She may be heading into her 11th A-League season, but Newcastle Jets star Cass Davis is still itching to get on the park this weekend.
The former Warners Bay junior will lead the Gary van Egmond-coached outfit into battle against “derby rivals” Central Coast Mariners in the opening round at Industree Group Stadium on Saturday 14 October.
And, the 29-year-old has been buoyed by the positive energy around the playing group in the lead-up to the fixture.
“We enjoyed a pre-season road trip to Tamworth and Gunnedah… and I think that, with several newcomers on board, adds to the excitement,” she told the Newcastle Weekly.
“I’ll admit, it’s a bit sad for me that all my friends have kind of gone on and are now playing somewhere else, so I’ll miss that side of things.
“However, it’s a good opportunity to meet new people and play with quality players as well.
“We’ve struggled the past few years and you don’t want to stick in a team for 11 years and not win something.
“So, what Gary’s done is he’s brought in girls who are going to be winners, players who want to get better.
“It might be a new-look side.
We’ve got goal scorers, we’ve got people who are ruthless in defence and we’ve got those who want to run and work hard for the badge.
Cass Davis
“But, it’s exciting and I think each game is going to be different because we’re just going to keep growing and growing as we play matches.
“I’m really looking forward to getting out there in round one against the Mariners.
“We haven’t had that derby before and, although we played a mini trial game against them in Tamworth, it was good to use that weekend to bond together off the field.
“We’ve only known some of these girls for a few weeks, so there’s a lot to work on that side of things too, as well as the on pitch.
“However, I’m confident Gary and the staff will have us ready.”
Davis, named captain of the Jets on Wednesday night, is convinced Newcastle can launch a serious challenge in the A-League Women’s (ALW).
“I believe we’re a realistic chance,” she said.
“I think the squad that Gary and the staff have put together is going to be the perfect fit.
“We’ve got goal scorers, we’ve got people who are ruthless in defence and we’ve got those who want to run and work hard for the badge.
“That’s Gary as a coach, too.
“I know you don’t come into a team with him and think it’s going to be easy.
“So, whenever things are difficult, whenever there’s hard times, challenging times, they’re going to make you grow and make you better players and better people.
“That’s what Gary will bring out of everyone.
“Honestly, I’m sick of playing and not winning and coming at the bottom of the table.
“I believe the people who have supported the women’s side from day one, for a very long time, deserve for us to do better and they deserve for us to make semi-finals.
“Hopefully, we can do that as well.”
For more sports stories:
- REAL NRL: Garth Brennan answers Rebels yell for new coach
- CSDCA: Hat-tricks welcome dawn of new cricket competition
- Gary van Egmond: Jets ready to kick off A-League seasons
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