Joel Griffiths

Football player infobox
playername = Joel Griffiths
fullname = Joel Griffiths


dateofbirth = birth date and age|1979|8|21
cityofbirth = Sydney
countryofbirth = Australia
height = height|m=1.82
currentclub = Newcastle United Jets
clubnumber =
position = Right Winger, Striker
youthyears =
youthclubs = Menai
Sutherland
years = 1997–1999
1999–2001
2001–2003
2003–2006
2006
2006–"present"
2008
clubs = Sydney United
Parramatta Power
Newcastle United
Neuchâtel Xamax
Leeds United
Newcastle United Jets
→ Avispa Fukuoka "(loan)"
caps(goals) = 28 0(8)
51 (15)
46 (25)
72 0(4)
02 0(0)
50 (24)
09 0(3)
nationalyears = 1999
2005–2008
nationalteam = Australia U-20
Australia
nationalcaps(goals) = 05 0(1)
03 0(1)
pcupdate = 28 September 2008
ntupdate = 23 June 2008

Joel Griffiths (born August 21, 1979) is an Australian football (soccer) player. A right sided attacking midfielder, he currently plays for A-League club Newcastle Jets. He made this transfer on July 31, 2006 for an undisclosed fee after a brief spell in England with Leeds United, having signed from Swiss club Neuchatel Xamax on January 17, 2006. He only managed two substitute appearances for Leeds and Griffiths attributed the lack of first team football to the perceived animosity from ex-Leeds manager Blackwell who only provided "non stop criticism". [cite web| url = http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,23241790-5001023,00.html| title = Griffiths - I was so humiliated| accessdate = 2008-06-21| author = David Davutovic| date = February 20, 2008| publisher = The Daily Telegraph]

Club career

His previous clubs were Sydney United, Parramatta Power and Newcastle United in the now defunct National Soccer League (NSL). He also had a brief stint with Leeds United where he made two appearances.

After joining the Newcastle Jets in the 2006-07season Griffiths quickly formed the basis of the team that underwent a strong resurgence under new coach Gary van Egmond. His memorable performances include scoring two goals in extra time against Perth Glory in round 20 to draw the game at 3-3. At the end of the regular season Griffiths had contributed a total of 6 goals for the Jets. The Jets would finish third in the regular season and be narrowly knocked out of the chance to play in the AFC Champions League and the A-League 2006-07 Grand Final. He was voted Squadron player of the year for the season.

In the 2007-08 Joel's twin brother Adam Griffiths joined the team. With the loss of key attacking players such as Nick Carle, Milton Rodriguez and Vaughan Coveny, Griffiths became the key to the Jets attack throughout the season. Early in the season Griffiths controversially assaulted a linesman, which he was awarded a yellow card for, narrowly escaping harsh punishment due to FIFA regulations. His performances on the pitch quickly lead him to be the focus of much media attention, with Griffiths remaining in career best form for much of the season. 2 stunning goals against Melbourne Victory in round 17 saw him called into the training squad for the A-League based Socceroos, but later had to withdraw from the squad due to injury. At the end of Griffith's outstanding regular season he had scored 12 goals, which earned him the A-League Golden Boot award. Finishing 2nd in the regular season on goal difference, the Jets later went on to win the Grand Final.

With the conclusion of the season, Griffiths is expected to join J-League division 2 side Avispa Fukuoka on a loan spell. On March 5 2008, it was announced that he joined the Japanese club on loan. In July he returned to Newcastle.

International career

He represented Australia at the FIFA World Youth Championship in Nigeria in 1999. Griffiths made his debut for the full national team on October 9, 2005 against Jamaica, scoring a goal before celebrating by hopping up and down like a Kangaroo. This was Australia's final warm up match before their World Cup qualifier playoff match against Uruguay. In January 2008, he was named in the 22-man Socceroos squad for the training camp at Sydney, but would not play the World Cup Qualifying match against Qatar due to injury.

Honours

With Newcastle Jets:
* A-League Championship: 2007-2008Personal Honours:
* Johnny Warren Medal: 2007-2008 with Newcastle Jets
* A-League Golden Boot: 2007-2008 with Newcastle Jets - 12 goals
* Newcastle Jets Player of the Year: 2007-2008
* Newcastle Jets Member's Player of the Year: 2007-2008
* Newcastle Jets Member's Player of the Year: 2006-2007

References

External links

* [http://www.newcastlejets.com.au/default.aspx?s=njfc_playerprofile_item&pid=133 Newcastle Jets profile]
* [http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/Socceroos/default.aspx?s=soc_player_profile&pid=133&tid=23 FFA - Socceroo profile]
* [http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/Players/G/GR.html Oz Football profile]