Photo Credit: Emily Mogic Photography

There was a stark contrast between the Newcastle Jets and Melbourne Victory’s 2013/14 season fortunes - polar opposites in fact.

Whilst the Jets remained stranded on the tarmac, the Victory were the ones who flew highest, standing up when it counted.

They say you have to lose a Grand Final to win one and Melbourne did exactly that defeating two time champion Brisbane Roar and writing the wrong that was the 2013 Grand Final loss.

Melbourne will start favourites considering their fine undefeated record against Newcastle. Only one of those meetings has been in Newcastle, which ended in a 4-1 win for the eventual champions thanks largely to a Lisa De Vanna master class.

This year’s line up is not the same Newcastle Jets.

Peter McGuiness has overseen the recruitment of a range of experienced players to bolster the squad in areas such as midfield, to complement the talented youth already there.

Newcastle certainly have the talent to push Melbourne right to the wire as reflected by Tara Andrews:

“It will be a very tough game playing the defending champions but we have the squad complete now so it will be a good test for us to see where we are at. Having the Americans will give us more quality.” Jets vice-Captain Tara Andrews.

For Melbourne Lisa De Vanna is the key. She tore Newcastle apart the last time they met, scoring 3 goals and setting up Steph Catley.

Having forged a fantastic combination with Jess Fishlock last season it will be interesting to see how De Vanna goes with a new combination in Christine Nairn.

The key to the Jets success will be their midfield. Last season the Jets struggled to create chances for their forwards and have recruited heavily to correct this. Matildas star Emily Van Egmond, along with Americans Angela Salem and Tori Huster will no doubt help the Jets provide good service for the strikers and will allow the Jets to keep pace and control the tempo.

With the experienced Hayley Crawford and Amber Neilson along with WNSL winner Kathrine Reynolds leading the backline the Jets look a stronger side across all areas of the park.

The best way to prepare for finals football is to play tough matches and the Jets will relish the chance to test their credentials against the benchmark of the competition.

Newcastle Jets v Melbourne Victory

Saturday 13 September 2014

Magic Park, Newcastle

Local kick-off: 11am

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Newcastle Jets squad: 2. Georgia Yeoman-Dale,  3. Hayley Crawford, 4. Ashley Spina, 5. Katherine Reynolds, 6. Angela Salem, 7. Tori Huster, 8. Amber Neilson, 9. Tara Andrews, 10. Emily van Egmond, 11. Rhali Dobson, 15. Libby Copus-Brown, 16. Cassidy Davis, 17. Grace Macintyre, 20. Claire Coelho (GK), 21. Renee Rudder (GK)

Unavailable: Hannah Southwell (overseas), Sophie Nenadovic (hip)

Melbourne Victory squad: 1. Brianna DAVEY (GK), 2. Hannah BREWER, 6. Gema SIMON, 7. Stephanie CATLEY (C), 8. Amy JACKSON, 9. Racheal QUIGLEY, 10. Christine NAIRN, 11. Lisa DE VANNA, 12. Ella MASTRANTONIO, 14. Tiffany ELIADIS, 15. Emma CHECKER, 16. Beatrice GOAD, 17. Gulcan KOCA, 19. Maika RUYTER-HOOLEY, 20. Cassandra DIMOVSKI (GK)

Unavailable: Lauren Barnes (overseas - 2 weeks), Elli Reed (overseas - 2 weeks)