In his latest column Craig Foster looked back on his top five moments of 2009, and then made his 2010 wish list for Australian Football going forward.

Gleaning inspiration from Fozzy, I thought I'd do something similar, reminiscing on the final year of the noughties and putting proverbial pen to paper my hopes for Newcastle Jets as they enter their second decade as a franchise.

Five Favourite Flashbacks of 2009

1. Jets in Asia

In Australia it seems every man and his dog has an opinion on A-League clubs competing in the ACL. But anyone who knows football knows we must play here in order to grow with the Asian goliaths. Simply put, this was my highlight of 2009 and hey, at least we can say we were beaten (soundly!) by the eventual Champions.

 2. Getting the better of Gold Coast

For all the PR surrounding their potential to go their maiden season undefeated, it was still sweet to claim the mantle of being the first team to defeat GCU in the Hyundai A-League. To make it better, youngster Sean Rooney scored a cracker as the side clinched the round 4 1-0 win.

3. Tying up talent

While it was disappointing to see some favourite sons leave, it must be remembered that this year we also retained some of our brightest young talents. Tarek Elrich, Labinot Haliti, Sean Rooney and Marko Jesic all extended their deals and in these four players, you know you've got some quality from which to help build a competitive outfit.  

4. Welcome, Mr Bridges

While he's currently recovering from a hamstring injury, Michael Bridges has been a revelation since joining the Jets as a free agent. His best is undoubtedly behind him, but there's more than enough running and guile left in this 31 year old's legs to suggest his two year tenure at the Jets will be a prosperous one.

5. Goals for the memory bank

Sean Rooney's strikes against Beijing Guoan (ACL) and Gold Coast United (rd 4), and Jobe Wheelhouse's cracker against Gold Coast United (rd 18) ensured fans at EnergyAustralia Stadium were treated to some never forget moments in 2009. And each time a stunning effort hit the back of the net, we claimed three points too.

Top Five Fantasies for 2010

1. Matching Melbourne: Claiming a Second Crown

It's an obvious one but the main hope for Newcastle Jets in the early months of 2010 is to claim a second title. Five from six was title winning form but our next up effort against Melbourne should go some way to defining whether we're a chance for the silverware after both us and them suffered disappointing Christmas weekend wipeouts in Perth and Townsville respectively. Would mean qualification for the Holy Grail that is Asia, too.

2. NYL players graduate

While the biggest clubs in the world sign the world's best, they also usually have a player a season who graduates through their youth ranks. Hopefully, one or more of our home grown youngsters can make the jump to A-League level in 2010. My picks? Scott Balderson in 2010, and James Virgili a year later.  

3. Champagne Football, Champagne Players

In our title winning season we played some scintillating stuff. There have been signs that under Branko Culina we're capable of the same, but it seems Branko still needs an off season to put an XI of his choosing together. A-League V6 might see the Newcastle Jets engine working in perfect unison and harmony.  

4. Bums on seats

An average of 6,000 attendants this season is, well, average. My hope is that by this time next year we're enjoying 15,000+ crowds on a regular basis and an atmosphere reminiscent of the grandest EAS nights.    

 5. Return of Nick Carle

Pim Verbeek has been clear that places in his World Cup Squad will be for players playing. So, with Carle struggling for game time at Crystal Palace under Neil Warnock, is it possible to do a 2 ½ -month loan deal with the London-based club? It'd help our finals/title push, and give Carle the chance to push his claims against other A-League players hoping for a boarding pass. Then he can return to battling it out for a spot at Selhurst Park.   

Thanks to anyone who read and commented on my blogs in 2009. I hope you had a great year and enjoy a prosperous 2010.