ROY O'Donovan is weighing up offers from four A-League clubs and expects to make decision on his future during a flight back to Ireland.
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"I'm in a great position option-wise," said O'Donovan, who is returning to Cork on Saturday night for a holiday with his family.
"I just want to make sure it is the right step for me and the family. On the flight home, when I am away from all the distractions, I can weigh up everything. It's an important move."
O'Donovan spent Friday packing up his house in readiness for a move. While family is at the forefront of his mind, his decision will also be based on football.
"As a striker, you have to think where are you going to get the most service, where are you going to have the best chance of making the finals?," he said. "It's a decision I wasn't expecting to have to make a couple of months ago, but here we are."
Talks with the Jets broke down a fortnight ago. The sticking point was a year-one trigger, based on goals, that would have enacted a second year. After protracted discussions, the Jets made a final offer of a one-year deal only to withdraw it after O'Donovan requested more time to mull it over.
O'Donovan has been linked to Western Sydney, Central Coast and Brisbane.
"One of those has disappeared and two others have surfaced," O'Donovan's agent Paddy Dominguez said. "He has four offers, they are all for two years and all for more money. He just has to decide where he wants to live."
O'Donovan leaves the Jets after a two-season stint that produced 20 goals in 35 games, second only to Joel Griffiths (31) on the club's all-time scoring list.
The Jets' lack of punch in front of goals was the reason for their slide from second to seventh this season.
As well O'Donovan, marquee midfielder Ronny Vargas and fellow South American Jair have departed.
The Jets, who will operate under the $3.2 million salary cap next season, have about $500,000 to spend on two players and will be relying on the likes of young guns Joe Champness and Angus Thurgate to step up.
Despite limited funds to strengthen the squad, former Socceroos and A-League coach Dave Mitchell believes the Jets will make the finals next season.
Mitchell and Liverpool great Craig Johnston were special guests at the Rangers of 1884 Club A-League grand final luncheon on Friday.
"There is some money problems with the owner tightening the belt," Mitchell said. "In general, I think you have to go with youth and Ernie Merrick has always done well developing youth. He is a good coach technically and he gives young players the confidence to come through. Getting the big stars is always a bit of a risk.
"With Lawrie McKinna in the front office, he and Ernie are a good combination. Next year, I think they will make the six."
Mitchell spent three years at the helm of Perth Glory from 2007 and believes his old club can beat Sydney FC in the grand final on Sunday and claim a maiden A-League championships.
Jet keeper Glen Moss, who also spoke at the lunch, simply wishes he was playing in the decider.
"That is obviously where everyone wants to be," Moss said. "I don't think anyone can argue about the two teams who have qualified. They have been the most consistent and best performing teams over the season. If we can take anything out of the game, it is using is as a carrot to want to get back there.
"The brand of football we were playing wasn't too bad and there are a lot of stats to back that up. We conceded a goal less than last year. When you sit down and do a review and look at those things ... we don't have to make massive changes to the way we play or the way the club is run."
