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Jeremy Brockie of the Jets shoots against Melbourne Heart. - Source: Getty -
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Goals by Jeremy Brockie, Ryan Griffiths and Michael Bridges were enough for Newcastle to comprehensively defeat Melbourne Heart 3-0 in their A-League clash tonight.
Their third victory in a row allowed the Jets to leapfrog the Heart into fifth spot on the ladder.
Despite dominating possession and territory in the opening 20 minutes, the visitors were unable to make it count on the scoreboard and were punished by the Jets in the 23rd minute.
New Zealand striker Brockie headed home his third goal in two matches after a clever cross by Tarek Elrich.
That sparked the home team, creating two more excellent chances in quick succession; Francis Jeffers shot narrowly wide before Elrich also missed a gilt-edged opportunity.
Defender Sung-Hwan Byun went within centimetres of doubling the lead for the Jets minutes later when he forced Heart goalkeeper Clint Bolton into a strong save from a well-taken free kick.
A late Paul Reid strike was well-saved by Ben Kennedy to ensure the Jets took their 1-0 lead into the halftime break.
The Jets immediately doubled the lead at the start of the second half when Griffiths nodded home his eighth goal of the season from a Byun free kick.
From there only one team appeared set to win the game and the three points were wrapped up when English veteran Bridges pounced at the back post in the 76th minute from a Ruben Zadkovic centre.
Alex Terra and Rutger Worm both came close late on for the Heart, but the visitors couldn't find a consolation goal.
