The Jets recruits returned to the national women's competition against their former club, Western Sydney, on the weekend following six and eight year hiatuses respectively.

Now, the midfield duo are set for their first home game in Newcastle with the Jets hosting Sydney FC at McDonald Jones Stadium on Friday (4:35pm).

"I'm so pumped to be playing in Newcastle," Bass, 25, said at training at No.2 Sportsground this week.

"It has already felt like such a supportive city and it seems like a lot of people rally around the Jets throughout the community.

"A few colleagues from work, my family and even some friends are coming out to the game. I'm just excited to be at home and to be at McDonald Jones Stadium."

Pollicina, 23, agreed and acknowledged the enthusiastic Jets Active supporters.

"The community is great here," Pollicina said.

"You walk the streets, people notice you play for the Jets and say 'go Jets'. You don't really get that in Sydney. We've also got a good little fan group, I think called Jets Active, and they were pretty loud supporting us on the weekend. I'm looking forward to the game."

Born and raised in the state capital, Bass in Gladesville and Pollicina in Cecil Hills, both graduated to the W-League ranks.

Young Matildas representative Bass debuted for Sydney FC in 2011-12 before playing four times for Wanderers the following season while Pollicina had a handful of outings for Western Sydney in 2014-15.

Since then both players have featured in the NSW Women's NPL. Bass also enjoyed a stint at US college while Pollicina cracked 100 goals overall in the country's toughest female futsal competition in 2019.

Last month, following a trial period, the pair were signed by Newcastle for the 2020-21 campaign.

Bass had already moved to the region for work while Pollicina relocated shortly after getting the nod.

Playing across the centre of the park, Jets coach Ash Wilson rated them among the best performers in a 2-1 loss to Wanderers in Saturday's opening round at Blacktown along with goal scorer Tara Andrews.

"To put the Jets colours on was a privilege and coming back into W-League after being out for so long felt really special," Pollicina said.

Bass said "it was really great to be back out there. Unfortunately the score didn't go our way but I think there were definitely some positives".

They said the Jets' long-term focus is "making finals" but know Sydney FC, three-time champions who have made four of the last five deciders, present a "big challenge" second up.

Earlier this week a consortium funded by the newly formed Australian Professional Leagues - a collective group created by club owners to run the elite domestic competitions - essentially stepped up to bail out the Jets for an indefinite period.

It came after Newcastle's previous W-League and A-League licence was terminated amid failures to pay an undisclosed amount of debts.

"To be honest we didn't get into any of the off-field stuff. Ash [Wilson] and Lawrie [McKinna] kept it really professional - we were always training and got the gear that we needed. So to get that ownership is a bonus but all the girls are here to represent the Jets," Pollicina said.

Bass said "we were well shielded from it but it's really nice to have that kind of assurance and it seems like a great direction for the club to go forward. A lot of people believe in Newcastle and believe they should have a team and can see merit in that".

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