The Newcastle Jets coaching staff have highlighted the performance of Josh Brillante in the F3 Derby for this week’s ‘Coaches Choice’.
The Hunter Ports Newcastle Jets coaching staff have highlighted the performance of midfielder Josh Brillante in the F3 Derby for this week-s ‘Coaches Choice-.
Each week the Newcastle Jets coaching staff will select one player who they believe played an important role in the previous weekend-s game.
The Coaches Choice will not necessarily be the man of the match, but rather a player who has caught the eye of the Jets coaching staff with certain aspects of their performance.
Jets head coach Gary van Egmond said Brillante was his pick for the Round 17 clash with the Central Coast Mariners at Bluetongue Stadium
“Josh had a very good game. It was his first start in an F3 Derby and I think he handled himself very well,” van Egmond said.
“Josh is developing very nicely in that central midfield position, especially when you consider he was probably more of a right back when he first came to the Club.
“You can see the improvement in him from the beginning of the season to now and he-s only going to get better and better with more game time.”
Brillante said he was pleased to have helped the Jets take a point home from a difficult away trip against the competition leaders.
“It was a good game and a good performance by us away from home,” Brillante said.
“It-s tough to play against the Central Coast with their support behind them and the weather on Saturday as well, so I thought we did really well.
“I think everyone in the team has played a part in (three consecutive clean sheets), so you-ve got to give everyone credit for that.
“I think with the two holding midfielders and the fact we-re basically playing with the same team every week, everyone is getting to know what their role is and we-re doing really well.”
Brillante-s midfield partner Ruben Zadkovich will be absent for this weekend-s match against Wellington due to suspension.
However, Brillante said he will feel equally comfortable alongside Jobe Wheelhouse if the Jets skipper is selected to replace Zadkovich.
“I think our combination will be pretty good. I-d been watching him play before I came in and he was doing really well,” Brillante said.
“It-s been good to work with Ruben and hopefully if Jobe comes in, I can have a good relationship with him as well.
“They-re really good, experienced players, especially Jobe as captain and Ruben taking over as captain as well. You can learn a lot from them with their leadership and talking on the field and things like that.”
