W-League: McGuiness looks to future Jets triumphs

Following an upset that the Newcastle Jets are hoping will set the tone of the 2014/15 season, head coach Peter McGuiness now turns his focus to developing on the win that very few people saw coming.

“A new era,” McGuiness said when asked about what he is looking for in this season.

“We have a new team; we have a lot of our old team but a lot of new players as well and there’s a lot of experienced players.”

McGuiness believes that the focus of the season needs to be about bringing the stars of the future together with the international stars in the squad, including captain Emily van Egmond and vice-captain Tara Andrews, both of whom have played on the world stage and have a wealth of knowledge to impart.

“These girls have been involved in battles, they know how to fight.”

“They’ve been in battles in the highest level, whether it be in Emily’s case in the World Cup, or even the American girls that have played in the best women’s league in the world.”

“They’ve been in these kind of situations before and that’s helped a lot for them.”

Recruitment has been integral for McGuiness as he looks to return to form following a forgettable 2013/14 season that saw them take only a single point in the entire competition with a draw in the final day.

“We’ve filled the team with quality players and we’ve made sure that we’ve been organized and disciplined.

“[In the first game] we were really good first half and we were composed enough second half.”

McGuiness has chalked up confidence as a major part of the victory over Melbourne, with many of the younger girls pushed to greater heights when paired with the experienced stars.

“The performances have been great for the girls, they’re over the moon with the first win.

“These new imports have been in massive situations before and they’re bringing experience to the squad.”

Now the future beckons for the season, with the Newcastle Jets boss taking the season one game at a time, but with the freedom of climbing the ladder with him he plans to make sure he doesn’t let a good chance get away from him.

“The team is only as good as the last game,” McGuiness said about the form of the teams in the competition.

“Our last game’s a win,” he added cheekily.

“We’re looking to build on the three points now and improve again.”

McGuiness made sure to single out new recruit Yeoman-Dale after the upset on Saturday, and plans on using her to get affect in the coming games.

“Everyone played well in the win, but I was particularly pleased with Georgia [Yeoman-Dale].

“In the last game she managed to contain one of the best players going around – Lisa De Vanna, and she did it well.”

Already the Newcastle side has tripled their previous season’s final score, and McGuiness, captain Emily van Egmond and the rest of the squad – both new and old – now look to continue their upward path, with their eyes fixed on finals this year and a chance to turn over a new leaf.

It is a new era for the Newcastle Jets and it is shaping up to be an exciting season for the team and spectators alike.