Latest news with #JackDuncan
News.com.au
3 days ago
- General
- News.com.au
Jack Duncan ‘proud' of himself despite Melbourne Victory's grand final loss
The A-League grand final was a bittersweet experience for Melbourne Victory goalkeeper Jack Duncan. While disappointed that his side was beaten 1-0 by crosstown rivals Melbourne City, Duncan was thrilled to play in the decider at AAMI Park after the devastation of being dropped in January to make way for returning former Socceroos gloveman Mitch Langerak. 'That was one of the lowest points of my whole career because I felt like I was at a real strong point in my own form, but I understood that the results weren't coming and we needed to change something, and that was something that they could change, and decided to do that,' Duncan said. The former Newcastle Jets and Wellington Phoenix custodian knew the situation last year when he signed with the Victory – he was keeping the goalkeeper's spot for Langerak until the latter's return to the club in January after 14 years abroad. 'At the start of the (season), I was playing every game, and then obviously, when Mitch came in, the coach (Arthur Diles) made a decision to change,' Duncan said. However, Duncan kept working hard and got an unexpected opportunity in late April when Langerak injured his foot. It resulted in Duncan starting in the Victory's final six games of the club's 2024-25 campaign, including Saturday night's competition decider. 'Football has a funny way of coming back around, and I just worked every day to be there if the opportunity came again, and it thankfully did, for my own sake, and I was able to experience incredible nights like (the grand final). 'It's been a tough season in some aspects, but in others, an incredibly rewarding season. 'I am proud of the season I've had.' He was also proud of his Victory teammates for their grand final performance. 'The boys left everything out on the pitch. You could see the effort, the intent from minute one to the last kick of the game, but unfortunately in finals games, small margins determine the result, and unfortunately for us, Melbourne City won those margins,' Duncan said. 'We had a really good season to be here on the final day, and unfortunately we just fell short.' Duncan revealed that his effort of 19 games this season was enough to trigger a contract extension with the Victory. 'We'll see how the off-season unfolds. I've loved every minute of my time at the club so far, the fans have been unbelievable towards me,' he said. 'The noise when I went out to warm up (for the grand final) was something that will stay with me for forever. 'It was an incredible experience, and I can't thank them enough for how they've treated me, and the support that they gave me and all the boys throughout the year. It was really special.'
News.com.au
26-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Melbourne Victory star Nishan Velupillay in doubt for A-League grand final
Melbourne Victory are sweating on the fitness of Socceroos attacker Nishan Velupillay ahead of Saturday night's A-League grand final against Melbourne City at AAMI Park. Having suffered a lower leg injury in the Victory's semi-final weekend win over Auckland FC, Velupillay was seen near the club's headquarters on Monday on crutches and with a moon boot on his right leg. Sources close to the Victory say that club officials are remaining hopeful that Velupillay will recover in time for Saturday's all-Victorian decider after being extremely worried after he suffered the injury in the closing stages of the first-half in his side's 2-0 semi-final second leg win at Go Media Stadium. Velupillay finished the half limping but didn't reappear after half-time. Despite his absence, the Victory scored twice in the second-half to secure an overall 2-1 win on aggregate after losing the first-leg 1-0. His injury came a week after experienced Victory defender Brendan Hamill ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee in his side's first-leg loss at AAMI Park. The Victory are also expected to again be without first-choice goalkeeper Mitch Langerak, who has a foot injury and hasn't played since the team's 2-0 loss to Auckland on April 19. Former Newcastle Jets, Perth Glory and Wellington Phoenix custodian Jack Duncan has deputised for 36-year-old Langerak in the Victory's past five matches, and also played in the club's first 13 games of the season before being replaced by the former Socceroos gloveman, who returned to the Melbourne outfit in January after 14 years abroad.
