So when we lost our inspirational skipper Nikolai Topor-Stanley to an overseas club during the week, I knew it was up to our senior players to stand up and be counted against Adelaide United.

I fall under that umbrella as one of the Wanderers last remaining players from the early years alongside Shannon Cole. 

Being able to bring that experience to the table is something I enjoy.

Given the circumstances of our match in Adelaide, it’s also something I knew we needed with our backs against the wall.

Fortunately on the weekend that translated on the scoreboard.

For me to be able to score twice and help us snatch a come-from-behind 2-1 win was more than I could have hoped for. 

But more importantly than my goals in my opinion was the character all the boys showed in the grand final rematch. 

To come back from a goal down, away from home and against the defending premiers is something we can truly be proud.

After our opening round loss and disappointing performance against bitter rivals Sydney FC, it was vital that we responded in Adelaide.

Fortunately we were able to do so.

We know we are a good side that has just gone through a bit of a transition so the three points will undoubtedly give us a huge boost as a squad. 

A big shout out has to go to young defender Jonathan Aspro.

He did a great job slotting in in the centre of defence just a few days after we found out Nikolai was leaving for overseas.

Before Nikolai left to chase a well-deserved overseas deal, Jonathan was able to learn a lot from his fellow centre back, who is an outstanding player and even better leader.

That allowed Jonathan to slot on seamlessly when we needed him to.

Hopefully he and the rest of us can continue in the same vein when we come up against an in-form Newcastle Jets team this weekend.

The Jets are also a squad that went through a massive transition stage in the off-season.

From the players to the coaching staff to the owner, almost everything has changed.

But that hasn’t stopped them from starting the season in pretty strong fashion.

We have absolutely no doubts that they will be buzzing from their demolition of the Brisbane Roar at home last weekend.

They’re undefeated and aren’t going to want to give up that tag when we meet on Sunday afternoon. 

In my eyes the key man for them will be Andrew Nabbout.

As a whole they recruited really well in the off-season, but Nabbout has to be close to the top of the pile of all the guys they brought it.

He’s a danger man and we will be keeping a close eye on him. 

The match will be the first at our new home ground, Spotless Stadium. 

With Parramatta Stadium getting an upgrade, we make the jump across to the Olympic Park for the next few seasons.

While it’s a fair bit different to Wanderland, as a club we are still keen to make it a fortress.

A win this weekend against Newcastle will help that cause.