The Jets' top-four hopes were dealt a blow in the six-goal thriller at Latrobe City Stadium on Sunday. The damage was done in the first half with Newcastle trailing 3-0 at the break.

But Wilson was buoyed to see how her charges got back in the game at 3-2 with 14 minutes remaining before conceding again.

"The response from the girls at half-time was excellent," Wilson said.

"They didn't just go into their shells and concede defeat. They went back out there and they gave a better reflection of themselves. I think they're still not performing at the level that they can, or they didn't in that game, so we still want to see them rise to the occasion. But the way they responded to that was positive."

The Jets mentor was also full of praise for long-serving Newcastle striker Tara Andrews, who confidently stated in a half-time television interview that the game was far from over.

It was the twice-capped Matilda who led the way in the second half, scoring from Gema Simon's free kick in the 48th minute then winning the ball around halfway to initiate another in the 76th.

Andrews laid the ball off to Tessa Tamplin and the young right-back sent a searching long ball into Victory's final third for attacking midfielder Rhianna Pollicina to half-volley over the head of Victory goalkeeper Gabriela Garton and into the net.

"I thought Tara was again excellent," Wilson said. "Just the presence and the threat she poses up front and, in the second half in particular, the way she was able to bring people into the game and then score off a set piece. She's always calm and composed and in the right area for those."

Composure under pressure will continue to be a key focus as they eye another trip to Melbourne to battle City in round eight on Saturday. Both teams have four points to be sixth and seventh respectively and six points outside the top four.

"No games are easy when you're in the position we're in," Wilson said. "You are fighting, week in and week out to get those points to be able to keep your hopes alive.

"You have to keep treating every game like it is semi-final football almost."

Jets centre-back Hannah Brewer (ankle) and Cassidy Davis (chin) both required medical attention late in the round-seven clash with Victory but Wilson said post-match neither were serious concerns.

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