Take a trip back to August 2020, when a then 19-year-old Noah James made his debut in the Isuzu UTE A-League.
On that memorable day, the young goalkeeper kept a clean sheet, aiding the Newcastle Jets in a resounding 3-0 victory over Wellington Phoenix.
Since that initial outing, James has had to show considerable patience, waiting until Saturday evening for another opportunity in the A-Leagues.
Inserted into the starting line-up in place of first-choice keeper Ryan Scott, the now 23-year-old emerged from obscurity to deliver a standout performance, playing a pivotal role in Newcastle’s surprising 3-0 triumph against the high-flying Melbourne Victory.
Although Scott found himself on the bench as coach Rob Stanton made the change, he was quick to congratulate James after the match at McDonald Jones Stadium.
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“We’re the best of mates,” James shared with Network 10 post-match after Newcastle celebrated their first home win of the season, and their first since April 2024.
“It makes coming into work and training with your best mate all the better.”
“I was supporting him at the start of the year, and now he’s supporting me.”
It’s been quite the wait for the Novocastrian.
Having been with the Jets since he was 12, James has had various loan spells in the NPL to gain much-needed senior experience.
On Saturday, those experiences paid dividends.
“I sent him to the NPL last season just so he could play; he hadn’t seen enough game time,” Stanton explained to reporters after the Round 18 match.
“He needed that exposure in a men’s team to accelerate his development.”
“I watched him several times, and upon his return, I could see he had stepped up his game.”
“He’s been incredibly patient. Noah has created healthy competition and pressure for Scotty, and I believe Scotty will come back stronger, while Noah is also set to continue his growth. It’s an exciting time for us.”
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Stanton, whose Jets halted a four-match winless streak, remarked: “It’s fantastic for him to have this experience under his belt. Regardless of today’s outcome, I never doubted his capabilities.”
“I put him in there, and he has made significant strides forward. A calculated risk, but one born from trust in himself and from his teammates.”
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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