On Thursday evening, Jack Hingert will make history as the 13th player in the A-League’s history to reach 300 competition appearances. The Brisbane Roar stalwart shares with aleagues.com.au how a pivotal phone call from Ange Postecoglou kept him from joining Wellington Phoenix, leading to an impressive 14-year tenure at the Roar.
Emotions ran high for Hingert as he stepped onto AAMI Park for his 304th match representing Brisbane Roar on Friday night.
The 34-year-old defender etched his name in the club’s history books during a defeat to Melbourne City, becoming Brisbane’s all-time appearance leader, surpassing club legend Matt McKay.
Following Hingert and McKay on Brisbane’s all-time appearances list are Thomas Broich, Massimo Murdocca, and Henrique—all distinguished figures who contributed to the famed “Roarcelona” era during the early 2010s under Postecoglou.
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Hingert’s journey with the Roar kicked off in 2011 when, after two years with the now-defunct North Queensland Fury, he returned to Victorian club Dandenong Thunder, worried that his Isuzu UTE A-League career was nearing its end.
A trial opportunity at Wellington Phoenix arose, and a contract seemed imminent—until Postecoglou made a phone call that transformed the course of Hingert’s career.
Reflecting on how different his trajectory could have been, Hingert is now on the verge of joining the select group of players who have played 300 games in the Isuzu UTE A-League, a milestone he will reach on Thursday night as Brisbane takes on Western United at Suncorp Stadium.
“When North Queensland Fury folded in 2011, I had no choice but to go back to Melbourne and play six or seven games with Dandenong Thunder during the off-season to keep fit,” Hingert shared with aleagues.com.au.
“My agent advised me to play in the NPL to stay match-ready for any trial opportunities. So, I did that, and then I went to Wellington Phoenix for a trial under Ricky Herbert, where they offered me a contract. Everything was nearly signed until I received a call from my agent.”
“He told me: ‘You won’t believe this, but you have another offer. Ange Postecoglou wants you at Brisbane; there’s one spot left, and he wants to give you the chance.’”
“He’d seen me play in the NPL and was aware of my potential. He had been watching me for a while.”
“My agent said: ‘I’ll let you decide. I’ll jot down my thoughts, then you can tell me what you want to do, and we can make the decision together.’ And that’s what we did.”
“At the time, I likely would have been a starter at Wellington and possibly earning a bit more money. Yet, joining Brisbane felt like heading to the best team in the league. I wanted the challenge of working my way up through the squad for game time, learning from players who had just won the Championship.”
“My agent provided me with a day to ponder the decision. When I called back, I chose Brisbane. It was reassuring that he wrote down Brisbane as well, which made my choice feel more justified.”
What Hingert didn’t realise was that Postecoglou’s convincing words would steer his professional and personal journey in an entirely new direction over the next 14 years.
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He joined Brisbane just after the club’s first Championship success in 2010-11, stepping into the midst of Postecoglou’s squad that became synonymous with the A-League’s “Roarcelona” era.
Having missed the Roar’s inaugural league title, Hingert was instrumental in Brisbane’s back-to-back victories in 2012 and added another Championship in 2014.
Now, eleven years since his last Championship, Hingert remains a vital part of the Roar squad in his 14th consecutive season. Reflecting on his journey, he can hardly fathom what might have transpired had he chosen to ignore his instinct and signed for Wellington instead of seizing the opportunity with Postecoglou’s Roar.
“I knew breaking into the first team wouldn’t be easy,” he recalled. “I recognised the hard work required to establish myself, learning from excellent players like Ivan Franjic at right back and benefiting greatly from those experiences. The chance to train alongside incredible talents such as Matt McKay, Matt Smith, Jade North, and Besart Berisha was invaluable for my growth.”
“What struck me most about playing under Ange was the confidence we had as a team. Stepping onto the pitch each week, there was never a doubt in my mind that we’d come away with a win. The training standards were simply phenomenal, with Ange barely missing a detail.”
“It felt like the way you would strive to perform when your dad was watching—an innate desire to impress him drove us all.”
Hingert’s first 11 of his current tally of 272 league appearances for Brisbane was achieved under Postecoglou before he left the club at the end of the 2011-12 season.
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Hingert’s resolve to seize his second chance in the Isuzu UTE A-League stemmed from the lessons learned during his time at the Fury, a reminder that hard-earned opportunities can vanish in an instant.
“Playing for the Fury was a memorable experience,” he recounted.
“On every single photo I post on social media, someone comments: ‘Bring back the Fury!’
“I was fortunate to catch that break while playing in the Victorian Premier League, now the NPL, for Dandenong. At just 17, we were performing exceptionally well, and my coach, Stuart Munro, had connections with Ian Ferguson, the Fury’s coach, who suggested me for a trial.”
“I attended their pre-season camp in Perth, playing against teams like Wolverhampton and Perth Glory. Those matches served as my trial, and I remember the conversation where Ian Ferguson offered me a contract. Leaving that meeting, it felt as if all my dreams had come true; I was finally a professional footballer.”
