Jets young gun Kosta Grozos fit and ready to fire in derby

He played 23 minutes off the bench in a 2-1 win over the Central Coast in the opening round of the 2019-20 season.

The attacking midfielder made seven appearances in his maiden campaign, but started in just one.

Last season, Grozos also featured in the season opener, an 11 minute cameo in a1-0 loss to Macarthur. It was his only game time for the campaign.

Now at the Jets, after impressing in a three-month trial, Grozos is again set to be involved in round one.

The 21-year-old is likely to start in midfield against the Mariners at McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday.

This time, he is far better prepared.

Condition-wise he is in career-best shape. And significantly he is full of confidence.

"This season, I am way more prepared physically and mentally," Grozos said. "As a young one coming up, you have to show the coaches and the older players what you can do."

Silken skilled, Grozos has played the majority of his career as an attacking midfielder.

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However, with Spanish playmaker Mario Arques still not 100 per cent after a setback following quarantine, Grozos has been deployed in a deeper role, with success.

He was strong in a 6-3 win over Macarthur in a friendly and was equally commanding in the unlucky 2-1 loss to Western United in the FFA Cup qualifier last Saturday.

"I have grown up playing as a 10, but in this playing style, I like the six," Grozos said. "I get more on the ball. And I think getting on the ball more will help my game get better."

Grozos has been at pre-season training since day one and said the extended preparation had helped the new-look team gel.

"A long pre-season isn't always the best, but in these circumstances most of us are living away from home and it has given us a family-type relationship," he said. "Now we are ready. It's the first game and a derby. What more motivation do you need other than that.

The Mariners were big improvers last year. They have a new coach in former captain Nick Montgomery and although they have turned over a number of players, the spine - Mark Birighitti, Ruon Tongyik Oliver Bozanic and Marco Urena - remains formidable.

"They are a physical team," Grozos said. "We know how they play, we know what they do. It is a matter of keeping our emotions controlled. Don't let the derby get to us. Play our game, play our football and I think everything else will turn out the way it should."

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