Finals are out of reach for the Jets, but Saturday presents a good opportunity to finish the season on a high.
After the gutsy win last weekend which was overshadowed by that horrific injury to key player, Larissa Crummer, a win could see the Jets finish as high as sixth on the ladder.
That’d leave the side just three points from what shaped as a potential consecutive Finals Series appearance, with last-gasp defeats now proving the difference.
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Arin Wright and Pana Petratos scored the goals in last weekend’s 2-1 win over Adelaide United, which was the perfect tonic to bounce back from the week previous’ big loss to Melbourne City.
Injuries have plagued the Jets all season, but this weekend looks like seeing two return from stints on the sideline and provide a welcome boost.
Saturday’s opponents, Western Sydney Wanderers, have won just one game this season – against Adelaide United, the side we beat last weekend.
In the Wanderers last outing, they were smacked 5-1 by Perth Glory.
Team news
The list of long-term outs is growing ever longer, with Larissa Crummer’s name now indefinitely added to it.
Emily van Egmond, Katie Stengel, and Taylor Smith all remain out, with the latter pair having returned to their native United States to continue rehab there.
There is some good news on the injury front though – Gema Simon is set to return after missing last weekend with some niggling injuries which have plagued her.
IIlness also prevented Cortnee Vine making the trip to Adelaide, but she’s recovered and is in the mix for Saturday.
From the coach
“Cortnee was sick last weekend, Gema had been battling through and we thought we’d give her a rest,” Craig Deans said.
“The young girls who have been playing are doing a good job, we’ve won two of the last three games and that’s been with the players we had last weekend.
“It’s a matter of checking on the girls and if they’re okay and evaluating the risk of them playing or not playing.
“Our crowd is a major factor for us, the girls last year told us that their preference was to play here because of the atmosphere. That helps the players, and I know that they’re keen to see a similar, if not bigger, crowd out this weekend.”
