Lauren Allan is still pinching herself.
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The lightning quick Kahibah junior, who turns 23 on Thursday, is expected to be named in the Jets' opening round squad and could make her W-League debut against a star-studded Melbourne City at No.2 Sportsground on Sunday.
"It's been a pretty surreal experience," Allan told the Newcastle Herald.
"Even playing in the Sydney trial down at Wagga against [Matildas] Alanna [Kennedy] and Chloe [Logarzo]. They're still idols to me, so just playing against them was a big shock but I loved it so much."
The Jets have no big-name signings and no imports for a season which coach Craig Deans said will be built on hard work.
It has been through hard work that Allan has realised her W-League dream.
She did not come through the Emerging Jets program like many of her teammates, instead heading to the United States after high school to play college football.
Allan caught Deans' eye while playing for minor premiers and champions New Lambton in the Herald Women's Premier League this season and was offered a trial before being signed.
"It was a shock and when Craig called me I was kind of speechless," Allan said.
"It's still a shock but I'm mainly proud of myself to have made it. I know it's going to be hard, fighting for a starting spot, but I'm just trying to tell myself, 'You made it, enjoy it'."
Allan was rested due to hamstring tightness when Newcastle had a final pre-season hit-out against an Australian Defence Force side last weekend.
"Lauren's super-fit and was really lively against Sydney and caused them some trouble with her speed and showed she'll be an effective weapon for us if we can get her fit and out there on the weekend," Deans said.
"She's worked hard to get where she is and she wants to be here."
If Allan does step onto the field in front of family and friends on Sunday, she plans to savour the occasion.
"I think it will hit me hard," Allan said. "But when it happens I just want to enjoy it and take in that moment because moments like that don't really come along often.
"[This season] I'm definitely looking for that starting spot but I just want to work hard and prove myself to the girls and to Craig that I can be in this environment and I can play in this league."
Allan and Jets teammate Tara Andrews formed a ruthless attacking combination for New Lambton in WPL, scoring 81 goals between them. It is an exciting prospect for the Jets if they can recreate that form in the W-League.
"We definitely did well this season," Allan said. "We just play off each other really well. She loves it to her feet, I'm more off the ball, so it just comes naturally and we can read each other well.
"Hopefully we can bring that to this season but, again, it's just work hard and see if it gels."
The Jets' round-one match on Sunday kicks off at 6pm.
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