Dominik Ritter says his fitness is steadily improving after getting through 90 minutes in Wednesday’s intra-club trial.
Hunter Ports Newcastle Jets defender Dominik Ritter says his fitness is steadily improving after completing his first full 90 minutes in Jets colours in their intra-club trial game on Wednesday.
Ritter started at left-back in the Jets First XI team before shifting back into the centre of the defence late in the second half.
“It was good to get more physical (training) because I had a long break,” he said.
“In the first one or two games I played one half and then 60 minutes, so it was good to get a full 90 minutes today and get more fitness.”
Ritter said the fixture proved to be a good challenge for the Jets squad as they pushed each other to their physical limits.
“It was difficult, a difficult pitch but was good training for us and a good physical test. We got a lot of contact with each other so it was good,” he said.
“The pitch was quite small so that made it difficult. Every time you got the ball there was another player there.
“It was not so good for technical training but it was physical and everyone was very strong so I think for pre-season that type of game is very good.”
The former Swiss under 20-s international has impressed coach Gary van Egmond since joining the Club earlier this month.
“He-s fitted in very nicely and he-s equally comfortable at left back or playing as a stopper,” van Egmond said.
“From our point of view he-s a really handy type of player to have. He-s got good pace, he-s got good delivery as far as his pass is concerned and he-s been very competitive.”
Ritter linked up well down the left flank with Adam Taggart in Wednesday-s trial, setting the striker up for a number of chances while also forcing a good save out of Jack Duncan himself.
“We look to get the fullbacks to go high and the wide player to go inside and we can do one-twos,” Ritter explained.
“With Tags, every time it is very good because he goes inside and plays fast and it is a good combination.”
Ritter said he is pleased with how smoothly his transition into Newcastle has gone.
“I-m settling in very well,” he said.
“I-m living with Craig (Goodwin) in Lambton and the weather gets better every day which is good, because I don-t like the rain.”
Jets Members and supporters can follow Dominik Ritter (@DomRitt) on Twitter by clicking HERE
