Newcastle Jets are pleased to announce two new signings, and one resigning to finalise the Club’s Westfield W-League 2018/19 squad.
Pana Petratos is back on board after a breakthrough year in Jets colours last season, while Libby Copus-Brown has returned to the Club after a year away from football and Teigan Collister has signed from the NPL NSW Women’s side, North Shore Mariners.
With these three signings, it takes Craig Deans’ squad to 20 players prior to the Round 2 season opener away to Melbourne Victory on Thursday 1 November.
PARTNER: University of Newcastle on board for 2018/19
ECKERSTROM: American shot-stopper back in goals
Pana Petratos made seven appearances off the bench last season, and with just 81 minutes of Westfield W-League experience under her belt, she’ll be looking to kick on in 2018/19.
The attacker will have some stiff competition this season for spots in the final third, but after a strong season in the NPL NSW Women’s competition with the North West Sydney Koalas she’ll be gunning for more minutes this time around.
Teigan Collister is the unknown quantity in Jets colours this year – an attacker who hasn’t previously played in the Westfield W-League but Craig Deans has described as ‘unpredictable’.
After a solid season in the NPL NSW Women’s competition with North Shore Mariners, and time previously in the Young Matildas set-up, Collister will be looking to make the most of her opportunity with the Jets.
Libby Copus-Brown is a player who Craig Deans is familiar with – she was with the Jets squad during his first season with the Club back in 2015/16.
In all, the midfielder has played 16 times for the Jets W-League team but took last season off to travel overseas. Back in Newcastle, Copus-Brown made the WPL Team of the Year with South Wallsend in the winter and is in good condition.
Jets W-League Head Coach, Craig Deans was pleased to have the squad finalised ahead of the November season opener.
“It’s great to have these three girls locked in for the season, they’re all very good players and they’ll bring a lot to the squad,” Deans said.
“Pana looks fit and strong, she did well in the NPL NSW over the winter and I definitely think she’ll play a lot more football this season.
“Teigan is an unknown quantity, she’s the type of player who you’d look to throw on late in the game when you need something different.
“Libby’s a player I know, she played for the Jets for a few years while I was here but took last year off. She rang me and said she was keen to play again, I invited her in for a trial and she did enough to earn a contract.
“All three will be in contention for the squad for our opening match in Melbourne on November 1.”
