Head coach Jeff Hopkins admits Melbourne Victory need to quickly put the hurt of their derby demolition behind them in order to punch their ticket to the Westfield W-League Finals Series.
Victory were pummelled 4-0 last week by runaway competition juggernauts Melbourne City at Lakeside Stadium and their bitter crosstown rivals went on to capture the Premiers Plate which they had lifted 12 months ago.
Fifth-placed Brisbane Roar are breathing down fourth-placed Victory’s neck, three points behind with two games to play, as the two contenders scrap it out for a Finals Series berth.
And Hopkins knows Victory cannot afford a hangover from last week’s humbling when they travel to the Hunter to face Newcastle Jets on Sunday.
“It's going to be a tough proposition for us,” Hopkins told melbournevictory.com.au
“But if we want to make finals and we're serious about being in the finals and getting a finals berth then we need to be able to go to Newcastle and win the game and that's obviously what we're planning to do.
“Obviously after last week we're hurting a little bit so we'll be going out there with all guns blazing."
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More motivation to win the match against the competition’s eighth-placed side is to celebrate a special occasion for a pair of Victory centurions.
Goalkeeper Casey Dumont and midfielder Amy Jackson will bring up 100 Westfield W-League matches in the Round 13 encounter and Hopkins paid tribute to the experienced duo.
“One hundred games is a huge achievement, it's a massive milestone, more so I think in the women's games because the Westfield W-League is only 12 games long, plus finals,” Hopkins added.
“Both of them have been around a long time and have been very, very consistent, that's why they're still around, and both of them are having really good seasons this year as well.
“I think everyone at the club is really pleased for them, really proud of them and it will be good to celebrate with them this weekend.”
TEAM NEWS: Westfield W-League Ins and Outs - Round 13
ROUND 13: How to watch the upcoming round of Westfield W-League
Round 13
Newcastle Jets v Melbourne Victory
Sunday, 23 February 2020
Kick-off: 4.00pm AEDT
Venue: No. 2 Sportsground
Broadcast: ABC TV, FOX Sports
Stream: MyFootball Live App, Kayo Sports
