When Hannah Brewer left Newcastle, she was considered one of the more experienced players in the Jets squad despite only being 21.
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The move to Melbourne was “to improve my own game” and now, after being one of three new recruits unveiled by Newcastle on Thursday, the Central Coast-born Brewer is ready to remain a Jet for life.
The former Australian under-17 player was 15 when she signed with the Jets for their maiden W-League season. She went on to make 46 appearances in six seasons before taking her football career in a different direction.
“I wanted to be playing with strong players, playing with players that had built their game already,” Brewer said.
“Lisa De Vanna was down there and she was really good for me. She pushed me to my limits. Just being part of a strong club in general, it was a move purely for that.
“There was nothing wrong with the Jets here but I was one of the more top players, you could say, and there were a lot of younger players under me and I still had way too much to learn to have players looking up to me, so it was a move I had to make.”
Brewer played the 2014-15 season with Melbourne Victory before taking a break from football the following summer to rediscover her love of the game.
She had a one-stint appearance for Melbourne City that season then found that love again last year in a stand-out season for Canberra United.
“I had a few tough experiences outside of football. I lost my nan and I was away at the time down in Melbourne,” she said.
“I just wanted to be around my family that year and just wanted to regather myself and reprepare for the next season, and it really did bring the love back for me.
“I enjoy playing football now. I’m back loving the game. Before it was like a job for me. I’m not coming to the end of my career yet but I think I’d like to finish here and be at one club for the rest of my time.”
W-League Jets coach Craig Deans named Brewer and fellow defenders Tash Prior and Nikola Orgill as new signings on Thursday.
Orgill, 24, joins the Jets after her debut national league season with Western Sydney Wanderers. Newcastle will be nineteen-year-old Prior’s first W-League experience.
“Hannah brings a lot of experience and leadership, and obviously playing ability as well and she’s going to be a really good signing for us,” Deans said.
“Nik is super fit, she’s young and she wants to learn. She’ll be a versatile player for us.
“Tash is only only young. She’s been around the Young Matildas squad for the last couple of years and has good football pedigree. She is a good, strong centre-back with some ability on the ball.”
Prior’s father Spencer played in England at Norwich City, Leicester City, Derby County and Manchester City.
Deans expected to announce four imports – a striker, goalkeeper, midfielder and “someone who is a little bit more versatile” – in coming weeks.
The Jets’ first game is at home on October 29.
