It is a sign of unquestionable talent when a teenage debutant outshines some of her more experienced international counterparts on the Westfield W-League stage.
That is what occurred in Newcastle last Saturday, when 17-year-old Jets talent Tess Tamplin helped inspire her side to a huge 3-1 win over high-flying Perth Glory.
Tamplin, a product of the Jets Academy, was one of the chief architects of the win which keeps the Jets’ top-four hopes alive.
And according to Jets boss Craig Deans, the midfielder stands as a role model for other Newcastle youngsters to follow.
“I thought she was outstanding,” he told Newcastle Jets’ official website.
“She’s come through the academy and I’ve had a few conversations with her about being patient and understanding that the level is not easy, and to work hard and your time will come.
“It’s great for all the academy kids to see that there’s an opportunity if they have the right work ethic and enough ability.
“Hopefully, Tess Tamplin can be a bit of an inspiration for a lot of those young girls.”
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So committed was Tamplins’s enthusiasm for the task at hand that midway through the second half the winger stopped to throw up on the ground before continuing her relentless command of the right touchline.
Tamplin joins Clare Wheeler and Libby Copus-Brown as emerging talents who have taken their chance in the Jets first team with aplomb this season.
“It was a nerve-wracking thing initially when I was told I’d be playing, I was extremely nervous,” she said.
“Once I got into the game, I felt like I belonged in a way. It was really fun, I enjoyed it a lot, I was really excited just to be out there.
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“Almost my entire family was there, it was really good to have their support on Saturday.
“My older brother is like my biggest fan, he was very impressed, and came up to me after the game and was like, ‘Yes, Tess!’, that was pretty cool.”
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