New Zealand international Jeremy Brockie is thinking positively ahead of Sunday’s crucial match away to the Wellington Phoenix.
The past 12 months has been a rollercoaster ride for Jeremy Brockie, with two serious injuries bookending an appearance for New Zealand at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.
Now, ahead of this weekend-s crucial clash away to the seventh-placed Wellington Phoenix, the Jets’ resident Kiwi has his sights set on creating more positive memories.
Due to the current injury toll at the club, the 23-year-old has been forced to return slightly early from a broken foot, but it stands him in good stead heading into Newcastle’s decisive final five fixtures.
“It-s getting there,” Brockie said of his comeback at the team-s training ground at Ray Watt Oval.
“Obviously it-s plain to see for everyone who watched last weekend that I-m still lacking maybe a yard of pace and sharpness, but I-ve been training hard this week on the paddock and I-m really looking forward to Wellington this weekend.”
Indeed, Sunday-s match marks a homecoming of sorts for the South Island-product, and his presence is set to give Newcastle some much needed support inside the imposing Westpac Stadium.
The Jets have only won once at the ‘Cake Tin- in six previous visits, a record the team is desperate to rectify this weekend.
“From when I first got injured I looked at the schedule and targeted this game as my comeback, so I-m looking forward to going over there and catching up with friends and family.”
“My dad, my brother and my Grandad are definitely going over from Nelson.”
“They actually booked their flights at the start of the season and when I first got injured they were a little bit scared that they were going to miss out, but I-ve made it there in time, and I-m looking forward to seeing them in the crowd with a couple of Jets shirts on,” said Brockie.
Meanwhile, experienced left-back Adam D-Apuzzo has been given the green light by club medical staff to fly across the Tasman for the match, giving the Jets a much needed boost ahead of last season-s Finals re-match.
Winger Ali Abbas, though, has suffered a setback during his recovery from a groin injury and will be unable to travel to the New Zealand capital with his teammates on Friday.
For Brockie, the opportunity to travel to his homeland and collect what would be an invaluable three competition points has him once again in an optimistic frame of mind.
“The top six is there in reach for us, so we-ve got to go out there for these last five games and give it our all and hopefully the results come our way.”
“If we stay positive, work hard as a team and not drop our heads down, there-s every possibility that we can be there come finals time,” he said.