The Advertiser
23-05-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Unlikely potential hero ready to save Victory's season
Jack Duncan knew he was joining Melbourne Victory as a back-up goalkeeper. A journeyman who spent most of his career at Newcastle between stints overseas, the 32-year-old didn't play a game as Alex Paulsen's deputy at Wellington last year. But on Saturday Duncan and Paulsen, on loan at Auckland FC from Bournemouth, will start at different ends of the pitch. "It's been a strange season for myself, being in and out of the team, but I think when I've been in, I've played well and performed well," Duncan said. "It's been a good season in that aspect; loved every minute of it." Duncan played the first 13 matches of the A-League Men season, knowing former Socceroo Mitch Langerak was arriving in January. But he was always ready, and after Langerak suffered a foot injury, Duncan has played the past four games. "When I signed, I knew the situation with Mitch coming in in January - that was clear to me," he said. "I thought, at the start of the season, just to give myself the best opportunity to make the coaches' decision as hard as possible." Duncan was benched midway through January, but got back to work. "I was disappointed, as all footballers would be in that situation, but I just tried to keep my head down, working hard, be a good teammate, be good around the dressing room, and play my role in that aspect," he said. "Because you never know when the opportunity is going to come again - like it has. "Hopefully I can contribute moving forward (this) week and hopefully in the grand final." Duncan is ready to step up in front of a hostile Auckland crowd as Victory attempt to overturn a 1-0 deficit in Saturday's semi-final second leg at Go Media Stadium. "It was pretty hostile (against Western Sydney) as well, but we went there and we got a really good result, so that gives us full confidence to go over to Auckland," he said. "We'll be right up for it." Victory coach Arthur Diles never doubted Duncan could step up. "He's an incredible human being, first and foremost," he said. "As a goalkeeper, he's very talented. He's had a great year for us, he really has. "Even the times where he wasn't playing, he's made Mitch a better keeper as well, and he's pushed him along day to day. You can't ask for any more than that. "It's just nice to see him doing really well, and nice to see him playing at the level we knew he could play when we signed him. "We believed in him from day one." Jack Duncan knew he was joining Melbourne Victory as a back-up goalkeeper. A journeyman who spent most of his career at Newcastle between stints overseas, the 32-year-old didn't play a game as Alex Paulsen's deputy at Wellington last year. But on Saturday Duncan and Paulsen, on loan at Auckland FC from Bournemouth, will start at different ends of the pitch. "It's been a strange season for myself, being in and out of the team, but I think when I've been in, I've played well and performed well," Duncan said. "It's been a good season in that aspect; loved every minute of it." Duncan played the first 13 matches of the A-League Men season, knowing former Socceroo Mitch Langerak was arriving in January. But he was always ready, and after Langerak suffered a foot injury, Duncan has played the past four games. "When I signed, I knew the situation with Mitch coming in in January - that was clear to me," he said. "I thought, at the start of the season, just to give myself the best opportunity to make the coaches' decision as hard as possible." Duncan was benched midway through January, but got back to work. "I was disappointed, as all footballers would be in that situation, but I just tried to keep my head down, working hard, be a good teammate, be good around the dressing room, and play my role in that aspect," he said. "Because you never know when the opportunity is going to come again - like it has. "Hopefully I can contribute moving forward (this) week and hopefully in the grand final." Duncan is ready to step up in front of a hostile Auckland crowd as Victory attempt to overturn a 1-0 deficit in Saturday's semi-final second leg at Go Media Stadium. "It was pretty hostile (against Western Sydney) as well, but we went there and we got a really good result, so that gives us full confidence to go over to Auckland," he said. "We'll be right up for it." Victory coach Arthur Diles never doubted Duncan could step up. "He's an incredible human being, first and foremost," he said. "As a goalkeeper, he's very talented. He's had a great year for us, he really has. "Even the times where he wasn't playing, he's made Mitch a better keeper as well, and he's pushed him along day to day. You can't ask for any more than that. "It's just nice to see him doing really well, and nice to see him playing at the level we knew he could play when we signed him. "We believed in him from day one." Jack Duncan knew he was joining Melbourne Victory as a back-up goalkeeper. A journeyman who spent most of his career at Newcastle between stints overseas, the 32-year-old didn't play a game as Alex Paulsen's deputy at Wellington last year. But on Saturday Duncan and Paulsen, on loan at Auckland FC from Bournemouth, will start at different ends of the pitch. "It's been a strange season for myself, being in and out of the team, but I think when I've been in, I've played well and performed well," Duncan said. "It's been a good season in that aspect; loved every minute of it." Duncan played the first 13 matches of the A-League Men season, knowing former Socceroo Mitch Langerak was arriving in January. But he was always ready, and after Langerak suffered a foot injury, Duncan has played the past four games. "When I signed, I knew the situation with Mitch coming in in January - that was clear to me," he said. "I thought, at the start of the season, just to give myself the best opportunity to make the coaches' decision as hard as possible." Duncan was benched midway through January, but got back to work. "I was disappointed, as all footballers would be in that situation, but I just tried to keep my head down, working hard, be a good teammate, be good around the dressing room, and play my role in that aspect," he said. "Because you never know when the opportunity is going to come again - like it has. "Hopefully I can contribute moving forward (this) week and hopefully in the grand final." Duncan is ready to step up in front of a hostile Auckland crowd as Victory attempt to overturn a 1-0 deficit in Saturday's semi-final second leg at Go Media Stadium. "It was pretty hostile (against Western Sydney) as well, but we went there and we got a really good result, so that gives us full confidence to go over to Auckland," he said. "We'll be right up for it." Victory coach Arthur Diles never doubted Duncan could step up. "He's an incredible human being, first and foremost," he said. "As a goalkeeper, he's very talented. He's had a great year for us, he really has. "Even the times where he wasn't playing, he's made Mitch a better keeper as well, and he's pushed him along day to day. You can't ask for any more than that. "It's just nice to see him doing really well, and nice to see him playing at the level we knew he could play when we signed him. "We believed in him from day one."
