It’s finals time. We begin our run to the Championship away from home in the first leg of the semi-final against the Newcastle Jets, where we’ll look to take a healthy lead back home.
Having defeated Newcastle home and away this season, we’ll be going into these matches feeling like the heavy-weights. We must make every second in the following matches count, and place ourselves in that Grand Final; where we belong.
Here are three talking points going into this one:
Who starts?
With all players seemingly fit, this is one of the more promising games for selection we’ve seen this season. With the late addition of superstar youngster Shelby McMahon, and return of Daniela Galic from international duty, we’re in a fantastic position to take it to the Jets in their backyard and make it difficult for them to travel to Melbourne.
I’d imagine Julia Grosso may get the nod if feeling ready; that alone will be an incredible attacking supplement in itself. As Dario stated midweek, the girls have trained very well and have ‘almost raised the level’, indicating that we’re in the best shape we have been all season.
No matter who lines up against the Jets this afternoon, let’s just hope we get the important win.
History favours us heavily
I had to check this… then double check this… but we’ve never lost to the Jets. Let’s hope not for a massive jinx, but if history is any indicator of the future (which it isn’t), we should feel very confident going into this one.
Of course, recent history matters a whole lot more with our City girls beating the Jets three-two and two-nil this season, with the latter coming not too long ago in March.
It is still an interesting point to discuss, as we can keep one of the most brutal acts of dominance alive by adding more pain to our 13 win, two draws and zero loss record alive against the Newcastle club.
Are the stars aligning?
Our most intense, positive training sessions yet? Tick. Playing against a team who has never beaten us? Tick. Our squad at full strength? You bet.
If it was ever the right time to revisit that almost flawless performance against Adelaide United earlier this season – where we won five-nil – it would be now. Looking back at that game, it felt like we were running on clouds. We could do that again today, no doubt.
Our girls must remain focused and ready for anything, but we know how well this squad can play on their day, and we may just see a massive win to kick-start a huge aggregate advantage when returning home next weekend.
Let’s go City.
Newcastle 1 – 3 City
