Coach Brad Jones believes Adriana Jones will provide the spark New Lambton are missing as the defending champions eye their first win of the season when they host Thornton at Arthur Edden Oval on Sunday.
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The former W-League striker and 2016 Herald Women's Premier League leading goalscorer returned to the competition this season after a three-year absence and made two appearances for Broadmeadow before parting ways with Magic.
She was unveiled as the Eagles' new signing on Friday in a move the coach hopes can put their championship defence back on track.
"We're very excited," the Eagles coach said. "She's a proven goalscorer in leagues across the world and one of the things that we've said over the past few weeks is we need a bit more of that composure in the front third.
"Whilst our younger strikers are doing a really good job, we're actually just not being clinical and I think they can learn a lot from tapping into AJ's experience.
"She brings a natural desire to score goals but her signing is also a great thing for what we're trying to do with our young team, to give them somebody that they can learn from."
New Lambton have taken just one point from five outings to be seventh and six points adrift of the top four. But, aside from a 3-0 defeat to Mid Coast in round four, the other losses have been by only a one-goal scoreline.
The Redbacks are last on zero points from four games and the round-six match is the first of a tough fortnight in which Thornton play five games.
"We're aiming for three points and I expect the performance to be the same as last week with the want of a clinical finish, but I'm certainly not banking on three points," the Eagles coach said.
Warners Bay will be full of confidence when they host Merewether at John Street Oval on Sunday. The Panthers joined competition leaders Newcastle Olympic on nine points and atop the table with a 2-1 win over the Eagles in the only game to go ahead last weekend. United are third with eight points and remain the only unbeaten team in the league.
Newcastle Olympic and Broadmeadow Magic (six points) meet at Darling Street Oval.
Adamstown travel to Taree to play Mid Coast without injured goalkeeper Olivia Sneddon. Taking her place with be reserve-grade shot-stopper Alexandra Tagaroulias.
All games kick off at 3pm on Sunday.
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Renee Valentine
Renee Valentine is a sports journalist with more than 20 years of experience in Newcastle. She is passionate about increasing the visibility of sportswomen in the media. Got a sports story, email Renee at r.valentine@newcastleherald.com.au
Renee Valentine is a sports journalist with more than 20 years of experience in Newcastle. She is passionate about increasing the visibility of sportswomen in the media. Got a sports story, email Renee at r.valentine@newcastleherald.com.au
