The Newcastle Jets have a new captain and it’s a familiar face.

Max Burgess has been named captain for the 2026/27 Isuzu UTE A-League Men season, with experienced defender Joe Shaughnessy appointed vice captain.

For Burgess, it’s the latest chapter in a remarkable return to Newcastle.

The 31 year old first joined the Jets in 2014/15, before returning to the club ahead of last season. He quickly became an important part of the side and helped Newcastle produce a historic 2025/26 campaign.

The Jets won their first ever A-League Men’s Premier’s Plate and their first Australia Cup, with Burgess scoring and earning Player of the Match honours in the Australia Cup Final.

Burgess also wore the captain’s armband several times last season when Kosta Grozos was unavailable.

Now, the responsibility is officially his.

Last season Newcastle surprised plenty of people.

This season, everyone knows what the Jets are capable of.

Newcastle will be defending their Premier’s Plate while also making their first appearance in the AFC Champions League Elite, beginning with a trip to Japan to face Kashima Antlers on September 15.

Their A-League Premiership defence begins on October 17 with an F3 Derby against Central Coast Mariners.

That means Burgess won’t just be leading a successful team he’ll be leading a side facing considerably greater expectations.

And that could be the biggest test of his leadership yet.

Was Burgess the right choice?

There’s a strong argument that he was.

He knows the club, has already led the team on the field and was an important part of Newcastle’s historic season last year.

But now comes the hard part.

Can Max Burgess lead the Jets from surprise winners to an established force in Australian football?

The armband is his.

Now the pressure begins.