The Jets slipped to sixth, three points below the W-League top four, with a 2-0 loss to champions Sydney on Sunday and they could drop further with round-six results this weekend.

But the week off also provides a chance to reset ahead of what could prove a pivotal stretch in which Newcastle face mid-table rivals Brisbane and Melbourne Victory before winless Adelaide.

"The break now could benefit us," Copus-Brown said. "We were very fatigued [against Sydney]. We were very flat and we have a few niggling injuries as well, so it could help us a little bit to regroup for next week."

Strike weapon Teigan Collister missed the Sydney game because of hamstring tightness and left-back Gema Simon came off at half-time with a knee complaint.

Newcastle started with a draw against Melbourne City and they are the only side to take points off the unbeaten leaders this season. However, their only other points have come via a win over Perth.

"The result against City was a really positive result and we need to improve on that and next time maybe beat them," Copus-Brown said. "But we need to be better and a bit more consistent. The season is far from over, but in saying that, we can't really afford to lose many more games."

The 22-year-old has turned heads with her form. The loss of Emily van Egmond and Arin Gilliland-Wright opened the door for Copus-Brown to become a starting midfielder and she has seized the opportunity.

"I've put in a lot more effort than I have in previous seasons and I think that's paying off," she said. "It obviously helps that I'm getting a lot of game time as well, which is good. I realised this year that I want to put my foot down and really make an effort and make a career out of this."

"I really enjoyed playing with some of the players we had last year, the internationals. It was really good experience, and then knowing that we weren't going to have any this year was a good time for me to step up and cement a spot in the starting 11."