NICK Fitzgerald has watched in admiration as Dimiti Petratos' career has "taken off" in the past two years at the Jets.
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The pair came through juniors together at the NSW Institute Sport and Blacktown and were teammates at the Young Socceroos and Olyroos.
Now they are reunited at the Jets after Fitzgerald signed a two-year deal last week.
"Dimitri and I first teamed up when we were 13 and it's great to be back together again," Fitzgerald said. "Hopefully we still have that chemistry. Seeing how his career has really taken off in the last two years, it's a good indication on what [Jets coach] Ernie Merrick can do for a player. Dimi is one of the best Australian players in the league now."
Petratos is not the only player whose career has progressed under Merrick. Andrew Nabbout, Jason Hoffman and Joe Champness are among other success stories.
Fitzgerald, who was released one year into a three-year deal at Western Sydney Wanderers, is keen to add his name to the list.
"It didn't go according to plan at the Wanderers," Fitzgerald said. "I signed a three-year deal under Gosep Gombau. Things changed, a new coach came in and they wanted to go in a direction that didn't involve me.
"There were a few option but the Jets were the best. The style of play that they like to play and the way they sold it to me, I couldn't resist coming up here. It is obviously a fantastic place to live as well, which is great for my family."
The Jets, under Merrick, play a fast-paced attacking game. They scored a club record 57 goals in the 2017-18 campaign in his first year. While they only scored 40 last season, it was still among the club's most productive.
"The thing I like about Ernie is that he has brought in players who suit his style of play," Fitzgerald said. "He doesn't sign players and then try to fit them in one way or another. He is very attacking and he gives you a lot of freedom in the front third to show what you can do."
Fitzgerald, 27, arrives in Newcastle having won championship at Brisbane and the Mariners. He has played 169 games but in recent seasons has been use more as an impact player.
"It is easy to say, you are going to do this and that," Fitzgerald said. "The one thing I can guarantee Ernie is that I will give 100 per cent on and off the pitch. I pride myself on being a good role model off the pitch as well.
"The first thing for me is to get a spot in the starting line up."
The Jets start pre-season training on Monday. Their first competitive game is away to Melbourne Victory in the FFA Cup round of 32 on August 7.
The club also announced on Friday they will play in the inaugural Surf City Cup against Perth Glory and Brisbane on the Gold Coast from September 1-3.
