Newcastle Jets coach Ryan Campbell is confident a trip to the west this weekend will bring out the best in his A-League Women’s (ALW) side.

After a hard-fought 2-all draw with the Western Sydney Wanderers in the season opener at the Cessnock Sportsground, the Hunter-based club now heads to Perth for a showdown with the Glory.

It’s not only a chance for the new-look outfit to bond, but also inflict further misery on the home team, which dropped its round fixture 5-2 to Melbourne City.

“With a short pre-season, it’s always a bit iffy about whether you’ve done enough,” he said.

“But, the way we finished the (Wanderers) game and the way we competed right to the last whistle was evidence that we’ve done a really good job from a conditioning point of view.”

Campbell admitted he was very happy with the mindset of the players and their persistence throughout the tough match.

Now, he wants them to build on their weaknesses ahead of the Sunday 10 November clash at HBF Park.

“We’ve had a real focus this week on being braver with the ball, being more confident to play and that will take a little bit of time,” he said.

“It’s difficult to stick to that when you know there’s a result on the line and they’re going to judge you.”

Despite the indifferent start to 2024/25, Newcastle is set on continuing its successful pre-season efforts.

“Confidence is massive,” Campbell said.

“Obviously we won games in pre-season, but we knew those results didn’t mean anything.

“To get the first three points in the competition and get on a bit of a run is an important aspect of what we want to do.

“I think Perth’s a good chance for that this weekend… to go away together, to have an opportunity to play against a team that has the same pressure on them to get a result as well.

“So, a victory is really important to just imbed into us that winning culture and get the players believing 100% in the project and where everything is at.”

Proving themselves in the Jets’ colours against the Wanderers, forward Alexis Collins and defender Josie Wilson look primed for strong years respectively.

“One of the biggest advantages for those two girls is that they worked with me so much for the Academy as well,” Campbell told the Newcastle Weekly.

“They really understand the way in which we want to play from a pressing point of view.

“Both Alexis and Josie spent the whole MPL season playing and doing that.

“Obviously they’ve both got good attributes that allow us to play the way we want to play.

“Going forward for this week, we might need a little difference in regard to the squad because Perth’s not as physical and direct as the Wanderers.

“But, I thought both of them suited how we wanted to play last week.”

Others to impress were Lara Gooch and Knights NRLW star Sheridan Gallagher who helped push the team over the line at the weekend.

However, Campbell is unsure whether they’re ready to leave the bench just yet.

“Both of them have obviously benefitted from another week of training,” he said.

“So, I think they’ll be getting closer towards more match minutes, but they just haven’t played enough in the preseason to probably be starters as yet.

“But, it’s always great to have two players who can have a real effect off the bench.

“And, in a competition where heat has a big factor on the games, it’s terrific to possess people that can come on against tiring defenders and really make a mark.”

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