Newcastle Jets have signed centre-back Poppie Hooks for the 2026/27 Ninja A-League Women season, the club confirmed on the A-Leagues website on Friday, September 25.
Hooks joins from Western Sydney Wanderers, where she made 19 appearances last season before departing at the end of the campaign.
Newcastle head coach Stephen Hoyle said Hooks' performances against the Jets last season had caught his attention.
"Poppie really stood out to me last season with how hard she competed when we played against her," Hoyle said.
Hoyle said Hooks would add defensive strength to the squad.
"She's an excellent 1v1 defender, is comfortable defending big spaces and is very strong in the air, and I'm excited to see how much further she can develop her game here in Newcastle," he said.
Hooks made her Ninja A-League debut with Perth Glory in the 2021/22 season, playing four matches before leaving the club at season's end.
She then spent time in the NPL with Illawarra Stingrays, where she was named in the Team of the Year, before returning to the top flight with the Wanderers in 2025/26.
Hooks said she was looking forward to linking up with her new teammates in Newcastle.
"I'm so ready and beyond excited to start playing with this team, who have already started putting in hard work for each other," she said.
She said she wanted to help push the Jets towards the finals.
"I'm dedicated to bringing strength and commitment to this squad and end up securing finals," Hooks said.
Newcastle finished ninth of 11 teams in the 2025-26 A-League Women season, missing the finals.
Hoyle was appointed head coach in 2025 on a two-year deal running to the end of the 2026-27 season, taking over from Ryan Campbell.
The Jets, based in Speers Point, open their 2026/27 campaign at home against Perth Glory on Saturday, October 17.