The Newcastle Jets are determined to end Emily van Egmond’s brief A-League Women’s (ALW) stint on a victorious note this weekend.
Not long after the FIFA World Cup, the Matildas superstar signed on for a four-match deal with her home club in 2023/24.
Sadly, for the Hunter organisation and local fans, that partnership finishes following Sunday’s clash with Western United at No. 2 Sportsground on 17 December.
But, Jets skipper Cass Davis is resolute in celebrating the occasion by obtaining the three competition points.
“Emily’s been awesome, on and off the field,” she said.
“She’s a great role model, especially for all the young girls that we have in the team.
“Not only that… she brings so much experience to every facet, whether it’s game day, at training or football clinics in the community.
“Emily’s also helped several players in the squad, which will hold us in good stead when she leaves.
“We wish we could have her for more, but we understand that she’s got other things she needs to do, like rest her body and enjoy some family time.
“It would be terrific to get a win to celebrate her departure.
“So, I’m expecting everyone to lift for this fixture.”
Davis has played alongside van Egmond more than anyone on the ALW scene.
And, she’s fully aware of what qualities the 30-year-old brings to the side… and Newcastle.
“We’re so lucky that we could have someone of Emily’s calibre, and after a World Cup, come back and play for her local town,” the captain said.
“She’s really brought the crowd in as well.
“I think that helps having someone like her [here].
“All the girls and boys want to come watch her, which is great.
“The product’s been good, too, and the matches exciting.
“Even last weekend, no one really commented about us losing, everyone just said how amazing the game was.”
She’s a great role model, especially for all the young girls that we have in the team.
Cass Davis
Davis, van Egmond and the rest of the Jets’ ALW squad caught up with more than 200 fans at No. 2 Sportsground during the week.
In a sign of the times, the clinic sold out in four hours.
“Yeah, these kinds of events – supported by Greater Bank – have definitely increased in numbers over the past six months,” Davis told the Newcastle Weekly.
“It’s really good to see all the kids, boys and girls, out here and loving football, loving women’s football.
“In fact, you hear a lot of the boys saying their favourite player is a female player.
“That didn’t happen before.
“So, it’s fantastic to witness that reaction.”
After dropping the previous round to Sydney FC 1-0, the 10th placed Jets hope to respond in the best possible fashion at No. 2 Sportsground.
Although Western United sits in fifth spot on the ladder, only a solitary triumph separates the combatants.
“It’s very important to win, especially in front of our home crowd,” Davis said.
“I thought we were a bit unlucky [against Sydney].
“So, we want to come out on Sunday and give our supporters a big victory and lots of goals.
“It’s imperative that we reflect [on last weekend] and see where we went wrong, what we can do better and what we can do to beat Western United.
“Our football’s been good; it’s just that final little thing that we’re letting ourselves down.
“If we can stick to what we’re doing and keep focusing on the game plan, we’ll be fine.”
Newcastle Jets v Western United
(Sunday 17 December, No. 2 Sportsground)
ALW: 5pm
- Newcastle Jets squad: 1. Izzy Nino, 2. Josie Wilson, 3. Claudia Cicco, 4. Natasha Prior, 5. Emily van Egmond, 6. Cassidy Davis, 7. Gema Simon, 9. MelindaJ Barbieri, 11. Sarina Bolden, 13. Lauren Allan, 14. Melina Ayres, 15. Alex Huynh, 18. Sophie Hoban, 19. Bonnie Davies, 21. Kiara Rochaix, 22. Lorena Baumann, 23. Zoe Karipidis, 24. Milan Hammond, 25. Lara Gooch, 28. Emma Dundas
- Western United squad: 1. Alyssa Dall’oste, 2. Stacey Papadopoulos, 4. Jaclyn Sawicki, 6. Chloe Logarzo, 9. Hannah Keane, 10. Kahli Johnson, 11. Emma Robers, 12. Lucy Richards, 13. Avaani Prakash, 14. Natasha Dakic, 15. Adriana Taranto, 16. Melissa Taranto, 18. Grace Maher, 19. Tyla Jay Vlajnic, 20. Keiwa Hieda, 21. Hillary Beall, 22. Alana Cerne, 24. Julia Sardo
For more sports stories:
- ALM: In-form Jets in safe hands with Ryan Scott
- GALLERY: Hundreds turn up to play ball with Jets stars
- REAL NRL: Season opener a ‘kind of magic’
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