“When I returned to the hotel, experienced players like Daniel McBreen offered their congratulations, but they were quick to remind me that this was merely the beginning, urging me to stay humble.”
“Having grown up in England, achieving my first professional contract at North Queensland Fury and playing alongside Robbie Fowler was surreal.”
“The Fury’s closure was disappointing as I had another year on my contract and anticipated staying for at least another season. I had a great time there; the fans were immensely supportive, and that experience was unforgettable.”
“The best aspect was that young players like me received plenty of opportunities, which greatly contributed to my development, both as an athlete and an individual.”
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From his beginnings at Dandenong Thunder to stints at North Queensland and back, Hingert has forged a notable 17-year career in the Isuzu UTE A-League. He is poised to join twelve other players in this prestigious 300-game club.
“This is a tremendously proud moment for me and my family,” he said.
“It’s something I never imagined I would achieve when I first started with North Queensland Fury and later signed with Brisbane.”
“Looking at the names of players who have reached the 300-mark and the top appearances at Brisbane Roar, it’s surreal to think I’m listed amongst them,” he added.
“It’s taken a lot of hard work and countless unseen sacrifices to reach this point. While people see us on the pitch, they don’t understand the effort that goes in behind the scenes.”
With only 12 players having reached the 300-game milestone in the A-League’s two-decade history, Hingert is set to join their ranks this Thursday:
“When you look at that list, they’re all legends in Australian football. They exemplify consistency, reliability, and commitment,” Hingert continued. “The work ethic, attitude, and mentality all play a crucial role in achieving success.”
Hingert attributes his commitment to fitness and maintaining his physique as instrumental in extending his career by several years.
“I make it a priority to tell younger players at the club that the work you put in at the start of your career pays dividends later on,” he noted.
“At 34, I’m still fit and available for every match and consistently perform well in fitness tests and pre-season training.”
“In the early stages of your career, the results of your hard work may not be evident immediately, but I definitely feel I’ve added another four years to my career because of it.”
“Many of my peers have had to retire early due to injuries or neglecting their physical health, but I believe that the effort you put in at the start can yield significant benefits in your later years.”
Hingert will reach his 300th Isuzu UTE A-League game when Brisbane takes on Western United on Thursday night, further solidifying his legacy as the club’s all-time appearance leader.
Originally from London and now a Melbourne native, Hingert feels everything fell into place when he arrived in Brisbane, and as he anticipates the emotionally charged occasion, he can’t envision his life any other way.
“Brisbane is my life. Brisbane Roar is my life,” Hingert stated. “It’s ingrained in me and my family.”
“Staying with one club for fourteen years is rare in modern football, something most players don’t experience,” he added.
“Brisbane is home to my family; it’s where my wife is from, and where we welcomed our first child. It will always hold a special place in my heart.”
“I am dedicated to helping the club return to success, something that means a great deal to both me and the fans.”
“Looking back on my time at the club, I feel proud and grateful for the journey—it has shaped who I am today.”
“Come Thursday night, I expect to feel a wave of emotions—pride, excitement—all intertwined. Each time I wear the jersey, it fills me with pride.”
“Every time I don that jersey, I still experience the enthusiasm I had during my first match at Suncorp Stadium.”
“I play not only for myself and my family but for our fans. That has always been my commitment, and it will remain so.”
Hingert is poised to achieve his 300th Isuzu UTE A-League appearance as Brisbane Roar takes on Western United at Suncorp Stadium this Thursday night.
Team news: Brisbane Roar vs Western United
Brisbane Roar squad: 1. Macklin FREKE (GK), 6. Austin LUDWIK, 8. Walid SHOUR, 10. Florin BERENGUER, 11. Asumah ABUBAKAR, 12. Lucas HERRINGTON, 13. Henry HORE, 15. Hosine BIILITY, 17. Nathan AMANATIDIS, 18. Jacob BRAZETE, 19. Jack HINGERT, 21. Antonee BURKE-GILROY, 23. Keegan JELACIC, 24. Sam KLEIN, 26. Jay O’SHEA (C), 27. Ben HALLORAN, 29. Matt ACTON (GK), 35. Louis ZABALA, 43. Adam ZIMARINO, 47. James DURRINGTON
(Two to be omitted)
Ins: 21. Antonee BURKE-GILROY
Outs: 14. Pearson KASAWAYA
Western United squad: 4. James DONACHIE, 6. Tomoki IMAI, 7. Ramy NAJJARINE, 9. Hiroshi IBUSUKI, 10. Matthew GRIMALDI, 13. Tate RUSSELL, 14. Jake NAJDOVSKI, 17. Ben GARUCCIO (c), 19. Noah BOTIC, 21. Sebastian PASQUALI, 23. Rhys BOZINOVSKI, 24. Michael RUHS, 29. Charbel SHAMOON, 30. Dylan LEONARD, 32. Angus THURGATE, 33. Matt SUTTON (GK), 37. Luke VICKERY, 44. Jordan LAUTON, 70. Michael VONJA (GK), 77. Riku DANZAKI
Ins: 21. Sebastian PASQUALI, 29. Charbel SHAMOON
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 20. Abel WALATEE (injured)
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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