The Jets will travel to Melbourne for Round 3 of the Westfield W-League, as they look to continue their impressive early season form.
Described as the competition’s ‘surprise packets’ by experts and pundits alike, the Jets currently sit atop the W-League standings following convincing victories over the Western Sydney Wanderers and Sydney FC.
Head Coach, Craig Deans said his chargers wouldn’t be overawed by their more fancied opponents.
“It’s another team we get written off against, which is something we see a lot of but that’s no worry to us – it’s going to be a good challenge for us as a team,” said Deans.
City boasts a roster that includes Jess Fishlock, Kyah Simon and Alanna Kennedy.
“Individually our girls can show how they’ve progressed as players and test themselves against some quality opponents.
“We have to keep improving and building that consistency in our performance, I think we’re on the right track but there’s still plenty of work for us to do.
“At the start of the year we spoke about the fact that if we wanted to play finals, we’re going to beat these sort of teams at some point – it’s about more than just being competitive now.”
The Jets were bolstered by the return of Cortnee Vine and Sophie Nenadovic from international duty last week and Deans was happy with the return of his Young Matildas.
“I think they both came on in the second half and were able to make a strong contribution,” he added.
“Tash Prior was really impressive – as was Nikolla Orgill – and our experienced girls in Arin (Gilliland), Em (van Egmond) and Tori (Huster) have also had a strong start to the season.”
Saturday 12 November, 2017
Melbourne City v Newcastle Jets
AAMI Park, Melbourne
Kick-Off: 4.30pm (AEDT)
Referee: Rebecca Durcau
TV Broadcast: Live coverage on FOX SPORTS 501 from 4:00pm (AEDT) and SBS VICELAND from 4:00pm (AEDT
Join the conversation on Twitter using the hash-tag #WLeague #MCYvNEW
Newcastle Jets squad: 2.Hannah BREWER, 3.Natasha PRIOR, 5.Arin GILLILAND, 6.Cassidy DAVIS, 8. Sophie NENADOVIC, 9.Katie STENGEL, 10.Emily VAN EGMOND, 11.Cortnee VINE, 12.Tara ANDREWS 14.Tara PENDER, 16.Nikola ORGILL, 17.Jenna KINGSLEY, 18. Clare WHEELER, 20.Claire COEHLO (gk), 21.Pana PETRATOS, 23. Tori HUSTER, 28.Britt ECKERSTROM (gk)
**two to be omitted**
Ins: 12.Tara ANDREWS (promoted), 14.Tara PENDER (promoted), 18.Clare WHEELER (promoted)
Outs: 19.Ash BRODIGAN (omitted)
Unavailable: N/A
Melbourne City FC squad: 1.Lydia WILLIAMS (GK) 2.Yukari KINGA, 3.Lauren BARNES, 4.Ashley HATCH, 5.Lia MULDEARY, 7.Steph CATLEY (C), 9.Larissa CRUMMER, 10.Jess FISHLOCK, 11.Rhali DOBSON, 13.Rebekah STOTT, 14.Alanna KENNEDY, 15.Amy JACKSON, 16.Sofia SAKALIS, 17.Kyah SIMON, 18.Hayley RICHMOND, 23.Melissa HUDSON (GK)
**one to be omitted**
Ins: 16.Sofia SAKALIS (promoted), 18.Hayley RICHMOND (promoted)
Outs: 19.Tyla-Jay VLAJNIC (knee – 1 week)
Unavailable: 20.Emily SHIELDS (wrist – indefinite)
