Dominik Ritter is eager to test himself against defending A-League Champions Brisbane Roar in Tamworth on Saturday.
Hunter Ports Newcastle Jets defender Dominik Ritter says he is eager to test himself against defending A-League Champions Brisbane Roar in Tamworth on Saturday.
The Swiss import says he is aware of Brisbane-s accomplishments in the A-League over the past two seasons, but he won-t be intimidated by the Roar come Saturday night.
“I-ve heard that Brisbane have won the last two seasons so they are a very good team,” Ritter said.
“The boys have told me they play short passes and try to make the ball do the work and they play good football.
“I-m not scared though, we have a good team and I-m ready for the challenge and looking forward to playing against them.”
Ritter returned from a quadriceps injury in the Jets’ 3-1 win over Wellington at Weston a fortnight ago.
The 23-year-old came off the bench in the second half of that match and he said he is expecting to have a similar input against Brisbane as he continues to improve his fitness.
“My fitness is feeling better, my leg is feeling better and I-m probably going to play another 30 minutes against Brisbane,” he said.
“I-ll just keep slowly progressing and working my way back until I-m ready to play 90 minutes and ready for the start of the season.”
Ritter said it had been a strange experience for him adapting to such a lengthy pre-season.
“It-s a very long pre-season and there-s still five weeks to go. In Europe normally the whole pre-season only goes for five weeks,” he said.
“But every week we are getting closer to the first game which is exciting, and I-m really looking forward to playing against Adelaide in my first A-League game.”
Ritter has already got a small taste of what to expect this season having checked out the Jets’ home venue Hunter Stadium at a recent Newcastle Knights NRL match.
“I went to the rugby game for the Knights against Bulldogs and it is a nice stadium, a big stadium with a good field,” he said.
“I hope that there are a lot of Jets Members and supporters who come to watch us play because I-ve heard they make a very good atmosphere in the stadium.”
Match details:
Newcastle Jets v Brisbane Roar
Scully Park, Tamworth
Saturday, September 1
Kick-off 6.30pm (gates open 5.30pm)
Ticket prices:
Gold (Adults $32)
Silver (Adults $27, Kids $19, Family $75)
General Admission (Adults $19, Kids $14, Family $55)
Tickets are available through West Tamworth Leagues Club or at www.wtlc.com.au.
Newcastle Jets Squad for match against Brisbane Roar at Scully Park Tamworth:
Scott Neville, Josh Mitchell, Dominik Ritter, Ben Kantarovski, James Brown, Ruben Zadkovich, Bernardo Ribeiro, Ryan Griffiths, Sam Gallaway, Taylor Regan, Criag Goodwin, Jobe Wheelhouse, James Virgili, Jacob Pepper, Michael Bridges, Mark Birighitti (gk), Marko Jesic, Mitchell Oxborrow, Jack Duncan.
Unavailable:
Ben Kennedy (injury), Tiago Calvano (suspension), Joshua Brillante (injury), Adam Taggart (international duty), Connor Chapman (international duty), Mitchell Cooper (international duty).
