Jets' captain Hayley Crawford will be crucial | (Credit: Cam Wheeler) Jets' captain Hayley Crawford will be crucial | (Credit: Cam Wheeler)

Time to acquire points is running out for the Melbourne Victory and Newcastle Jets, given that a loss to either team in this battle could see their hopes for a spot in the final four slowly fade away.

Melbourne would be feeling somewhat disheartened after their disappointing 1-0 loss to Perth Glory at home in Week 7, but the Victory’s replacement keeper Brianna Davey can hold her head high after her inspiring performance in goals. On numerous occasions the courageous young talent produced magnificent saves, helping to keep her team’s hopes of winning alive.

While her efforts were exemplary, the Victorian side will be ruing on capitalising on the chances made by Ella Mastrantonio, Ashley Browne and Jodie Taylor.  Melbourne cannot afford to lose this next match, and a win against the Jets could see them leapfrog the Novocastrians on the ladder and move one step closer to the desired fourth position.

"This is a really important away game for us.  It's such a short season and every game counts," said Coach Vicki Linton.  "It will be a really tough match as both teams are battling for spots in the middle of the table."

However this feat will prove difficult given that the Jets won’t be generously handing over their place in fifth like a Christmas gift.  Newcastle were unlucky to lose their last match to Canberra at home, going down 1-0, after retaining a high percentage of possession throughout the match. They’ll need to create something extra special against the girls from Melbourne in order to claim these precious three points.

The last time these two sides met was in Round 5 of Season Two where the Melbourne Victory took home the points with a tight 2 - 1 win at home.  However, this time it will be a different mission with this season's Jets a totally different proposition.