To see today's Grand Final photo shoot with the Jets and Mariners...

The burly Brazilian legend joined the Jets at the start of the season as a gamble that he could recover the kind of form that earned him Europe's Golden Boot.

But the bet was an expensive failure for the side.

Years of booze and alleged drugs had taken their toll on the one-time hero. Jardel never played a full game, never scored - and caused ructions behind the scenes.

His team-mates had no confidence in him and Jets coach Gary Van Egmond didn't want him in the side but he was under pressure from the team's owners to play him.

And the biggest return they got from their investment in Jardel came when he was finally kicked out of the squad.

After seeing their finals campaign look like it would be derailed, Jardel was told he was no longer required - and the Jets' hopes were revived.

But Jardel refused to go easily.

"Jardel was such a great guy, it was a bit unfortunate that he was past his best," admitted Newcastle skipper Jade North today.

"He knew that and he wanted to stay and help the team, whether it was in training or in the games, he was going to stay and help us.

"Credit to him, he stuck in there and gave it all he could but just physically he couldn't keep up with it."

He added: "There was a few things that happened with him - Gary didn't want to play him at one stage and what not - but those things got resolved pretty quickly.

"We just had to battle on like we did throughout the season and keep our heads up...and look where we are now."

To see today's Grand Final photo shoot with the Jets and Mariners...