The Newcastle Jets are finalising preparations for what promises to be an exciting clash at EnergyAustralia Stadium (EAS) in their Westfield W-League Semi Final against Canberra United on Saturday afternoon.
Quietly confident of their chances to get to this stage of the competition at the start of the year, the Jets are now looking to go all the way and emulate their Hyundai A-League counterparts championship win of last season.
With regular season matches played at Wanderers Oval, that sits in the shadow of EAS at Broadmeadow, the move to the bigger venue is a much anticipated one for the girls.
Only a few of the Jets squad have had the opportunity to play on the new venue and the younger players in particular are both excited and slightly nervous at the prospect.
“The ball moves differently on this surface but its something that I think will suit our style of play,” Head Coach Gary Phillips said of EnergyAustralia Stadium.
“We-ll have a familiarisation session here on Friday just to let the girls see what the place is like. I don-t think they-ll be daunted by the prospect of playing here and I think we can turn nerves into positive energy.”
The Jets girls have attracted good crowds to their regular season matches and it is anticipated that the EAS match will also attract a healthy attendance from football mad Novocastrians.
The women are also hoping that The Squadron, the vocal supporters group for the Jets A-League side, will turn out on force on Saturday and add to the atmosphere of what promises to be an exciting and memorable game.
On the field the Jets leading scorer Katie Gill will be hoping to further her W-League goal tally, particularly in such a vital match. Whilst Matildas stalwart and Jets Captain Cheryl Salisbury will be hoping a calf injury has mended sufficiently to allow her to take to the field.
Collectively the squad would like to secure a win as a ‘gift- for one of their teammates who was seriously injured in a waterskiing accident over the holiday period. The Jets young star Sammie Wood suffered horrific facial injuries in the accident which has ruled her out of the rest of the season.
Depending on doctor-s recommendations and how Wood feels herself, she may be able to watch the game from the stands or at worst live on ABC on Saturday afternoon.
Whether it-s for home town pride, for Sammie or for the Westfield W-League crown – the Jets will have all to play for on Saturday afternoon at EnergyAustralia Stadium.
