Ronny Vargas is desperate to bring Hyundai A-League glory to the Newcastle Jets to repay the club for getting him back on the pitch following his horror injury earlier this season.
Vargas endured a shocking ankle injury in the Round 3 win over Brisbane Roar which was expected to rule him out for the rest of the campaign.
But with the support of the Jets medical staff, the Venezuelan slowly worked his way back to fitness and is now set to start in Saturday night’s Grand Final against Melbourne Victory at a sold-out McDonald Jones Stadium.
“Now to be in the grand final I really appreciate a lot for those who were working with me to get me back,” Vargas said.
“It’s something you really need to value in your life.
“One of the most important is the physio and all the people that were working with me, I hope to give this back to them and to the city and everybody is to win this game.”
While admitting he’s not quite back to his best after his long layoff, Vargas has still be integral to the Jets’ surge to the decider.
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He earned praise from coach Ernie Merrick following last week’s semi-final win over Melbourne City for the job he did in nullifying the visitors’ chief playmaker Luke Brattan.
Vargas was also involved in the key moment of the game, with his pass to Riley McGree leading to the midfielder’s freakish ‘scorpion kick’ equaliser.
“From my side it wasn’t one of the best balls I can give to him but his reaction and quality to do something like this is something amazing,” Vargas said of the goal which has gone viral.
“That’s why it’s gone around the world. I feel really proud to be a part of this because it was an unbelievable goal.”
Speaking about being in the grand final and the atmosphere in the Hunter this week, Vargas added: “It was very positive and beautiful to see so many people [at our open training session on Wednesday.
“It will motivate us more for Saturday.
“The last game was a beautiful atmosphere, the people are with us and really support us. It’s great for us, for the club and for the city.
“We deserve it for what the boys did in the whole season and right now we have to do our best to try and win because it will be something beautiful and historic.”
