For the last six seasons, Gema Simon and Hannah Brewer called the central coast of NSW their home. Both were foundation players and stalwarts for the Newcastle Jets, but this season they headed south, joining Melbourne Victory on their quest for back to back championships.

Simon, was the captain last season at Newcastle, notching up 68 appearances and is a two time best and fairest winner. Brewer was the vice captain, took out Jets player of the year in 2012/2013 and made her Matildas debut in the Cyprus Cup in March 2014.

We caught up with Gema and Hannah to see how things are going in Melbourne in the lead up to the Round 1 clash against their old team, Newcastle Jets.

Firstly, how did the move to Melbourne Victory come about?

Hannah Brewer (HB): Steph Catley spoke to me about moving down here and prior to that at a Matildas camp I was speaking to Lisa De Vanna about the possibility of moving down here. Obviously without Jess (Samuelsson) returning back as the right back, they were looking for a position to fill. Steph passed my email onto Joe (Montemurro) and then he got in contact with me and we went from there.

Gema Simon (GS): I guess I just wanted something different. I played for Newcastle for the past six years. I wanted to develop more as a player. I haven’t really been challenged for a starting spot at Newcastle for a couple of years so I wanted a change and to have to earn my spot again. Also team success really.

I want to win games. The last couple of season (at Newcastle), they have been tough. We didn’t win a lot of games. I love playing and I guess I just wasn’t enjoying losing every weekend. If you’re not enjoying it, there’s not really any point doing it.

The move was for the love of the game. I wanted to enjoy it again, to develop as a player and try something new.

Was there a specific reason you chose Victory? Did you consider other clubs?

HB: I considered moving to Canberra or over to Perth, so it was just finding an environment that was going to challenge me and take me to that next level.

brewer-v-newcastle Brewer and De Vanna: From foes to friends

At Newcastle I was one of the leaders there so it was very hard to be looking up towards someone and pushing myself when the girls were looking up to someone like me because that’s all we had there.

GS: I spoke to a few clubs but Melbourne were successful over the last couple of years playing finals football. I just want to play finals football again.

Victory have been consistently making finals for the last couple of years so I thought they were a successful club. Also, I haven’t really seen a lot of Melbourne so I thought it would be a good chance to see the city. I spoke to Joe (Montemurro) and he said some good things about Melbourne.

Now that you’ve been here training during the preseason, are there any key differences you have noticed at Melbourne compared to Newcastle?

HB: I think that training here in Melbourne, the intensity is so high and everyone is working for each other. If someone makes a bad ball, everyone says pick it up or work off each other and I think that works well and that’s what builds a team environment.

If everyone is there for each other that team will go far and I think that’s what I really noticed a lot here. It’s not because we didn’t have players like that in Newcastle, it’s because the players here are experienced players and there’s not as much youth in the team here as there was in Newcastle.

GS: I just want to be in a good training environment and I heard from a couple of the girls that the training environment down here is quality so that was a big thing for me.

What did you learn in the hard times with the Newcastle Jets that you can bring as a positive into Melbourne?

GS: Just to stick together no matter what.  In Newcastle last year, even though we lost every game, the girls stuck together and we started to build a culture there. No matter what, even when we’re down, just keep going to the end … don’t stop.

Do you have some specific individual goals on your to-do list?

HB: For sure. I was in the cut of the Matildas squad but didn’t make that last cut to go over to Vietnam (for the Asian Cup). Being in camps is a big one for me and I’d like to stick in there and push for a position or just to be in the training squad is a goal of mine because when you’re in there, you’re obviously in with half a chance.

I would also like to build my own game and take it to the next level whether through confidence or ball skills.

GS: For this season I just want to play well here in Melbourne and see what happens with the national team afterwards. I’m hoping to stay in the squad. I’m trying to stay injury free and play well.

What’s it like living in Melbourne?

HB: The weather has been off and on but I’m loving Melbourne. I’m living with Beattie Goad, they’re awesome and making me feel really welcome so it has been an easy move.

In round 1 this season you will be coming up against your old team. What does that mean to you? Will it be an emotional event?

HB: It’s going to be a tough game heading back home. I played with Newcastle for six years. I would have loved to have stayed loyal to that club, but I think for my own goals it was best that I moved away.

It’s going to be tough with the home crowd but I think a tough game is a good game. Newcastle have got a good side this year and it will be a challenge and I think we’re up for it.

GS: I’ve tried not to really think about it. It will be great in the sense that I get to play in my home town with my family and friends being able to watch, so that will be huge just to see the family again.

I guess I just have to take it like any other game. Newcastle are now the opposition. As soon as I walk over the white line, my loyalty lies with Victory.

Before you get on the pitch versus when you get on the pitch, are there different things going through your mind?

HB: I tend to get a little bit nervous heading to the field, but once I’m there and once I can settle down and focus on the game I’m fine. It will definitely be different walking in to what used to be my home pitch.

Simon to face the team she captained in Season 6 Simon to face the team she captained in Season 6

The thoughts will obviously be different because I won’t be focusing on a home game. I think once I’m there in the shed with the girls preparing for match day, my game day head will come on. I will be focused ready to play whether it’s against my old team, or any other team.

GS: I’m not sure if I will be staying with the team or if I can go home for a little bit. If I do get to go home that will help because I like to play FIFA on game day in the morning. That’s one of my game day rituals. Heading back will probably hit me when I get to the airport and when I get on the bus to drive to Newcastle. I’ve never done that before.

I’m normally not the kind of person who gets nervous before a game so I will just get there and do what I normally do and then just get a good first touch and that really settles me.

Do you think you will have an advantage given you know Newcastle so well?

HB: I wouldn’t say that because the squad for Newcastle is so different this year. I haven’t had a great deal of contact with the players back there so I’m not entirely sure who is playing where and what formation they’re playing.

GS: The squad has changed a lot and we’re just kind of focused on our squad, our game and what we can control rather than focusing on the other team. We’ve had a good preparation leading up to the first game this weekend.

Finally, do you have a prediction for the match?

HB: I have a good feeling about Round 1. I’m obviously looking for a win and I’m playing for a team that does that well. Melbourne Victory could be up!

GS: Melbourne to win! I think it will be a good game. I’m looking forward to it.

Melbourne for three points. That’s all I want. I look forward to playing my first home game for Victory in Round two in front of the fans. That will be a good feeling.