It’s set to be the biggest Westfield W-League game of the year for our Newcastle Jets – and for more reasons than one.
Saturday afternoon will see the side take to the No.2 Sportsground pitch for the first time, up against a Perth Glory side which is looking to jump back to the top of the table.
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It’s the Greater Bank community round, which means there’s plenty of opportunities for boys and girls, young and old, to get involved in the action.
Here are five things to think about ahead of a massive day of football.
Heading home again
No.2 Sportsground in the heart of the City of Newcastle fast became a favourite among Westfield W-League fans and players last season.
Ground maintenance means that we haven’t been able to get on there yet in the Westfield W-League, but that all changes on Saturday.
The Jets played just once there last season, but players liked the venue so much that they pushed for it to become a permanent home base.
After training on the pitch for much of December and into January, the women will be hoping for a big crowd to come out and help them on to a crucial win.
The Kerr effect
This weekend’s opponents bring with them a huge thorn in the side of Newcastle – Sam Kerr.
The Westfield Matilda has scored five goals in her last three outings against the Jets, including one from the spot earlier this season and a seven-minute hat-trick back in the 2017/18 season.
The strike weapon is regularly held up as one of Australia’s best players and for good reason. Keeping her under control will be key to victory on Saturday.
Kids in club socks go free
Fans heading to No.2 Sportsground on Saturday afternoon are encouraged to show they’re proud to be #MadeOfNewcastle.
In fact, kids wearing their local football club socks will get in FREE to this blockbuster Westfield W-League clash. Make sure you’re there early though, because this offer only applies to the first 500 kids!
It’s all part of the Greater Bank community round, with the Club’s Major Community Partner running a host of activities off the field with the Family Fun Fair.
Crunch time approaching
With four games left to play for the Jets, there are still seven points separating them from the competition’s top four.
The ever-elusive finals spots, one of which the Jets managed to crack into last season, are still up for grabs but time is fast running out.
Defeat this weekend would make it near-impossible for Newcastle to make back-to-back finals appearances for the first time in Westfield W-League history.
Shuffling the front third
With Cortnee Vine a late exclusion on Friday due to a calf injury she aggravated in the warm-up, questions around the front third again rear their head.
It saw Pana Petratos start at the point of attack last weekend, but how will things look this weekend?
If Vine returns, could we see a return to the front three which scored twice against Adelaide on New Years Eve?
Or, should she remain out, could a fit-again Tara Andrews come into the team and look to stamp her mark on proceedings?
