Jets give signings shot at W-League

It is a mixed group but one with a common goal of lifting the Newcastle Jets off the bottom of the W-League ladder this season.

Former Matildas representative Georgia Yeoman-Dale, long-time Jets striker Tara Andrews, Emerging Jets product Hannah Southwell and Sydneysider Emma Stanbury were announced as signings yesterday.

It was a second round of recruitment announcements after Matildas vice-captain Emily van Egmond, returning striker Rhali Dobson and ex-international Amber Neilson were unveiled last month.

A further two rounds of recruitment news, likely to include American Tori Huster and Queenslander Ashley Spina, are expected before the season starts on September 13 at Magic Park against Melbourne Victory.

Huster and van Egmond were at the Jets in 2012-13 before they moved to Western Sydney Wanderers last season. Spina was one of three Queenslanders who came to the Jets last season and has since played alongside Andrews with Colorado Pride in America.

Of the new faces yesterday, Yeoman-Dale is the most exciting for the Jets. The 20-year-old forward has moved from home-town club Canberra, where she spent 3½ years, looking for more game time after predominantly coming off the bench last season.

Capped twice in 2012, Yeoman-Dale is aiming to push back into the Matildas squad with a prominent role at the Jets.

"Canberra are always going to have a good team, but sometimes it's important to make changes for yourself rather than just getting stuck doing the same thing every year," Yeoman-Dale said.

Coach Peter McGuinness was "over the moon" to snare Yeoman-Dale.

"She's got so many attributes as a footballer. She's quick, her feet are good, she's aggressive and she looks to always play," McGuinness said. "She's a very good player."

The other new face is 22-year-old Stanbury, who plays with North West Sydney in the NSW Premier League and has twice had her hopes of a Jets contract ruined by quadriceps injuries.

Southwell, 15, will become the youngest shot-stopper in W-League history after gaining a senior contract following two failed attempts last year to have age restrictions waived.

Andrews, 20, has turned down an offer from Sydney FC to stay with her home-town club and continue her university studies after a stint playing in the US.

The Jets finished with only one point last season and have lost their captain and vice-captain from that campaign, Gema Simon and Hannah Brewer, to Victory.

Meanwhile, the Herald Women's Premier League regular season concludes tomorrow with the final positions all but locked in.

Minor premiers Adamstown travel to Taree Zone Field to play Football Mid North Coast and Thornton host the Under-18 Emerging Jets, who will finish second.

Third-placed Merewether play Valentine (fourth) at Baxter Field holding a three-point and nine-goal lead.