North wary of Jones as Roar ready for Jets
Oct 10, 2016 - 2:35 AM Old friendships will go on the backburner when Brisbane stalwart Jade North is reunited with Mark Jones in Newcastle this weekend.No one in the Roar camp knows the Jets' new man in charge better than North, who won his only A-League championship in the Hunter when Jones was assistant coach under Gary van Egmond.
North watched the unfancied outfit hold reigning champions Adelaide United to an opening-round draw.
And when John Aloisi's never-say-die team travel to Newcastle on Sunday, the 34-year-old defender won't be underestimating the challenge.
"Jonesy will put a lot of steel into the club," North said.
"He was a big part of us winning the championship back in 2008 and I've got a lot of respect for him.
"We've just got to be very wary of them because he's a smart guy and knows his football.
"I love Newcastle - I was born down that way so I've got a lot of time for them.
"But they're my enemy this week."
Brisbane are bristling with confidence on the back of Friday night's unlikely 1-1 draw with Melbourne Victory at Suncorp Stadium.
The 10-man Roar were up to their usual last-gap heroics with defender Luke DeVere netting a stunner in stoppage-time to snatch a point in his first match back from an 18-month injury lay-off.
North joked the team planned to keep DeVere fresh in the freezer for the week.
"It's like he just played yesterday," he said.
"He's that good of a talent and centre-back. We're just glad to have him back."
Vice-captain North appears likely to wear the armband in the absence of suspended skipper Matt McKay, who was given his marching orders against Victory after a second yellow card.
The reliable midfielder will be missed, but Aloisi will put faith in replacement Jacob Pepper to do the job.
Source: AAP
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