RNZ News
22-05-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
A-League: Keeper v keeper as former teammates face off
Goalkeepers Jack Duncan and Alex Paulsen Photo: Photosport For back-to-back A-League seasons Alex Paulsen has been the best goalkeeper in the competition and someone who has had a close-up look at his rise will be at the opposite end of the park on Saturday when Auckland FC meet Melbourne Victory in the second semi-final in Auckland. Last season Paulsen was the number one keeper at the Wellington Phoenix, keeping the experienced Jack Duncan on the bench. Paulsen had a breakout season playing every minute of Wellington's 2023-24 A-League campaign after being limited to just five first team appearances in his first two years as a professional. He kept a club record 12 clean sheets and picked up just about every award on offer, giving Duncan no real chance of taking the gloves off the young gun. Paulsen and Duncan both left the Phoenix after the conclusion of the 2023-24 season and went in very different directions. In June 2024 Paulsen signed a deal with English Premier League club Bournemouth. Only to find himself loaned back to A-League newcomers Auckland FC for this season as both clubs have the same owner. Duncan exited Wellington for Melbourne Victory - his fourth different A-League club since 2011. Again this season Paulsen has played every minute of his side's A-League games, whereas Duncan has been in and out of the Victory side. Duncan played the first 13 matches of the season before getting benched and injured as he shared keeping duties with Mitch Langerak. A foot injury to former Socceroo Langerak has given the gloves back to Duncan for Victory's last four games - including the Elimination Final and first semi-final. In the first semi-final Paulsen and Duncan went head-to-head in Melbourne and the Auckland gloveman came out on top. Melbourne Victory's Jack Duncan clears. Photo: Shane Wenzlick / Auckland got one goal past Duncan in the first semi-final, and were unlucky not to get a second, but Paulsen has kept Victory's attacking threats out for more than 270 minutes of football across three meetings so far this season. Auckland defender Tommy Smith has a lot of praise for his fellow All White. "He's probably the best goalkeeper in the league, he's done it two years on the trot now and he's such a calming influence on us knowing that he's that last line of defence if we do get beaten. He's come up with some massive saves this season and we know the value to us that he brings and we're very happy with him," Smith said. Smith also has empathy for the player stuck behind Paulsen this season - Michael Woud. "He's acquitted himself so well, because he probably signed for the club thinking he'd be the number one and in training every single week he's pushing [Paulsen] which is getting both himself and [Paulsen] better and better week in week out." Despite all of his accolades, Paulsen said last season was sometimes a struggle for him. He believes his mental strength is better for it this season and he is also enjoying the challenge and support of the other Auckland FC goalkeepers. "[The back-up goalkeepers] have been big characters within our team as well even in games Mike is always giving me tips and tricks... if I can't figure something out he's always got something to help me out I appreciate that so much from him as well because at the same time it's a team effort just not the whole team but the goalkeeping union as well." Auckland FC's Alex Paulsen. Photo: Shane Wenzlick / Duncan is familiar with being the back-up. It is a position the 32-year-old had to fill earlier in his career, including being behind former All White Glen Moss at Newcastle Jets, and again had to accept when Langerak re-joined Victory in January after 14 years playing overseas. A strong A-League pre-season this season set Duncan up to be the go-to guy between the posts when Victory needed him. "Having missed all of last season, pretty much being behind Alex Paulsen at Wellington, it was good for me to get that leading into the season that run of form in the Australia cup, and I just tried to keep that going. "When Mitch came in, I thought at the start of the season, I just had to give myself the best opportunity to make the coach's decision as hard as possible. "And unfortunately, from a team perspective, we weren't quite picking up results at that time, so I understood that a change had to be made. I was disappointed, as all footballers would be in that situation, but I just tried to keep my head down, working hard be a good teammate, be good around the dressing room, and play