Battered Newcastle Jets skipper Kosta Grozos is positive his team-mates will erase the disappointment of their heartbreaking Boxing Day loss in New Zealand this week.

After trailing 4-2 against Macarthur at McDonald Jones Stadium on 26 December, Mark Milligan’s boys fought back to draw level 4-all, only to see the Bulls score late in controversial circumstances to prevail 5-4.

The defeat clearly stung the local outfit, which dropped out of the A-League Men’s (ALM) top six and into ninth spot.

“Obviously, conceding five at home is not the way you want to go,” the midfielder said.

“When you score four yourself, you think you’re going to win.

“We were set up properly but, just mentally, we weren’t there first and second balls, we sort of fell to them and didn’t get into position early.

“It’s something we needed to look at… and we have.

“For us, it’s put to bed now.

“I’m sure the focus is being on top of that [against Auckland FC].”

For Grozos himself, the 25-year-old has been battling a shoulder injury, which adds to the pain, too.

“It’s okay, just a little niggle that’s gone on for a while,” he said.

“But, it is nothing that I can’t overcome.

“Thankfully, you don’t need your shoulder in football as much other sports.

“It’ll be fine with a bit of rehab.

“We’re all good to go.”

That means travelling “over the ditch” for the third time in six weeks to tackle the Kiwis at Go Media Stadium on Thursday 1 January.

Albeit Newcastle is expected to be missing in-form Daniel Wilmering and 2024/25 Player of the Year Thomas Aquilina.

When the two ALM combatants met at the same venue last month, the Jets stunned the ladder-leaders 2-1 in atrocious conditions.

“We know they’ll be ready for us,” Grozos said.

“However, our blueprint doesn’t change too much… in the way we play, the style of football we want to play.

“We must break down the opposition though and do what we need to do.

“Because, when we stick to our game plan – with the right mentality and intensity, we’ve shown we can match it with whoever.

“Losing Dan and Tommy is a blow but when one door closes, another one opens.

“We have players fighting for positions here, so I’m sure that whoever comes in will grab that opportunity with both hands.

“Lachie Bayliss could fill the breach, while Kota Mizunuma and Max Burgess trained strongly as well.

“All those guys bring a different dynamic and element to the team.

“They also provide a lot of energy and experience to the side.”

One personal achievement, which almost slipped under the radar, was Grozos registering his 100th appearance with Newcastle.

“It was a very proud moment,” he admitted.

“I’ve said this a million times… when I first came here in 2020/21, I didn’t know what to expect.

“So, to hit 100 games, it’s a massive milestone for myself and for my family.

“I guess the sky’s the limit now,” he laughed.

“However, so much has changed in that period, it’s crazy.

“It goes by so quickly but you remember so much.

“We’ve come a long way over the years, especially this season.

“The growth and the path that we’re on… the opportunities are endless.”

And, despite the topsy-turvy nature of the competition, Grozos remains confident the Jets will play finals footy in 2025/26.

“Unfortunately, matches like last week are always going to happen,” he told the Newcastle Weekly.

“Plus, there’s no easy fixtures in the ALM.

“There’ll be times when you’re not travelling the best and we won’t get the results we want.

“Sometimes we’ll play well and the same thing will happen.

“Then there’s days where everything clicks.

“That’s football… and it’s why it’s the best sport in the world.

“I’m certain we’ll bounce back, and we’ll be ready for the challenge, starting New Year’s Day.”

The match kicks off from 3pm.

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• Milligan refuses to blame match officials for Jets’ shock loss

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