A-League: Jets set for fresh look as Arthur Papas era kicks off with FFA Cup qualifier against Western United

Papas is unlikely to finalise his squad for the FFA Cup qualifier in Geelong until Thursday, but goalkeeper Jack Duncan and midfielder Angus Thurgate appear to be the only incumbents set to hold their positions.

Duncan is the first-choice keeper ahead of Noah James and Michael Weir, who is on the mend from minor knee surgery.

Thurgate has been one of the standouts in the pre-season and his high-octane game - with and without the ball - is perfectly suited to Papas' high tempo, aggressive, pressing style.

From the Jets side that beat Melbourne City 2-1 in the final round last season, Nigel Boogaard, Nikolai Topor-Stanley, Matt Millar, Roy O'Donovan and Ali Abbas have departed.

Veteran defender Jason Hoffman and teenager Lucas Mauragis are in contention for a starting spot, but it will hinge on what Papas opts to do at left back, where Dylan Murnane and Riley Warland have also been used.

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Mauragis finished last campaign as the starting wingback on the left but has been away on international duty with the Olyroos for the past three weeks and had to undergo quarantine on returning.

Jordan O'Doherty, a late arrival last season, is vying for a place in midfield.

Teenager striker Archie Goodwin is not fully fit.

After the Jets only just avoided the wooden spoon last season, Papas put a broom through the roster.

Fifteen fresh faces were ushered in, headed by foreigners Beka Mikletadze, Daniel Penha, Olivier Boumal, Savvas Siatravanis and Mario Arques.

Arques has only been out of quarantine three weeks and is unlikely to be involved against Western United.

The front third is where Papas has the most options.

Mikletadze, Penha and Siatravanis scored and Boumal provided an assist in the 6-3 win over Macarthur on Friday. Sammy Silvera, Valentino Yuel and Kosta Petratos also hit the target.

"The pleasing part of the last game was the amount of different goal-scorers, which is really important for us," Papas said. "We are not reliant on one person to score goals.

"In every position there are a couple of people fighting for a spot. And we have versatility to move too if we have to."

Jets (possible): Jack Duncan; Dylan Murnane, Matt Jurman, Jordan Elsey, Dane Ingham; Kosta Grozos, Angus Thurgate; Daniel Penha; Olivier Boumal, Beka Mikeltadze, Savvas Siatravanis

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