Jones bemoans Hoffman's red card following Jets loss

Michael Huguenin

Jones bemoans Hoffman's red card following Jets loss image

Newcastle Jets coach Mark Jones can't wait for the introduction of Video Assistant Referees (VARs) in the A-League after he and Jason Hoffman were sent off against Brisbane Roar.

Hoffman received two yellow cards in as many minutes to be sent off just past the half-hour mark on Sunday and Jones followed him into the stands for protesting the decision by referee Jarred Gillett.

Newcastle led 1-0 when Hoffman was dismissed but couldn't hold on against Roar, who triumphed 3-1 at McDonald Jones Stadium - a very damaging blow to the Jets' hopes of qualifying for the A-League finals.

Football Federation Australia is set to introduce VARs into the A-League for the final two rounds of the regular season and the finals.

Video replays will be used to check goals, penalty claims and red cards.

"I hope [the introduction of VARs] is in sooner rather than later because they are the sorts of decisions that can be reviewed and hopefully corrected," Jones was quoted as saying by the Newcastle Herald following Sunday's match.

Maclaren thrilled with Roar response

Jones added that he felt Hoffman's second yellow card, which was issued when he blocked the run of Arana, didn't deserve a caution.

The Jets full-back's first yellow came after he threw the ball away.

It all went downhill for the Hunter outfit after Hoffman's night ended early, with Jamie Maclaren scoring a brace and Nick D'Agostino opening his A-League account to secure victory for Brisbane.

Newcastle Jets 1 Brisbane Roar 3

"It was a disappointing game. We started well, went 1-0 up but obviously when the red card, things changed," Jets defender Daniel Mullen told Fox Sports.

"But still that's no excuse. We weren't good enough on the ball and we let them have too much [of the ball] and in the end it was only a matter of time before they got a goal." 

Mullen refused to criticise Gillett. 

"They have a job to do. I'm not questioning if it was right or wrong call. As players we just have to get on with the job," he said. 

The Jets' next match is away to Melbourne City on March 18 as part of the upcoming split round.

Newcastle haven't won in five A-League matches.

 

Michael Huguenin