The championship-winning Brisbane Roar and Central Coast Mariners outfits that Fitzgerald were a part of had a similar feeling.

The Jets' stunning 2-1 win over runaway league leaders Sydney FC on Tuesday night - Newcastle's first competition game in four months - was the one-time wooden-spoon favourite's fourth victory in the past five matches.

Stone motherless last when Carl Robinson was appointed coach after round 17, the Jets have climbed to eighth spot, three points behind sixth-placed Adelaide.

They meet cellar dwellers Central Coast at Gosford on Friday night before closing the season against Western United at home and Wellington Phoenix (Jubilee Oval).

Three wins would propel them to 36 points.

Adelaide (30 points), who have four games remaining, appear the only top six team the Jets could realistically overhaul.

Western United (27 points) have six games to play and also have an eye on the Reds, who meet four teams above them - Wellington, Perth, Sydney and Melbourne City.

"It is difficult because some teams have five games to play, some have three," Fitzgerald said. "It's hard to look at it mathematically. It is disappointing that we have to rely on other results to go our way. We just need to go about our business, look forward and keep playing great football. Momentum is a massive thing.

"There is such a good feeling within this group. The Brisbane and Mariners teams that I have been a part of which went on to win it, had that same feeling.

"Just the enjoyment of football and the enjoyment of being around each other. You can't buy that, you can't manufacture it ... it's a feeling you have within the squad. All the boys, whether they are starting, whether that are on the bench or not in the squad, they are all contributing and they are all happy to be here.

"It was a great result against Sydney. But since we came back in five or so weeks ago, it has been a great feeling. We knew exactly the type of football we wanted to play and we knew the positions we needed to be in. It's not a coincidence, it is the hard work that the coaching staff and the boys put in."

The Jets' win over Sydney, their first away victory over the Sky Blues since 2012, followed a 2-1 disposal of second-placed Melbourne City in the final game before the league was suspended on March 24 due to COVID-19.

"If that doesn't give the players confidence, I don't know what will?," Robinson said. "It wasn't a smash and grab, it was a terrific controlled performance.

"We caused the best team in the league a few problems and we obviously took our chances, which is important. Having said that, the game is gone now. Three points are on the board and we move ahead."

On Tuesday night, Fitzgerald produced a acrobatic scissor kick in the 58th to draw level with Sydney before substitute Kosta Petratos scored with winner in stoppage time.

"I saw the ball coming to the back stick and thought why not?," Fitzgerald said "Nine times out of ten, I would probably put it in the grandstand or along the ground. This one happened to catch the right part of my foot and went in the bottom corner."

Petratos goal was equally well-taken, turning away from a defending on the edge of the box and angling a drive into the right corner.

Both goal-scorers have found a new lease on life under Robinson.

"I was pleased for Kosta because the amount of work he puts in is second to none," Robinson said. "He doesn't complain, he doesn't moan ... my advice to him all the time has been to keep going. Football is a pretty simple game. If you cut corners at any time, you get found out. If you don't cut corners, then good things happen. That certainly happened for Kosta."

If the Jets are continue their run, Bernie Ibini will have a major bearing. The former Socceroos made his starting debut for the Jets as a running No.10 and constantly tore the Sydney defence open.

"It's about players believing in themselves," Robinson said. "Part of a coaches job is to instill confidence in them.

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"Bernie has the talent and ability to play at a very, very high level. He showed that. There were moments when he picked the ball up and drove. His final third quality wasn't at the level we want it to be but he brings so much to this team, as does Fitz."

The Mariners have lost eleven games straight and have conceded a whopping 52 goals.

"We have to go in with the same mentality, it does matter the opposition," Fitzgerald said. "We know the t's important to get on the front foot and if we can get an early goal, that sets the tone.

"It's just important that we get the three points. It's a game that we always want to win because it is against the Mariners and its a derby. Mentally we have to really switch on."

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