Tara Andrews and Gema Simon are in for the Newcastle Jets ahead of the 2018/19 Westfield W-League season.
The two experienced campaigners – one of whom finished in the top two goal scorers in the Northern NSW WPL – are back in for the Jets ahead of their November 1 season opener against Melbourne Victory.
This makes it two more big names returning to the Newcastle Jets Westfield W-League side for 2018/19, with plenty more announcements on the way.
SIGNINGS: Two attacking weapons back in 2018/19
FIXTURES: Key matches to catch this season
The pair both played six games each for Newcastle last season, as Andrews returned from a year away from football, while Simon’s season was heavily impacted by injury.
Tara Andrews featured for New Lambton in the club’s debut year in the Northern NSW WPL and was one of the side’s key attackers, showcasing why she’s one of the region’s premier players.
In her 16 appearances for the club, she netted 17 goals and finished as the second-highest goalscorer in the competition.
Gema Simon was limited to six games in Jets colours last season due to injury, following her return from Norway’s Avaldsnes, which again hampered her throughout the Northern NSW WPL season for South Wallsend.
The former skipper did manage to play seven matches at the back-end of the year for the Wolves, scoring twice for the semi-finalists.
Newcastle Jets W-League Coach, Craig Deans was looking forward to having the attacking mettle of Andrews and Simon back in the mix.
“Tara is a quality player in the final third and Gema likes to get forward and attack from the backline, and I’m looking forward to seeing what they can both offer us this season,” Deans said.
“Last season was tough for them in different respects, Gema had to manage a knee injury and Tara had to settle back into the physical rigours of a professional football club – they’ll be better for those experiences and both return in good shape for 2018/19.
“They’re two senior members of our squad, have both represented Australia and possess the type of knowledge we want to impart on our younger players.
“Beyond that experience and knowledge, Tara and Gema are two outstanding characters and their inclusion significantly strengthens our squad.”
