This weekend our Newcastle Jets look to return to action after six weeks off the pitch due to a COVID-forced break and our team are excited.
While the long break has been frustrating for players and fans, the squad have used this time to further improve in various areas with the help of numerous inter-club games.
Our men have not only been focused on improving their combinations and team efforts, but also as individuals as they all continue to compete for starting positions ready for the season’s recommencement.
Young winger Sam Silvera has featured in all five matches so far this season, however all of those have been from the substitute bench.
The 21-year-old joined the Jets on loan from his Portugese club Pacos de Ferriera, and is committed to making an impact on the field.
“Being back in Australia, it was my plan to come and get game time and that’s what I’m getting,” Silvera said.
“I’m happy to play any role that the boss wants me to play, to put my best foot forward and give everything I can on the pitch.
“I’m confident in the way I’m playing.”
Although the team look to undergo a busy schedule in the coming months, the electric wide-man said the team’s top efforts at training during the break will set them up well.
“We obviously haven’t been able to play the games we wanted to, but it’s been a good opportunity to work on ourselves and become better as a team,” he said.
“The last five or six weeks have felt a little bit like pre-season. But everyone is just really eager to get back out there and in front of the fans.
“It’s going to be a busy schedule and it’s going to be a test. But over the past five, six weeks, we’ve been pushing ourselves and working hard so we can cope.”
If this Sunday manages to proceed as scheduled, not only will it mark the return of our side, but also the return of hometown hero Taylor Regan, who once captained the Club back in 2015.
Silvera mentioned the big impact that Regan has already had on the team, and is looking forward to being on the pitch with him.
“It’s really good. He’s been in and around the changeroom, but on the pitch, you can just tell he’s a leader,” he said.
“He commands it from the back, he talks, he helps you out – it’s great. He’s another leader in the team and he’s a local guy as well so that’s even better.”
The youngster may be on loan until the end of the season, but he isn’t looking too far into the future and instead is committed to the job at hand.
His goal at the start of the season was to collect as much game time as he could, but he wants to turn those minutes into goals and assists for his team.
“My main focus is finishing off the season well and getting as much game time as I can,” he said. “I’m just going to focus on the here-and-now.
“That’s what I’m trying to do every game – trying to put the ball in the back of the net, or make a situation for a teammate to put the ball in the net. I’ve just got to do my best as soon as I’m on the park.
“Hopefully once I do get that assist or goal, they’ll just keep flowing.”
