It was one of those days where the best-laid plans were backed up with a very solid performance, but the result slipped agonisingly away in the final minutes, as the Jets were reeled in late by last season's minor premiers, Perth Glory.
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The result left the home fans at McDonald Jones Stadium unsure whether to feel a pang of despair, or upbeat and optimistic after a mature and calculated approach had carried the side to the brink of the season's first victory.
For my money, a little bit of both seemed the appropriate sentiment. The plan to stymie the creative threat of Perth guns Castro and Fornaroli through a slightly deeper and narrower defensive set-up was very effective until fatigue set in, as was the speed in transition, born from that defensive platform.
In the cold light of hindsight, a draw was probably about the right result, after penalty claims and chances spurned are taken into account. Perth built a decent amount of pressure late in the game, with controlled possession, and the prompting of Castro. They hit the crossbar twice and generally never panicked or lost belief.
When you consider that the Jets haven't beaten Perth in Newcastle since 2011, you can look at the late loss of two points wistfully, or conclude that a draw is a satisfactory return, all things considered.
Those who can remember last season's clash, at a similar stage of the season, may recall the Jets clearly dominating the game, against a deliberately submissive Glory side , and losing 2-0.
Which is better? I know what I prefer.
I thought the Jets' approach on Saturday gave them their best chance of winning and the players applied themselves manfully to their tactical assignments.
Nikolai Topor-Stanley and Lachlan Jackson, in particular, were immense at the heart of the defence. Perhaps the team's poorest slice of luck was the ball squirting out of the goalmouth melee in the 86th minute to the one bloke you don't want it to, Diego Castro.
His calm and composed finish through a sea of legs was 100 per cent normal for a player of his calibre and technical prowess. It was a reminder that in a tight competition, the output of the talisman, or men, in the various squads, will be more important than ever.
Riley McGree and James Troisi's late combination in Adelaide, and Ola Toivonen's quality equaliser for Melbourne Victory against a packed and desperate Wellington defence, remind us of that.
All of which leaves the Jets travelling to Geelong on Saturday night to face the A-League' s new boys, Western United, with only two points in the bank, and without Abdiel Arroyo, Matthew Ridenton and Bobby Burns, who are on international duty.
That loss, combined with Nigel Boogaard's groin strain and the long-term injuries to Wes Hoolahan and Kaine Sheppard, will test the depth of the club's roster.
Western United have started the season well and have the organisation and discipline that coach Mark Rudan's teams are noted for.
They have shown they can cope and adjust as situations demand.
They also have excellent penalty-box strikers in Besart Berisha and Scott MacDonald to sniff out half-chances, and reward good crosses.
They shape as a serious assignment for Ernie Merrick's team, particularly given the absences from his squad and the form of the opposition.
I'm inclined to agree with Ernie, that the Jets have performed better than their two points indicate.
Six or seven wouldn't have flattered them.
But a difficult road trip, followed by a week off, could leave the team somewhat adrift of the top teams and facing scoreboard pressure to maintain contact with the top six.
Merrick will have put on the thinking cap for extended hours this week, come game time.
Kantarovski coming in for Ridenton seems a given.
Is the skipper fit? Does the "Hoff" go to centre forward and prove his versatility once again? Thurgate in midfield? Petratos as a genuine No.10, or dropping in off the front three? Ah, the options. Easy being a coach, eh!
I feel like I should offer a prize to any reader who can name the line-up, and formation, five days out from the game. As such I don't envy the assignment Merrick is confronted with this week.
But like a true punter, I will have a stab, on the proviso Boogaard returns from injury.
Jackson goes to left back, Kantarovski comes in as a holding midfielder, allowing Ugarkovic and Koutroumbis to provide the most athletic midfield combination available, against an older combination for United.
Petratos, Hoffman and Fitzgerald would then provide a very mobile front three.
Then again, he could opt for a back three, with Boogaard between NTS and Jackson, allowing Millar and Koutroumbis to play as wing-backs, Kantarovski and Ugarkovic to anchor midfield, free Petratos as a 10, and play Hoffman and Fitzgerald as a narrower front two to start with, leaving the channels open to exploit with their mobility.
What do you think? More importantly what will opposing coach Rudan surmise?
Could be a mystery all-round, really. With a happy conclusion, please.