BIG players live for big moments and Jets assistant coach Clayton Zane expects talisman Dimi Petratos and hired gun Abdiel Arroyo to deliver against the Mariners at Central Coast Stadium on Saturday night.
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Petratos returned from Socceroos' duties in Chinese Taipei on Thursday, leaving one training session to prepare for the Jets' season-opener.
"Big players come out when the pressure is on," said Zane, who leaves the Jets after the derby to begin his role as Northern NSW Football Technical Director.
"Dimi likes pressure and being the main man in the team. Last season he had more shots on target than anyone in the league. Statistics don't always tell the full story. Dimi is always in and around the box. His output in the front third is very good and we need to capitalise on what he delivers. I also think Dimi can add more goals to his tally."
Arroyo has shrugged off a minor hamstring complaint and will make his A-League debut at the point of the attack.
"Arroyo has settled in well," Zane said. "We have worked on getting him outside the centrebacks and making forward runs. His biggest asset is his pace. I think he is really beginning to understand what we require of him.
"He gives you something without the ball as well. As a first-line defender, he is excellent at pressing. He is a really hungry striker, who chases things down and creates goals on his own as well scoring with one and two touch finishes."
Petratos, a finalist for the Johnny Warren Medal in 2018, didn't take the field for the Socceroos in their big wins over Nepal (5-0) and Chinese Taipei (7-1), which Zane believes will only fuel the playmaker's hunger.
"The first thing I said to him this morning was that you are better to be a part of it and get no game time, than be sitting here and wondering what if when you are not included," Zane said.
"By being selected, he knows he is in Graham Arnold's plans. He gets to train with better players and see the level he needs to get to. There are only benefits from him travelling even without game time."
Arroyo is one of four players alongside Nick Fitzgerald, Matt Millar and Bobby Burns playing their first derby for the Jets.
The remainder of the squad is settled.
"This group has been together three years bar a couple of additions. You always have a bit of player movement but it has been a really settled squad," Zane said.
"It has been a well structured pre-season. We didn't have the travel we had the previous year when we went off to Spain and China. Everything has been really settled bar a couple of injuries to Kaine Sheppard and Wes Hoolahan.
"On the flip side, the Mariners have pretty much rebuilt their team. There is a bit of an unknown quantity to them. We know they have some good players in the attacking third, but we have worked for 15 weeks to focus on us.
"Our principles of play are embedded after three years. We know we can beat anyone on our day."
The F3 Derby will signal the end of Zane's nine year tenure at the Jets.
He started as the W-League coach in 2011 and has also bee in charge of the youth team coach, Jets under-15s, was interim A-League coach and an assistant to Ernie Merrick, Mark Jones, Gary Van Egmond and Phil Stubbins.
"I have been lucky to work under some really good coaches and am really thankful for the Jets in building me up to the stage where I can move into a technical leadership role," Zane said. "That's credit to the club.
"The relationship between Northern NSW and the club is in a very good state. They were both accepting of my decision to take the role.
"I loved working under Jonesy. When Ernie came in, there is always a bit of doubt under a new coach. You have to start the whole process again of how they want to play, how is it going to work. I have been very lucky. Jonesy and Ernie have been two really good people to work under.
"The highlight was undoubtedly the grand final (in 2018). Being interim coach was a good experience. I love working on the development level, with youth level kids.
"I remember when I was in that position and trying to get through the things you needed to do. This generation it has become more difficult. Even though they have more resources, there is a lot more distractions.
"It's a case of trying to work out who the hungry ones are. That is part of the reason for moving sideways."