship), but in my opinion, winning the Premier’s Plate is more important in terms of how the season goes.
“You play more games in (the regular season), and the finals are anyone’s for the taking.”
Grant’s previous experience in Champions League football with Perth Glory and Korean club Pohang Steelers was a key factor in Milligan wanting to bring him to Newcastle.
“He’s a wonderful fit for us,” Milligan said of Grant.
“The goal for us was always to add a little bit more experience because of Asia. At times we’re definitely going to have to split the squad, and he ticks all the boxes for us.
“He’s fantastic on the ball, he’s played all across Asia as well, and he’s won things. He’ll help to guide this young team.”
Despite Grant having only trained twice with the Jets, Milligan won’t hesitate to use him on Tuesday night.
“We’re fortunate because he’s been back in pre-season (with Sydney). He’s been training, so in terms of the physical side of things, he’s been able to slot straight in,” the Jets coach said.
Grant’s former club in also in Australia Cup round-of-32 action on Tuesday night, with the Sky Blues travelling to Perth to meet NPL WA club Bayswater City at Frank Drago Reserve.
In Tuesday’s other Cup games, Perth Glory meets NPL Queensland outfit Lions FC at Spencer Park, and South Australian team Cumberland United hosts Victorian side Heidelberg United in an all-NPL battle.
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