By Blake Jarrett

Newcastle Jets Youth vs. Lambton Jaffas FC
Arthur Edden Oval
Saturday 6th September 3pm
Preliminary Final
#NEWvJAF

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Spring is finally here and that means one thing; the National Premier League has reached the business end of the season.

This Saturday Lambton Jaffas host the Newcastle Jets Youth in the Preliminary Final at Arthur Edden Oval.

The Jets Youth finished the season in first place. Ten wins and four draws saw them finish on a total of thirty-four points, nineteen more than in 2013 when they finished second last.

The Jaffas finished two points short of their 2013 tally of thirty-two. Nine wins and three draws saw them finish the season in third.

Both sides are in this match due to 3-2 defeats at the hands of Weston. The Jets Youth had a break in the first week of finals then lost at Rockwell Automation Park last week. Jaffas lost there in the first week and defeated Charlestown 3-1 last Sunday at Blacksmiths Oval.

It has been well documented that the Jets Youth were one of the best sides in the competition in 2014. The way they move the ball around and execute their attacking plays make travelling to watch them an enjoyable experience.

In the last few matches, however, they seem to have lost their way a touch. Last week especially, they were outplayed by the Bears.

A three week break after becoming Premiers, and a lack of training due to weather was largely responsible for this. This weekend is the final roll of the dice, so the side will be aware they need to regain the form that saw them finish on top of the table of the table.

The Jaffas on the other hand, are fired up and ready to go. On Sunday after his side’s 3-1 defeat of Charlestown, Jaffas coach David Tanchevski said that ‘we are extremely confident after today’s performance’.

‘We’ve played well twice against Jets so we will not fear them,’ he said.

‘We are very aware of Brandon Lundy’s pace and the threat he poses so we will work on that’.

With Luke Remington sidelined for the remainder of the season after dislocating his shoulder against Weston, Riley McNaughton has come in and was exceptional last weekend against Charlestown.

Jobe Wheelhouse’s move into the centre of the park, and Michael Sessions into the centre of defence has also been a game changer for the side.

For one team this is the final match of the year. Neither will want it to be them, and consequently this match will be competitive and full of attacking flair as the sides battle for a spot in the 2014 NPL Grand Final.