Jets Superfan earns trip to Japan for AFC Champions League Elite Match
The Newcastle Jets are gearing up for their second AFC Champions League Elite match this Tuesday, 13 October, and later this month, just under two dozen fans who won tickets to see them play Kyoto Sanga overseas will land with the team in Japan. One of those Jets superfans is Lincoln Pordage.
Last year, Mr Pordage was among a small group of supporters who made the trip across to Auckland and stood in the pouring rain for 90 minutes for no other reason than to cheer on his boyhood club. "It was nice and sunny for the first two to three days, then we get to the game and it is an absolute torrential downpour," the lifelong supporter said, reflecting on the match.
"It's flooding and the streets are just sort of knee-deep in water at some points." Going into the game on Sunday 30 November 2025, the hype from the Australia Cup win had worn off, and after three straight losses, it was looking like the season could continue on a downward trajectory for the Jets. Despite a rain-soaked stadium, Newcastle claimed a 2-1 victory to hand Auckland their first regular-season home defeat in 11 months.
This moment sparked the Jets' turnaround into success. Newcastle leapt off the foot of the ALM ladder with a gutsy win in the wet over Auckland.
(Andrew Cornaga/AAP PHOTOS) "During that Aus Cup run, not missing a single minute of it, I realised that we sort of had something brewing," Mr Pordage said. "Despite the first, I think it was about three, four weeks of the season, I just decided, you know what, I reckon this could kickstart something and well, here we are, Premier's Plate and Aus Cup and Asian Champions League of League now." Recognising the Jets faithful followers for going above and beyond, Senix decided to reward them with a free return flight to see Kyoto Sanga on October 27 in Japan.
"It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that you really can't say no to," Mr Pordage said. The loyal Jets fan went on to say he's looking forward to seeing some high-intensity football.
"The atmosphere is going to be insane," Mr Pordage said. "You know, they have an average of 20,000 to 30,000, 40,000 people there.
They're non-stop for 90 minutes," "Going over to Asia, as much of a club we are, it'll for sure be a bit of an eye-opener." This time around though, Mr Pordage will be bringing a raincoat, just in case.