After receiving the wooden spoon last season, the Newcastle Jets are looking to stir the pot and serve up a fresh new team of talent, experience and goal scorers.
Last season…
W-League: 9th
Finals: Did not qualify
They will win the league because…
A montage of elite talent was recruited in the off-season from the National Premier League and the W-League, bringing to the pitch a combination of experience, versatility and depth to the squad.
New signing Jemma House will be a dangerous and vital piece to the Jets. The 24-year-old joins the side after finishing her 2020 campaign in the Newcastle WPL with Newcastle Olympic FC as the top goal scorer with a formidable tally of 31.
Consider House’s confidence in front of the net and the retaining of legendary forward Tara Andrews, the duo have the ability to unravel their opposition’s defence and cause distress in the attacking third.
Additionally, new head coach Ash Wilson could be the fresh start needed to make this a game changing season. Wilson carries the experience as assistant coach to former head coach Craig Deans. Her idealistic attitude and well-rounded knowledge may see the club leave the wooden spoon behind.
They’ll be cellar dwellers because…
A week out from the season’s launch and there is still uncertainty around the starting XI. The mass exodus of players including integral midfielders like Libby Copus-Brown and Clare Wheeler has left a lot of team rebuilding to occur over the pre-season.
While versatility is a step in the right direction for the Jets, the open roles and many players putting their hands up to fill the spot indicates they have not yet found a stable and working formation. If the season start is too experimental with structural changes, it may create inconsistencies throughout the year.
With the weight of last year’s disappointing finish on their backs, the first few rounds will question how quickly the new team can gel together to create results.
The off-season brought…
News signings. New coach.
Newcastle have assembled nine recruits including former Western Sydney Wanderers midfielders Rhianna Policing and Alisha Brass. As well as defender Tiana Jabar.
The experience in the league will help Sydney NPL products Evelyn Chronis and Sophie Harding adapt to the uptempo game.
Key player
The long-serving Jets staple Tara Andrews. The Newcastle-born forward made her debut in the 2009/10 season at the age of 15 and has since developed her lethal right foot. Last season she converted 11 shots on target into five goals.
Andrews is a rare attacker who knows how to place herself into goal scoring positions. Her ability to manoeuvre in the box will be an important asset for Newcastle’s midfield. Wilson has made a point this season to ease the burden off the star striker and is looking to create various channels to feed the ball through.
The 26-year-old’s maturity and leadership throughout her years with the Jets will help build the team’s current acquisitions.
One to watch
The technical 23-year-old Sunny Franco. The attacking midfielder has an extensive history with the W-League and the NPL. She’s signed on with the Jets bringing vision, pace and confidence on the ball.
Franco is another powerhouse comfortable in front of goal. Over her playing career, she has attributed to various goals, including in an Australian U20s match against Singapore with a double hat trick.
This season the former Australian youth international will be one to watch on the scoresheets, particularly when linking with other quality scorers like Allan and Brewer.
INS: Chloe O’Brien, Sunny Franco, Rhianna Pollicina, Alisha Bass, Evelyn Chronis, Sophie Harding, Tiana Jaber, Taren King, Jemma House
OUTS: Libby Copus-Brown, Clare Wheeler, Jenna Kingsley, Teigan Collister, Nicki Flannery, Renee Poutney, Paige Kingston-Hogg
Full squad list
Goalkeepers: Claire Coelho, Nicole Simonsen
Defenders: Hannah Brewer, Tiana Jaber, Taren King, Annabel Martin, Sophie Nenadovic, Gema Simon, Tessa Tamplin
Midfielders: Alisha Bass, Cassidy Davis, Sunny Franco, Chloe O’Brien Panagiota Petratos, Rhianna Pollicina
Forwards: Lauren Allan, Tara Andrews, Evelyn Chronis, Sophie Harding, Jemma House
Feature image credit: Sproule Sports Focus
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