my role in that aspect, because you never know when the opportunity is going to come again, and like it has, Mitch has got an injury, and it's time for me to be playing again, and hopefully I can contribute moving forward [on Saturday in Auckland] and hopefully in the grand final as well." Both Paulsen and Duncan could be in the spotlight if the second semi-final goes to penalties. "As a keeper, some people think that all the pressures on you, but I look at it the opposite way, all the pressures on them to score. So if it comes to it, I'll be doing a lot of preparation. I did a lot for last week's game, which I've had a lot of confidence if it did go to penalties, and I'll be doing the same again this week to put myself in the best position to step up for the team, for pride," Duncan said. 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1News
17-05-2025
- Sport
- 1News
A-League: What to know as Auckland FC take on Melbourne Victory
Squad lists, team news and predictions for tonight's first leg clash in Melbourne - here's everything you need to know. Melbourne Victory v Auckland FC Kick-off: 9.35pm Saturday, 16 May (NZT) AAMI Park, Melbourne Auckland FC's trophy cabinet has barely had time to gather dust and the Black Knights are already beginning their quest to give a lonely Premier's Plate some company. They play the first of their A-League Finals Series semi-final shootouts this weekend, looking to take a strong advantage into next week's second leg at Mount Smart. It's already a remarkable achievement for the freshman outfit but standing in their way are one of the league's powerhouses, Melbourne Victory, who know how to stifle Kiwi dreams at this stage of the competition. Steve Corica's men have had a hefty break following their final day 4-2 reverse at Western United and the result is a fully fit and firing squad ready to head across the ditch and pull off a result on Saturday night. The formation Corica decides upon will be interesting. A three-man defensive unit with wing-backs was deployed the last time these teams duked it out, with Auckland coming out victorious by two-goals-to-nil. Auckland will no doubt have a similar system readily available if Corica and co deem it necessary. Goalkeepers: Alex Paulsen, Michael Woud; Defenders: Hiroki Sakai ©, Nando Pijnaker, Dan Hall, Tommy Smith, Francis de Vries, Callan Elliot; Midfielders: Louis Verstraete, Cameron Howieson, Luis Toomey, Jake Brimmer, Felipe Gallegos; Attackers: Max Mata, Guillermo May, Jesse Randall, Logan Rogerson, Neyder Moreno, Marlee Francois, Liam Gillion. As for the Victory, they harbour just the one new injury concern from their Elimination Series triumph over Western Sydney Wanderers, with Adama Traore sidelined. However, a returning Rene Piscopo will give Arthur Diles much needed attacking impetus. Mitch Langerak remains in the treatment room, with Jack Duncan set to feature in his place. Duncan was in the Wellington Phoenix side that earned a 0-0 draw at this stage last season, before being gunned down at Sky Stadium the following week. Auckland FC would no doubt take a similar result at AAMI Park, but will be desperate to avoid a similar overall fate. Goalkeepers: Jack Duncan, Daniel Graskoski; Defenders: Lachlan Jackson, Brendan Hamill, Roderick Miranda, Joshua Inserra, Joshua Rawlins, Kasey Bos; Midfielders: Ryan Teague, Zinedine Machach, Jordi Valadon, Fabian Monge, Reno Piscopo; Forwards: Daniel Arzani, Nikolaos Vergos, Bruno Fornaroli, Clerismario Santos Rodrigues, Nishan Velupillay, Jing Reec, Alexander Badolato. Auckland players celebrate their 2-0 win with their players celebrate their 2-0 win with their fans. Photo: Con Chronis / Photosport April 19, 2025 Melbourne Victory 0-2 Auckland January 1, 2025 Auckland 0-0 Melbourne Victory Just the two previous meetings between these two sides and Auckland have yet to concede a goal against their weekend opponents. That's good going considering the array of attacking talent on hand for the home side, and something Auckland will look to continue this weekend. How do you even begin to predict this? Auckland have the upper hand over Victory so far but as their head coach Diles pointed out this week the finals are a different beast. It's a different pressure, higher stakes and following a loss and two-week break, who knows how Auckland will be impacted? In saying that, you can only go by history and, so far, Auckland have managed to get the better of Victory by shutting them out with relative ease. If they can do that again this weekend, but snatch a goal as well, then a final spot might be in sight. Melbourne Victory 0-1 Auckland FC By Mathew Nash of
