TORN APART: Jaliens, Griffiths, three other Jets players sacked

The Newcastle Jets have sacked captain Kew Jaliens, former grand final hero Joel Griffiths and three other senior players.

The club announced in a statement late on Wednesday night that the contracts of Jaliens and former Socceroos Griffiths, David Carney, Billy Celeski and Adrian Madaschi had been terminated.

All were off contract at the end of the season bar Carney, who the Jets said had been axed for disciplinary reasons.

‘‘These decisions were made in the best interest of the playing group and to improve the club culture for the young players who we believe are the future of the Jets,’’ owner Nathan Tinker said in the statement.

The Professional Footballers Australia player union told the Newcastle Herald on Wednesday night that a club could not terminate a player’s contract unless it had adhered to workplace protocols.

None of the players have been notified in writing of their dismissal and the reasons for it.

The move to offload the senior players came hours after the sacking of assistant coach Clayton Zane, goalkeeping mentor Neil Young and trainer Andrew Packer.

It is understood the leading players, who have sought legal advice, were leading the push for coach Phil Stubbins to be removed. 

They were initially approached by Stubbins on Wednesday with offers to have their contracts paid out.

Any payouts to players would be included in the Jets’ salary cap.

Wednesday’s bloodbath added to the resignations early this month of chief executive Robbie Middleby, who is yet to be replaced, and chairman Ray Baartz.

Hunter Sports Group chief executive Troy Palmer officially cut ties with Tinkler’s sports administration company last week.

Football Federation Australia has given Tinkler until Saturday to pay the club’s debts, headed by $140,000 owed to Northern NSW Football and outstanding superannuation entitlements, and convince the governing body that the club is a going concern.

‘‘FFA has repeatedly spoken about benchmarks around stability and sustainability in the Jets operation,’’ an FFA spokesperson said on Wednesday afternoon.

‘‘In that context, the developments with the coaching staff create another layer of concern.

‘‘The club has some immediate issues to address in relation to finances, personnel and structures, and the timeframe is in the days, not weeks.’’

If Tinkler fails to meet the January 31 deadline, the FFA could move to revoke his A-League licence.

In the meantime, Stubbins faces the task of reviving the club’s campaign and repairing a fractured squad.

The roster was already depleted by the exits of Jonny Steele, Sam Gallaway, Marcos Flores and Mark Birighitti.

The Jets announced this month that home-grown Olyroos winger Andrew Hoole would leave at the end of the season.

The A-League transfer window closes at midnight on Monday.

Former Olyroos striker Travis Cooper arrives on Thursday and, pending a medical, will come in as an injury replacement for James Virgili.

Without the five sacked players, the Jets will have 13 contracted senior players out of a maximum of 23.

The club says it is in talks with other potential additions, but Stubbins is expected to rely largely on fringe and youth team players until the end of the season.

Tension between the players and Stubbins has been bubbling along for months and came to a head after the club-record 7-0 capitulation to Adelaide on Saturday.

The players met privately on Tuesday before training then told Stubbins they ‘‘no longer wanted to play’’ for the coach.

Stubbins flew to Brisbane that afternoon for a meeting with Tinkler, where they mapped out a way forward.

Zane, Young and Packer, who also have sought legal advice, were the first casualties.

Ex-player Michael Bridges survived the cut and will continue as Stubbins’ assistant.

The Jets said the decision to axe the support staff, effectively immediately, came out of the club’s mid-season review.

Well liked by the players and respected in Hunter football circles, Zane, a born and bred Novocastrian, took the reins for the final 12 games last season after the sacking of Gary van Egmond.