The Jets finalised preparations for their A-League opener at home on Sunday with an unlucky 2-1 defeat to Western United in an FFA Cup qualifier in Geelong.

The visitors were wrongly denied a goal in the 30th minute which, undoubtedly, would have changed the course of the game.

Brazilian Daniel Penha turned heads with a blistering freekick, but ultimately, the Jets paid the price for two errors, both involving keeper Jack Duncan.

As a result of the loss on Saturday night, Newcastle will not feature in the main draw of the national knockout for the first time since its inception in 2014.

Although a bitter pill to swallow, Papas was not discouraged by the performance.

The Jets dominated possession with 59 per cent and won the shot count 21-6. They looked the more fluid and connected of the two teams despite having eight fresh faces.

And if not for outstanding shot-stopping by Western United keeper Jamie Young, they would have earned a momentum-gaining win.

"Performance-wise it was positive," Papas said. "The second half, in particular, was the best half of football we have played against an A-League team.

"We didn't get the result. We made some costly errors, but I was proud of the way we ran the game out, the way we persevered, the way we reacted to going a goal down."

Papas, as well as overhaul the roster, has introduced a possession-based, up-tempo playing style since he took control in July.

"I have been pretty clear on the way I want to play," the coach said. "It was evident that the players have embraced that. I was pleased with the consistency we showed with the ball and the way we moved.

"I thought we were very aggressive without the ball as well. Many times we got it right, sometimes we didn't get it right. They are areas to improve on.

"Overall, I was petty proud of that performance. We want to turn it into a W of course. That is part of the process going forward."

The Jets begin the season with an F3 derby against arch rivals the Central Coast at McDonald Jones Stadium. The Mariners were the surprise packet of last season and have again impressed in the pre-season.

They beat NSW NPL club Blacktown City 1-0 on Saturday to progress to the final 16 of the FFA Cup. That win followed a 3-0 victory over Sydney FC last week.

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Papas has no doubts the Jets will be ready.

"I have belief in this group," Papas said. "The way it has come together, the way they are working every day. A result doesn't change that. The most important thing is that they believe in what is happening, and you can see it on the park."

Papas will review the defeat to Western United and look at the Mariners before determining an XI for Sunday - his maiden A-League game in charge.

"The group has pulled up really well," he said. "Physically, you could see in the last 20 minutes that we have the legs to run out a game strongly. "We will have a lot of players up for selection. It is a new week and we start again. The XI that started this game did well.

"I thought the players who came on did well. [Replacements] Sammy Silvera, Eli Babalj and Val Yuel were aggressive, were trying to create things, they worked hard and that is important. On another day, Val could have scored a couple. He forced a couple of good saves,

"There are players who weren't selected that could be an option. Every week is a new week. We will access it on it's merits as the week progresses."

Spanish midfielder Mario Arques and left back Dylan Murnane are close to peak fitness and will also be in contention.

"Dylan and Mario trained really well on Saturday," Papas said.

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