Jets stalwart Tara Andrews is relishing her added responsibility up front as she looks to push her claims for a Matildas comeback.
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The 26-year-old has scored a goal in both of Newcastle's 2-1 losses to start the W-League campaign and she will again be their target in attack on Sunday when they host ladder leaders Canberra at McDonald Jones Stadium.
Her goals against Western Sydney and Sydney took Andrews, Newcastle's all-time leading scorer, to 36 in her 96-game career for the Jets.
Although a mainstay of the Jets squad, Andrews has played as a No.10 or an attacking option off the bench when Newcastle brought in US imports in past campaigns.
Last year, she was back up top and led the Jets' scorers with five goals in 12 games as they finished last.
The departures of Jenna Kingsley, Teigan Collister and Nikki Flannery from last season's squad have made Andrews even more vital to the Jets' new-look attack and she was enjoying the challenge.
"I've scored two goals now so I'm going to keep taking confidence from that and hopefully take that confidence into the next couple of games," Andrews said at training on Tuesday.
"I'm most comfortable in the nine position, I've played 10 in previous years but I think being back up the top, I like that the most.
"And being close to goal, I can score more goals."
Andrews played twice for the Matildas in 2015 and she hoped for a return, especially with Australia and New Zealand hosting the 2023 World Cup.
"I'll push for it and I'll see what happens," she said.
"I'll play as well as I can during W-League and whatever happens from that, I'll just run with it.
"I think now we've got the 2023 World Cup, I think a lot of girls are probably in the same position, where we really want it. That passion has come back and we really want to push for that."
The Jets are last but they have shown encouraging signs in the opening two games. Andrews' goal in the 41st minute last Friday put them ahead against Sydney, and they dominated late in the loss to the Wanderers.
Andrews believed they just needed to show more composure in attack.
"I think we panic on the ball a little bit, just our passes to each other, just simple stuff, our decision-making," she said. "So we definitely will be working on keeping the ball this week, and our decision-making in the final third and making sure we put those chances away."
Meanwhile, Melbourne City have signed Norwegian midfielder Noor Eckhoff as they try to turn around their stuttering start to the W-League season.
The youth international, 21, joins a City team who have slumped to one draw and two losses, including a 6-0 derby hammering from Melbourne Victory.
"The opportunity to go abroad and play at the highest level in a league that is highly rated was very appealing to me," Eckhoff said.
"... I hope to add more power in the midfield and make sure our team stays compact in defence and in balance when attacking."
Eckhoff will link with fellow new signing and fringe Matilda Alex Chidiac in City's midfield.
"As our last signing for this campaign, Noor will add experience and aggressiveness to our midfield," City football director Michael Petrillo said.
"She is a Norwegian youth international, experienced in a top European competition, technically adept and is a proven winner."
Eckhoff won't be available for Sunday's derby rematch as she is in hotel quarantine in Perth until January 20, the day before City's away game against Adelaide.