ROY O'Donovan knows the importance of being sharp. The Irishman has forged a career on it.
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O'Donovan is an in-the-box striker. Though capable of scoring from long-range, his modus operandi is turning off shoulders and making runs. Pushing. Probing. Looking for that split second where he can explode in front of a defender and meet a cross or collect a through ball.
And with less than a month before the Jets reboot their A-League campaign against Sydney on July 21, O'Donovan is getting to work.
The 34-year-old did plenty of miles on the road during the shutdown, now it's about getting match fit.
"Because we didn't know when we were coming back, we had to be ready," O'Donovan said. "Brice Johnson (strength and conditioning coach) has been brilliant. The amount of information he has given us over the past couple of months to keep us ready and sharp. Everybody has come back in great condition. Now it's time to get football-fit again rather than gym-fit or road running-fit."
The Jets resumed team training last Wednesday. Friendlies, other than intraclub hit outs, are not permitted due to COVID-19 restrictions, meaning all the preparation is done on the training pitch
"The next couple of weeks will be good for me," O'Donovan said. "I play a high intensity game. That is what we are building into. Being sharp in those important moments. That's when you need your sharpness. In those important moments when you get your chances. Being a little bit sharper than the defender, that's the trick."
O'Donovan has netted three goals in seven games since returning to the Jets from Brisbane on the final day of the January transfer window.
"We didn't want leave in the first place last year," O'Donovan said. "It was one of those things. The contract talks fell away but it has all worked out in the end.
"It's great to be back. I have enjoyed playing under Carl [Robinson]. I love a manager and coaching staff that is brave enough to play attacking football, try and create chances and hurt teams.
"With likes of [wingbacks] Matt Millar, Bobby Burns before he left, and now Connor O'Toole. I love their energy. You have to use their engines. For me I am the last cog in the wheel. I have to make my runs and make sure when they put the ball into space that I am there.
"Their energy will help the likes of Dimi and myself by creating space. I just can't wait to get going."
After Sydney, the Jets meet the Mariners on July 24 before hosting Western United (August 3) and Wellington (August 11).
They sit on 24 points, three points behind sixth-place Western United, who have two games in hand.
"If we finish in the six, we will have earned it," O'Donovan said. "We need some results to go our way, but if we can look after our own business, no matter what happens, we can hold our heads high. Everything else we have no control over. If we can get off to a good start we can set a tome and kick on from there."
"It is very important that we are raring to go because I'm sure other teams will be training hard. Teams like Adelaide, who had a bit of a dip before the break, might be freshened up. There are lots of different ways to look at it. We just have to do our job."
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